Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - EMC INSURANCE GROUP INCearnings8k2018630.htm
EXHIBIT 99

imagea02a05.jpg


NEWS RELEASE

EMC Insurance Group Inc. Reports 2018 Second Quarter and Six Month Results

Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2018
Net Loss Per Share - ($0.24)
Non-GAAP Operating Loss Per Share* - ($0.02)
Net Realized Investment Losses and Change in Net Unrealized
Investment Gains on Equity Investments Per Share - ($0.22)
Catastrophe and Storm Losses Per Share - $0.61
GAAP Combined Ratio - 109.8 percent

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
Net Loss Per Share - ($0.24)
Non-GAAP Operating Income Per Share* - $0.18
Net Realized Investment Losses and Change in Net Unrealized
Investment Gains on Equity Investments Per Share - ($0.42)
Catastrophe and Storm Losses Per Share - $0.78
GAAP Combined Ratio - 107.2 percent


2018 Non-GAAP Operating Income Guidance* of $0.95 to $1.15 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 (August 7, 2018) - EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Nasdaq:EMCI) (the “Company”), today reported a net loss of $5.0 million ($0.24 per share) and a loss and settlement expense ratio of 75.4 percent for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to net income of $5.5 million ($0.26 per share) and a loss and settlement expense ratio of 71.6 percent for the second quarter of 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company reported a net loss of $5.1 million ($0.24 per share) and a loss and settlement expense ratio of 73.2 percent, compared to net income of $12.3 million ($0.58 per share) and a loss and settlement expense ratio of 69.1 percent for the same period in 2017. Included in the net loss reported for the second quarter and first six months of 2018 are declines of $447,000 and $10.3 million, respectively, in unrealized investment gains on the Company’s equity investments as required by updated accounting guidance adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018. Excluding these amounts, the primary driver of the declines in net income reported for the second quarter and first six months of 2018 is a high level of non-catastrophe losses in the property and casualty insurance segment, partially offset by strong results in the reinsurance segment. Also contributing to the net losses reported for the second quarter and first six months of 2018 are $5.4 million and $952,000, respectively, of pre-tax realized investment losses, compared to $3.4 million and $2.8 million of pre-tax realized investment gains included in net income for the same periods in 2017. The income tax expense/benefit amounts reported for 2018 reflect the new 21 percent federal corporate tax rate, compared to the 35 percent federal corporate tax rate in effect in 2017.

The high level of non-catastrophe losses experienced by the property and casualty insurance segment during the second quarter of 2018 is primarily attributed to the workers’ compensation line of business,



and stems from an adjustment made to the first quarter 2018 ultimate loss and settlement expense ratio projection during the second quarter. This was deemed necessary after it became apparent that the ultimate loss and settlement expense ratio established for the first quarter of 2018 needed to be revised due to unanticipated increases in both the frequency and severity of first quarter reported losses as claims emerged during second quarter. The increases in frequency and severity experienced on first quarter reported losses represents a significant departure from recent activity, and management continues to analyze the underlying data to validate the adequacy of the revised ultimate loss and settlement expense ratio established for the first quarter of 2018, and will act on a timely basis if additional revisions are deemed necessary. Based on initial observations, reported losses stemming from second quarter 2018 claims appear to be much lower than what was experienced on first quarter claims.

“Workers’ compensation has been one of our best performing lines of business over the past few years,” stated President and Chief Executive Officer Bruce G. Kelley. “Our loss control services and various loss control programs, such as our select provider and return to work programs, helped mitigate the frequency and severity of losses during the past few years when mandatory rate decreases were being implemented. This resulted in the establishment of relatively stable ultimate loss and settlement expense ratios during those years. When the first quarter 2018 ultimate projection was determined to be inadequate, management responded swiftly and implemented a revised projection.”

Kelley continued, “The commercial auto and personal lines of business continue to under-perform expectations, but we remain committed to the initiatives we are implementing to return those lines of business to profitability.”

