Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - EMC INSURANCE GROUP INCearnings8k2018930.htm
EXHIBIT 99

imagea02a05.jpg

NEWS RELEASE

EMC Insurance Group Inc. Reports 2018 Third Quarter and Nine Month Results

Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2018
Net Income Per Share - $0.89
Non-GAAP Operating Income Per Share* - $0.48
Net Realized Investment Gains and Change in Net Unrealized
Investment Gains on Equity Investments Per Share - $0.41
Catastrophe and Storm Losses Per Share - $0.77
GAAP Combined Ratio - 100.0 percent

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Net Income Per Share - $0.65
Non-GAAP Operating Income Per Share* - $0.66
Net Realized Investment Gains and Change in Net Unrealized
Investment Gains on Equity Investments Per Share - ($0.01)
Catastrophe and Storm Losses Per Share - $1.55
GAAP Combined Ratio - 104.7 percent


2018 Non-GAAP Operating Income Guidance* of $1.30 to $1.50 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 7, 2018) - EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Nasdaq:EMCI) (the “Company”), today reported net income of $19.1 million ($0.89 per share) and a loss and settlement expense ratio of 68.0 percent for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to net income of $746,000 ($0.03 per share) and a loss and settlement expense ratio of 77.1 percent for the third quarter of 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company reported net income of $14.1 million ($0.65 per share) and a loss and settlement expense ratio of 71.4 percent, compared to net income of $13.1 million ($0.61 per share) and a loss and settlement expense ratio of 71.9 percent for the same period in 2017.

Included in the net income amounts reported for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 are a pre-tax increase of $9.5 million and a pre-tax decrease of $799,000, 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 the change in unrealized investment gains, the primary drivers of the increase in net income reported for the third quarter of 2018 are a lower level of catastrophe and storm losses and an increase in the amount of favorable development experienced on prior years’ reserves. Despite a large decline in the amount of catastrophe and storm losses for the first nine months of 2018, net income increased only slightly due to a decline in favorable development on prior years’ reserves and a high level of non-catastrophe losses in the property and casualty insurance segment during the first half of the year.

Also contributing to the net income amounts reported for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 are $1.6 million and $681,000, respectively, of pre-tax realized investment gains, compared to $594,000



of pre-tax realized investment losses and $2.2 million of pre-tax realized investment gains 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.

In the property and casualty insurance segment, the underlying loss and settlement expense ratio* (which excludes the impact of catastrophe and storm losses and development on prior years’ reserves) declined 1.8 percentage points to 56.7 percent in the third quarter of 2018, from 58.5 percent in the third quarter of 2017. This decline primarily reflects reductions in the ultimate settlement expense ratios established for several accident years in several lines of business. For the first nine months of 2018, the underlying loss and settlement expense ratio increased 2.2 percentage points to 64.1 percent from 61.9 percent in 2017.

“While our overall catastrophe and storm losses were down for the third quarter, they increased for the property and casualty insurance segment,” stated President and Chief Executive Officer Bruce G. Kelley. “The retention amounts under both semi-annual aggregate excess of loss reinsurance treaties have been filled. As a result, any additional catastrophe and storm losses incurred by the property and casualty insurance segment during the fourth quarter will be ceded to Employers Mutual Casualty Company (Employers Mutual), unless the limits of protection are exceeded.”

Kelley continued, “Our reinsurance segment continued to perform well given the active hurricane season and the significant catastrophic events that have impacted the industry. Premiums written growth remains strong as we were able to capitalize on opportunities for new business and increased participation on our best accounts during the January 1 renewal season.”

“The personal lines of business continue to weigh on underwriting profitability; however, the impact of this business will begin to diminish as we transition out of personal lines over the next 18 months and focus our efforts on strengthening and expanding our commercial lines business,” concluded Kelley.

Non-GAAP operating income, which excludes net realized investment gains/losses and, beginning in 2018, the change in net unrealized investment gains on equity investments from net income/loss, totaled $10.4 million ($0.48 per share) for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $1.1 million ($0.05 per share) for the third quarter of 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company reported non-GAAP operating income of $14.2 million ($0.66 per share), compared to $11.6 million ($0.55 per share) for the same period in 2017.