“Our reinsurance segment continues to perform well, and has achieved double-digit growth in premiums written during the first half of the year. We will continue to capitalize on opportunities for new business in the marketplace and increase participation on our best accounts whenever possible,” concluded Kelley.

Non-GAAP operating loss, which excludes net realized investment gains/losses and the change in net unrealized investment gains/losses on equity investments from net income/loss, totaled $365,000 ($0.02 per share) for the second quarter of 2018, compared to operating income of $3.3 million ($0.16 per share) for the second quarter of 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company reported non-GAAP operating income of $3.8 million ($0.18 per share), compared to $10.5 million ($0.49 per share) for the same period in 2017.

The Company’s GAAP combined ratio was 109.8 percent in the second quarter of 2018, compared to 105.0 percent in the second quarter of 2017. For the first six months of 2018, the Company’s GAAP combined ratio was 107.2 percent, compared to 103.2 percent in 2017. There was significant disparity by segment as the GAAP combined ratio totaled 115.0 percent and 111.3 percent in the property and casualty insurance segment, compared to 92.2 percent and 93.9 percent in the reinsurance segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted updated accounting guidance issued by the FASB which prohibits including components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs/income, other than the service cost component, in any capitalized asset. In conjunction with the adoption of this updated guidance, management elected to report all components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, other than the service cost component, as other income in the consolidated statements of income. The service cost component continues to be reported in other underwriting expenses. This change in reporting was applied retrospectively for comparison purposes and did not impact the net income/loss or non-GAAP operating income amounts reported for the second quarter and first six months of 2018 and 2017, as other income and other underwriting expenses increased by the same amount; however, it did increase the acquisition expense ratios, and therefore the combined ratios, by 1.2 percentage points for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 0.9 percentage points for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.




Premiums earned increased 5.4 percent and 6.6 percent for the second quarter and first six months of 2018, respectively. In the property and casualty insurance segment, premiums earned increased 4.6 percent and 4.5 percent for the second quarter and first six months of 2018, respectively. These increases reflect small rate level increases on renewal business, an increase in retained policies in the commercial lines of business, and new business in both commercial and personal lines of business. In the reinsurance segment, premiums earned increased 8.3 percent and 14.1 percent for the second quarter and first six months of 2018, respectively. These increases are attributed to increases in participation on existing multi-line contracts, property per risk contracts, and a specialty casualty contract, higher estimated premiums on a large offshore energy contract within the pro rata line of business, and the addition of some new business. This was partially offset by a continued decline in Mutual Re (formerly Mutual Reinsurance Bureau) underwriting association premiums stemming from its withdrawal from non-standard automobile business.

Catastrophe and storm losses totaled $16.7 million ($0.61 per share after tax) and $21.4 million ($0.78 per share after tax) for the second quarter and first six months of 2018, compared to $15.1 million ($0.46 per share after tax) and $28.5 million ($0.87 per share after tax) for the same periods in 2017, respectively. On a segment basis, catastrophe and storm losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, amounted to $15.7 million ($0.57 per share after tax) and $20.0 million ($0.73 per share after tax) in the property and casualty insurance segment, and $1.0 million ($0.04 per share after tax) and $1.4 million ($0.05 per share after tax) in the reinsurance segment, respectively.

No recoveries were made under the property and casualty insurance segment’s intercompany excess of loss reinsurance treaty with Employers Mutual Casualty Company (Employers Mutual) covering the first half of 2018, primarily due to the relatively low amount of catastrophe and storm losses incurred during the first quarter of 2018. Catastrophe and storm losses in the property and casualty insurance segment were capped at $10.2 million in the second quarter of 2017 under the intercompany reinsurance treaty covering the first half of 2017, with $16.0 million of catastrophe and storm losses ceded to Employers Mutual. Because of the cap on 2017 losses, the property and casualty insurance segment reported a higher level of catastrophe and storm losses in the second quarter of 2018 than the second quarter of 2017. This increase was partially offset by a $3.9 million decline in catastrophe and storm losses in the reinsurance segment over the same period.

The Company reported $511,000 ($0.01 per share after tax) and $6.1 million ($0.22 per share after tax) of favorable development on prior years’ reserves during the second quarter and first six months of 2018, respectively, compared to $1.7 million ($0.05 per share after tax) of adverse development and $13.2 million ($0.40 per share after tax) of favorable development for the same periods in 2017. The favorable development reported for the second quarter of 2018 occurred in the property and casualty insurance segment, but was partially offset by adverse development in the reinsurance segment. In the property and casualty insurance segment, favorable development totaled $3.2 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared to $850,000 in 2017. The majority of this favorable development occurred in the commercial liability line of business, reflecting reductions in the ultimate loss ratios for several accident years due to declines in expected frequency and/or severity. This favorable development was partially offset by adverse development in the workers’ compensation line of business, as the severity assumption for several prior accident years (mainly 2017) was revised upwards. Included in the development amounts reported for the second quarter and first six months of 2017 are $1.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively, 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. In the reinsurance segment, adverse development totaled $2.6 million in the second quarters of both 2018 and 2017.

Net investment income increased 5.4 percent and 4.4 percent to $11.8 million and $23.1 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2018, from $11.2 million and $22.2 million for the same periods in 2017, respectively. These increases are primarily attributed to growth in the fixed maturity portfolio and higher interest rates.




The pre-tax realized investment losses of $5.4 million and $952,000 reported for the second quarter and first six months of 2018 include a pre-tax realized investment loss of $1.7 million and a pre-tax realized investment gain of $78,000, respectively, generated from changes 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). Pre-tax realized investment gains of $3.4 million and $2.8 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2017 include $1.3 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of pre-tax realized investment losses attributed to a decline in the carrying value of this limited partnership.

Other income totaled $2.8 million and $4.4 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2018, respectively, and includes $1.9 million and $3.7 million of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, and $678,000 and $242,000 of foreign currency exchange gains. In the second quarter and first six months of 2017, other income totaled $1.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively, and includes $1.3 million and $2.6 million of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, and $529,000 and $1.1 million of foreign currency exchange losses.

At June 30, 2018, consolidated assets totaled $1.7 billion, including $1.5 billion in the investment portfolio, and stockholders’ equity totaled $568.1 million, a decrease of 5.9 percent from December 31, 2017. Book value of the Company’s common stock decreased 6.2 percent to $26.39 per share from $28.14 per share at December 31, 2017, primarily due to a decline in unrealized investment gains on the fixed maturity portfolio attributable to an increase in interest rates during the quarter, and the $0.22 per share quarterly dividend paid to stockholders.

During the second quarter of 2018, approximately $652,000 was used to repurchase 25,300 shares of the Company’s common stock under its stock repurchase program. Approximately $14.0 million remains under this program. The amount and timing of stock repurchases depends on several factors, including, but not limited to, general market conditions, the economic environment and the rate of return that can be achieved through the repurchase of stock compared to other alternatives.

On July 26, 2018, management announced that, based on actual results for the first six month of 2018 and projections for the remainder of the year, it was revising its 2018 non-GAAP operating income guidance from the previous range of $1.10 to $1.30 per share to a range of $0.95 to $1.15 per share. This guidance is based on a projected GAAP combined ratio of 103.6 percent for the year and investment income growth in the low-single digits. The load for catastrophe and storm losses was reduced to 7.7 percentage points from the previous expectation of 9.0 percentage points; however, the 1.3 percentage point decline in the load for catastrophe and storm losses was offset by an increase in the amount of non-catastrophe losses expected in the property and casualty insurance segment.