The Company’s GAAP combined ratio was 100.0 percent in the third quarter of 2018, compared to 107.5 percent in the third quarter of 2017. For the first nine months of both 2018 and 2017, the GAAP combined ratio was 104.7 percent.

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 or non-GAAP operating income amounts reported for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 and 2017, as other income and other underwriting expenses increased by the same amounts; however, it did increase the acquisition expense ratios, and therefore the combined ratios, by 1.1 percentage points and 1.2 percentage points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively and 0.8 percentage points and 0.9 percentage points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.




Premiums earned increased 5.5 percent and 6.2 percent for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, respectively. In the property and casualty insurance segment, premiums earned increased 4.8 percent and 4.6 percent for the third quarter and first nine 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 8.0 percent and 12.0 percent for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, respectively. These increases are attributed to increases in participation and higher estimated premiums achieved on existing multi-line 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 new business. The increases were partially offset by a continued decline in premiums reported by Mutual Re (formerly known as Mutual Reinsurance Bureau underwriting association) due to its withdrawal from non-standard automobile business.

Catastrophe and storm losses totaled $21.0 million ($0.77 per share after tax) in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $29.4 million ($0.90 per share after tax) in the third quarter of 2017. The property and casualty insurance segment experienced an elevated level of catastrophe and storm losses during the third quarter, primarily from Midwest storms and Hurricane Florence. As a result, the property and casualty insurance segment filled the $15 million retention amount under the July 1 through December 31 intercompany excess of loss reinsurance treaty with Employers Mutual, and ceded $1.4 million of catastrophe and storm losses to Employers Mutual. In addition, the property and casualty insurance segment incurred an additional $2.9 million of gross catastrophe and storm losses resulting from increases in the estimates of catastrophe and storm losses that occurred during the first six months of 2018. As a result, the $22 million retention amount under the intercompany reinsurance treaty covering the first half of the year was filled, and an additional $864,000 of catastrophe and storm losses were ceded to Employers Mutual. Having filled the retention amounts under both semi-annual aggregate excess of loss treaties, any additional catastrophe and storm losses incurred in the fourth quarter will be ceded to Employers Mutual, unless the limits of protection are exceeded. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the property and casualty subsidiaries ceded $3.0 million and $19.0 million of catastrophe and storm losses to Employers Mutual under the 2017 intercompany reinsurance program covering the first half of the year. No recoveries were made under the intercompany reinsurance treaty covering the second half of 2017.

In the third quarter of 2018, no recoveries were made under the reinsurance subsidiary’s intercompany annual aggregate catastrophe excess of loss treaty with Employers Mutual, which has a retention of $20 million, a limit of $100 million, and a 20 percent co-participation above the retention. Approximately $18.0 million of retention remains under this treaty. The reinsurance subsidiary did, however, recover $3.2 million under Industry Loss Warranties purchased in 2017 to provide additional protection in peak exposure territories. The reinsurance subsidiary retained 20 percent of this recovery under the co-participation provision of the intercompany reinsurance program, with the remaining 80 percent ceded to Employers Mutual. In the third quarter of 2017, the reinsurance segment incurred a record amount of catastrophe and storm losses, primarily stemming from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. The reinsurance segment retained approximately $18.0 million of catastrophe and storm losses subject to the treaty, and ceded $9.0 million to Employers Mutual. Taking 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.

Catastrophe and storm losses totaled $42.4 million ($1.55 per share after tax) for the first nine months of 2018, compared to $57.9 million ($1.77 per share after tax) for the same period in 2017. On a segment basis, catastrophe and storm losses totaled $17.0 million ($0.62 per share after tax) and $37.0 million ($1.35 per share after tax) in the property and casualty insurance segment, and $4.0 million ($0.15 per share after tax) and $5.4 million ($0.20 per share after tax) in the reinsurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.