The Company will hold an earnings conference call at noon Eastern time on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, to allow securities analysts, stockholders and other interested parties the opportunity to hear management discuss the Company’s results for the second quarter, as well as its expectations for the remainder of 2018. 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. EMCI and Employers Mutual, 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 federal corporate tax rate;
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 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 and, beginning in 2018, the change in net unrealized investment gains/losses on equity investments from net income/loss. 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. Prior to 2018, investments in equity investments were classified as available-for-sale and changes in unrealized investment gains/losses on equity investments were recognized in other comprehensive income. Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the updated financial instruments guidance issued by the FASB, which requires changes in the unrealized investment gains/losses on equity investments to be recognized in net income/loss rather than other comprehensive income. Changes in unrealized investment gains/losses on equity investments are not predictable due to changing market conditions and are therefore also excluded from the calculation of non-GAAP operating income.

Management’s operating income guidance is also considered a non-GAAP financial measure. For the reasons noted above, management is unable to accurately project the amount of net income/loss that will result from realized investment gains/losses and changes in the unrealized investment gains/losses on equity investments, 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/loss.

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net income (loss)
 
$
(4,995
)
 
$
5,504

 
$
(5,071
)
 
$
12,308

Realized investment (gains) losses
 
5,413

 
(3,387
)
 
952

 
(2,760
)
Change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments
 
447

 
XXX

 
10,301

 
XXX

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
(1,230
)
 
1,185

 
(2,363
)
 
966

Net realized investment (gains) losses and, beginning in 2018, change in net unrealized investment gains on equity investments
 
4,630

 
(2,202
)
 
8,890

 
(1,794
)
Non-GAAP operating income (loss)
 
$
(365
)
 
$
3,302

 
$
3,819

 
$
10,514


RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME PER SHARE TO NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME PER SHARE
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net income (loss)
 
$
(0.24
)
 
$
0.26

 
$
(0.24
)
 
$
0.58

Realized investment (gains) losses
 
0.25

 
(0.16
)
 
0.04

 
(0.13
)
Change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments
 
0.02

 
XXX

 
0.48

 
XXX

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
(0.05
)
 
0.06

 
(0.10
)
 
0.04

Net realized investment (gains) losses and, beginning in 2018, change in net unrealized investment gains on equity investments
 
0.22

 
(0.10
)
 
0.42

 
(0.09
)
Non-GAAP operating income (loss)
 
$
(0.02
)
 
$
0.16

 
$
0.18

 
$
0.49


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 June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
77.6
 %
 
70.2
 %
 
74.0
 %
 
68.3
 %
Catastrophe and storm losses
 
(12.9
)%
 
(8.8
)%
 
(8.3
)%
 
(8.7
)%
Favorable development on prior years' reserves
 
2.6
 %
 
0.7
 %
 
2.2
 %
 
4.1
 %
Underlying loss and settlement expense ratio
 
67.3
 %
 
62.1
 %
 
67.9
 %
 
63.7
 %


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 June 30, 2018
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
121,495

 
$
36,451

 
$

 
$
157,946

Investment income, net
 
8,410

 
3,360

 
8

 
11,778

Other income
 
2,095

 
678

 

 
2,773

 
 
132,000

 
40,489

 
8

 
172,497

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
94,255

 
24,836

 

 
119,091

Dividends to policyholders
 
2,386

 

 

 
2,386

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
21,173

 
8,256

 

 
29,429

Other underwriting expenses
 
21,944

 
507

 

 
22,451

Interest expense
 
171

 

 

 
171

Other expenses
 
244

 

 
587

 
831

 
 
140,173

 
33,599

 
587

 
174,359

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
(8,173
)
 
6,890

 
(579
)
 
(1,862
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
and change in unrealized investment gains
on equity investments
 
(4,692
)
 
(1,168
)
 

 
(5,860
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
(12,865
)
 
5,722

 
(579
)
 
(7,722
)
Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
(4,219
)
 
1,081

 
(173
)
 
(3,311
)
Deferred
 
496

 
36

 
52

 
584

 
 
(3,723
)
 
1,117

 
(121
)
 
(2,727
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
(9,142
)
 
$
4,605

 
$
(458
)
 
$
(4,995
)
Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21,529,727

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
(0.43
)
 
$
0.21

 
$
(0.02
)
 
$
(0.24
)
Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
0.57

 
$
0.04

 
$

 
$
0.61

Favorable (adverse) development on prior years' reserves (after tax)
 
$
0.11

 
$
(0.10
)
 
$

 
$
0.01

Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.22

Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums written
 
$
131,201

 
$
31,911

 
$

 
$
163,112

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
15,707

 
$
1,003

 
$

 
$
16,710

(Favorable) adverse development on
prior years' reserves
 
$
(3,151
)
 
$
2,640

 
$

 
$
(511
)
GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
77.6
%
 
68.1
%
 

 
75.4
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
37.4
%
 
24.1
%
 

 
34.4
%
Combined ratio
 
115.0
%
 
92.2
%
 

 
109.8
%



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - UNAUDITED
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended June 30, 2017
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
116,187

 
$
33,650

 
$

 
$
149,837

Investment income, net
 
7,958

 
3,201

 
12

 
11,171

Other income (loss)1
 
1,559

 
(528
)
 

 
1,031

 
 
125,704

 
36,323

 
12

 
162,039

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
81,508

 
25,720

 

 
107,228

Dividends to policyholders
 
2,416

 

 

 
2,416

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
19,618

 
7,915

 

 
27,533

Other underwriting expenses1
 
19,531

 
602

 

 
20,133

Interest expense
 
85

 

 

 
85

Other expenses
 
231

 

 
571

 
802

 
 
123,389

 
34,237

 
571

 
158,197

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
2,315

 
2,086

 
(559
)
 
3,842

Realized investment gains (losses)
 
3,738

 
(351
)
 

 
3,387

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
6,053

 
1,735

 
(559
)
 
7,229

Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
1,646

 
684

 
(261
)
 
2,069

Deferred
 
(88
)
 
(322
)
 
66

 
(344
)
 
 
1,558

 
362

 
(195
)
 
1,725

Net income (loss)
 
$
4,495

 
$
1,373

 
$
(364
)
 
$
5,504

Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21,276,627

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.21

 
$
0.06

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.26

Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
0.31

 
$
0.15

 
$

 
$
0.46

Favorable (adverse) development on prior years'
reserves (after tax)
 
$
0.03

 
$
(0.08
)
 
$

 
$
(0.05
)
Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.21

Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums written
 
$
126,591

 
$
28,554

 
$

 
$
155,145

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
10,214

 
$
4,909

 
$

 
$
15,123

(Favorable) adverse development on prior years' reserves
 
$
(850
)
 
$
2,557

 
$

 
$
1,707

GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
70.2
%
 
76.4
%
 

 
71.6
%
Acquisition expense ratio1
 
35.7
%
 
25.3
%
 

 
33.4
%
Combined ratio1
 
105.9
%
 
101.7
%
 

 
105.0
%
 
1Amounts for other income (loss), other underwriting expenses and the acquisition expense and combined ratios are restated for new accounting guidance for the reporting of retirement benefit expenses that became effective January 1, 2018.




CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - UNAUDITED
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2018
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
240,127

 
$
73,605

 
$

 
$
313,732

Investment income, net
 
16,558

 
6,578

 
13

 
23,149

Other income
 
4,146

 
242

 

 
4,388

 
 
260,831

 
80,425

 
13

 
341,269

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
177,756

 
51,963

 

 
229,719

Dividends to policyholders
 
4,506

 

 

 
4,506

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
40,472

 
16,249

 

 
56,721

Other underwriting expenses
 
44,430

 
876

 

 
45,306

Interest expense
 
313

 

 

 
313

Other expenses
 
477

 

 
1,224

 
1,701

 
 
267,954

 
69,088

 
1,224

 
338,266

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
(7,123
)
 
11,337

 
(1,211
)
 
3,003

Net realized investment gains (losses)
and change in unrealized investment gains
on equity investments
 
(7,985
)
 
(3,268
)
 

 
(11,253
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
(15,108
)
 
8,069

 
(1,211
)
 
(8,250
)
Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
(4,121
)
 
2,310

 
(294
)
 
(2,105
)
Deferred
 
(336
)
 
(778
)
 
40

 
(1,074
)
 
 
(4,457
)
 
1,532

 
(254
)
 
(3,179
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
(10,651
)
 
$
6,537

 
$
(957
)
 
$
(5,071
)
Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21,515,812

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
(0.50
)
 
$
0.30

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
(0.24
)
Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
0.73

 
$
0.05

 
$

 
$
0.78

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

 
$
0.03

 
$

 
$
0.22

Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.44

Book value per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
26.39

Effective tax rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38.5
 %
Annualized net income as a percent of beg. SH equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1.7
)%
Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums written
 
$
251,470

 
$
69,714

 
$

 
$
321,184

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
19,967

 
$
1,399

 
$

 
$
21,366

Favorable development on prior years' reserves
 
$
(5,286
)
 
$
(801
)
 
$

 
$
(6,087
)
GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
74.0
%
 
70.6
%
 

 
73.2
 %
Acquisition expense ratio
 
37.3
%
 
23.3
%
 

 
34.0
 %
Combined ratio
 
111.3
%
 
93.9
%
 

 
107.2
 %




CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - UNAUDITED
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2017
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
229,835

 
$
64,489

 
$

 
$
294,324

Investment income, net
 
15,973

 
6,184

 
21

 
22,178

Other income (loss)1
 
3,000

 
(1,099
)
 

 
1,901

 
 
248,808

 
69,574

 
21

 
318,403

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
157,028

 
46,485

 

 
203,513

Dividends to policyholders
 
5,138

 

 

 
5,138

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
39,695

 
14,649

 

 
54,344

Other underwriting expenses1
 
39,741

 
1,026

 

 
40,767

Interest expense
 
169

 

 

 
169

Other expenses
 
410

 

 
1,153

 
1,563

 
 
242,181

 
62,160

 
1,153

 
305,494

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
6,627

 
7,414

 
(1,132
)
 
12,909

Realized investment gains (losses)
 
3,141

 
(381
)
 

 
2,760

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
9,768

 
7,033

 
(1,132
)
 
15,669

Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
2,137

 
2,429

 
(451
)
 
4,115

Deferred
 
(258
)
 
(551
)
 
55

 
(754
)
 
 
1,879

 
1,878

 
(396
)
 
3,361

Net income (loss)
 
$
7,889

 
$
5,155

 
$
(736
)
 
$
12,308

Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21,265,529

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.37

 
$
0.24

 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
0.58

Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
0.61

 
$
0.26

 
$

 
$
0.87

Favorable development on prior years'
reserves (after tax)
 
$
0.28

 
$
0.12

 
$

 
$
0.40

Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.42

Book value per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
26.84

Effective tax rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21.4
%
Annualized net income as a percent of beg. SH equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.5
%
Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums written
 
$
241,198

 
$
58,822

 
$

 
$
300,020

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
20,000

 
$
8,497

 
$

 
$
28,497

Favorable development on prior years' reserves
 
$
(9,313
)
 
$
(3,884
)
 
$

 
$
(13,197
)
GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
68.3
%
 
72.1
%
 

 
69.1
%
Acquisition expense ratio1
 
36.8
%
 
24.3
%
 

 
34.1
%
Combined ratio1
 
105.1
%
 
96.4
%
 

 
103.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1Amounts for other income (loss), other underwriting expenses and the acquisition expense and combined ratios are restated for new accounting guidance for the reporting of retirement benefit expenses that became effective January 1, 2018.




CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 
 2018
 
December 31, 
 2017
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
(Unaudited)
 

ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,247,717 and $1,253,166)
 
$
1,241,699

 
$
1,275,016

Equity investments, at fair value (cost $148,866 and $144,274)
 
222,397

 
228,115

Equity investments, at alternative measurement of cost less impairments
 
3,200

 

Other long-term investments
 
16,654

 
13,648

Short-term investments
 
23,447

 
23,613

Total investments
 
1,507,397

 
1,540,392

 
 
 
 
 
Cash
 
259

 
347

Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate
 
31,929

 
31,650

Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate
 
14,376

 
12,789

Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $43,634 and $40,848)
 
43,861

 
41,114

Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate
 
22,274

 
20,683

Accrued investment income
 
10,424

 
11,286

Amounts receivable under reverse repurchase agreements
 
16,500

 
16,500

Accounts receivable
 
1,700

 
1,604

Income taxes recoverable
 
5,116

 

Goodwill
 
942

 
942

Other assets (affiliated $3,943 and $4,423)
 
4,530

 
4,633

Total assets
 
$
1,659,308

 
$
1,681,940

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $752,852 and $726,413)
 
$
756,869

 
$
732,612

Unearned premiums (affiliated $265,491 and $256,434)
 
266,500

 
257,797

Other policyholders' funds (all affiliated)
 
8,027

 
10,013

Surplus notes payable to affiliate
 
25,000

 
25,000

Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances
 
588

 
367

Pension benefits payable to affiliate
 
4,034

 
4,185

Income taxes payable
 

 
544

Deferred income taxes
 
7,807

 
15,020

Other liabilities (affiliated $21,991 and $27,520)
 
22,416

 
32,556

Total liabilities
 
1,091,241

 
1,078,094

 
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 21,526,346 shares in 2018 and 21,455,545 shares in 2017
 
21,526

 
21,455

Additional paid-in capital
 
126,308

 
124,556

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(5,944
)
 
83,384

Retained earnings
 
426,177

 
374,451

Total stockholders' equity
 
568,067

 
603,846

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,659,308

 
$
1,681,940







LOSS AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSE BY LINE OF BUSINESS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
($ 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
 
$
31,660

 
$
26,717

 
84.4
%
 
$
29,014

 
$
23,744

 
81.8
%
Property
 
27,196

 
23,529

 
86.5
%
 
26,069

 
17,949

 
68.9
%
Workers' compensation
 
25,229

 
22,513

 
89.2
%
 
25,343

 
16,291

 
64.3
%
Other liability
 
25,591

 
11,971

 
46.8
%
 
24,254

 
14,319

 
59.0
%
Other
 
2,228

 
125

 
5.6
%
 
2,197

 
423

 
19.2
%
Total commercial lines
 
111,904

 
84,855

 
75.8
%
 
106,877

 
72,726

 
68.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
9,591

 
9,400

 
98.0
%
 
9,310

 
8,782

 
94.3
%
Total property and casualty insurance
 
$
121,495

 
$
94,255

 
77.6
%
 
$
116,187

 
$
81,508

 
70.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata reinsurance
 
$
10,070

 
$
5,116

 
50.8
%
 
$
12,016

 
$
7,674

 
63.9
%
Excess of loss reinsurance
 
26,381

 
19,720

 
74.8
%
 
21,634

 
18,046

 
83.4
%
Total reinsurance
 
$
36,451

 
$
24,836

 
68.1
%
 
$
33,650

 
$
25,720

 
76.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
$
157,946

 
$
119,091

 
75.4
%
 
$
149,837

 
$
107,228

 
71.6
%



 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
($ 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
 
$
62,304

 
$
53,173

 
85.3
%
 
$
57,046

 
$
50,633

 
88.8
%
Property
 
53,788

 
42,252

 
78.6
%
 
51,571

 
35,488

 
68.8
%
Workers' compensation
 
50,131

 
35,044

 
69.9
%
 
50,046

 
30,065

 
60.1
%
Other liability
 
50,553

 
29,672

 
58.7
%
 
48,382

 
25,031

 
51.7
%
Other
 
4,414

 
619

 
14.0
%
 
4,306

 
330

 
7.7
%
Total commercial lines
 
221,190

 
160,760

 
72.7
%
 
211,351

 
141,547

 
67.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
18,937

 
16,996

 
89.7
%
 
18,484

 
15,481

 
83.8
%
Total property and casualty insurance
 
$
240,127

 
$
177,756

 
74.0
%
 
$
229,835

 
$
157,028

 
68.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata reinsurance
 
$
23,143

 
$
9,781

 
42.3
%
 
$
22,451

 
$
13,820

 
61.6
%
Excess of loss reinsurance
 
50,462

 
42,182

 
83.6
%
 
42,038

 
32,665

 
77.7
%
Total reinsurance
 
$
73,605

 
$
51,963

 
70.6
%
 
$
64,489

 
$
46,485

 
72.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
$
313,732

 
$
229,719

 
73.2
%
 
$
294,324

 
$
203,513

 
69.1
%




PREMIUMS WRITTEN
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Three months ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
 
($ 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
 
$
36,977

 
22.7
%
 
$
34,645

 
22.3
%
 
6.7%
Property
 
30,326

 
18.5
%
 
28,525

 
18.4
%
 
6.3%
Workers' compensation
 
22,781

 
14.0
%
 
23,680

 
15.3
%
 
(3.8)%
Other liability
 
27,881

 
17.1
%
 
27,078

 
17.4
%
 
3.0%
Other
 
2,713

 
1.7
%
 
2,414

 
1.6
%
 
12.4%
Total commercial lines
 
120,678

 
74.0
%
 
116,342

 
75.0
%
 
3.7%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
10,523

 
6.4
%
 
10,249

 
6.6
%
 
2.7%
Total property and casualty insurance
 
$
131,201

 
80.4
%
 
$
126,591

 
81.6
%
 
3.6%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata reinsurance
 
$
10,138

 
6.2
%
 
$
10,813

 
7.0
%
 
(6.2)%
Excess of loss reinsurance
 
21,773

 
13.4
%
 
17,741

 
11.4
%
 
22.7%
Total reinsurance
 
$
31,911

 
19.6
%
 
$
28,554

 
18.4
%
 
11.8%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
$
163,112

 
100.0
%
 
$
155,145

 
100.0
%
 
5.1%

 
 
Six months ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Six months ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
 
($ 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
 
$
69,933

 
21.8
%
 
$
65,081

 
21.7
%
 
7.5%
Property
 
57,053

 
17.8
%
 
53,867

 
18.0
%
 
5.9%
Workers' compensation
 
45,366

 
14.1
%
 
46,759

 
15.6
%
 
(3.0)%
Other liability
 
54,606

 
17.0
%
 
52,005

 
17.3
%
 
5.0%
Other
 
4,907

 
1.5
%
 
4,697

 
1.5
%
 
4.5%
Total commercial lines
 
231,865

 
72.2
%
 
222,409

 
74.1
%
 
4.3%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
19,605

 
6.1
%
 
18,789

 
6.3
%
 
4.3%
Total property and casualty insurance
 
$
251,470

 
78.3
%
 
$
241,198

 
80.4
%
 
4.3%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata reinsurance
 
$
21,827

 
6.8
%
 
$
19,505

 
6.5
%
 
11.9%
Excess of loss reinsurance
 
47,887

 
14.9
%
 
39,317

 
13.1
%
 
21.8%
Total reinsurance
 
$
69,714

 
21.7
%
 
$
58,822

 
19.6
%
 
18.5%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
$
321,184

 
100.0
%
 
$
300,020

 
100.0
%
 
7.1%





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