The Company reported $5.9 million ($0.22 per share after tax) and $12.0 million ($0.44 per share after tax) of favorable development on prior years’ reserves during the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, respectively, compared to $4.4 million ($0.13 per share after tax) and $17.6 million ($0.54 per share after tax) for the same periods in 2017. In the property and casualty insurance segment, favorable development totaled $7.2 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $6.2 million in 2017. The majority of the favorable development experienced in the third quarter of 2018 was driven by reductions in the ultimate settlement expense ratios established for several accident years in several lines of business. In addition, the ultimate loss ratios were reduced for several accidents years in several lines of business, but to a lesser extent than the reduction in the settlement expense ratios. Included in the 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. In the reinsurance segment, adverse development totaled $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $1.8 million in 2017.

Net investment income increased 3.9 percent and 4.2 percent to $12.0 million and $35.1 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, from $11.5 million and $33.7 million for the same periods in 2017, respectively. These increases are primarily attributed to growth in the fixed maturity portfolio and an increase in interest rates.

The pre-tax realized investment gains of $1.6 million and $681,000 reported for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 include a pre-tax realized investment loss of $1.7 million for both periods 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 losses of $594,000 and pre-tax realized investment gains of $2.2 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 include $1.0 million and $4.6 million, respectively, of pre-tax realized investment losses attributed to a decline in the carrying value of this limited partnership.

Other income totaled $2.3 million and $6.7 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, respectively, and includes $1.9 million and $5.6 million of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, and $147,000 and $389,000 of foreign currency exchange gains. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, other income totaled $1.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively, and includes $1.3 million and $3.8 million of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, and $357,000 and $1.5 million of foreign currency exchange losses.

At September 30, 2018, consolidated assets totaled $1.7 billion, including $1.5 billion in the investment portfolio, and stockholders’ equity totaled $574.6 million, a decrease of 4.8 percent from December 31, 2017. Book value of the Company’s common stock decreased 5.4 percent to $26.63 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 year.

During the third quarter of 2018, no shares of the Company’s common stock were repurchased 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 October 30, 2018, management announced that, based on actual results for the first nine months 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 $0.95 to $1.15 per share to a range of $1.30 to $1.50 per share. This guidance is based on a projected GAAP combined ratio of 102.6 percent for the year and investment income growth in the mid-single digits, with nominal changes to the other assumptions utilized in the projection.




The Company will hold an earnings conference call at noon Eastern time on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 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 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 September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net income
 
$
19,148

 
$
746

 
$
14,077

 
$
13,054

Realized investment (gains) losses
 
(1,633
)
 
594

 
(681
)
 
(2,166
)
Change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments
 
(9,502
)
 
XXXX

 
799

 
XXXX

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
2,338

 
(208
)
 
(25
)
 
758

Net realized investment (gains) losses and, beginning in 2018, change in net unrealized investment gains on equity investments
 
(8,797
)
 
386

 
93

 
(1,408
)
Non-GAAP operating income
 
$
10,351

 
$
1,132

 
$
14,170

 
$
11,646





RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME PER SHARE TO NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME PER SHARE
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net income
 
$
0.89

 
$
0.03

 
$
0.65

 
$
0.61

Realized investment (gains) losses
 
(0.08
)
 
0.03

 
(0.03
)
 
(0.10
)
Change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments
 
(0.44
)
 
XXXX

 
0.04

 
XXXX

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
0.11

 
(0.01
)
 
(0.00
)
 
0.04

Net realized investment (gains) losses and, beginning in 2018, change in net unrealized investment gains on equity investments
 
(0.41
)
 
0.02

 
0.01

 
(0.06
)
Non-GAAP operating income
 
$
0.48

 
$
0.05

 
$
0.66

 
$
0.55


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,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
64.5
 %
 
61.5
 %
 
70.8
 %
 
66.0
 %
Catastrophe and storm losses
 
(13.5
)%
 
(8.2
)%
 
(10.1
)%
 
(8.5
)%
Favorable development on prior years' reserves
 
5.7
 %
 
5.2
 %
 
3.4
 %
 
4.4
 %
Underlying loss and settlement expense ratio
 
56.7
 %
 
58.5
 %
 
64.1
 %
 
61.9
 %


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, 2018
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
126,213

 
$
37,495

 
$

 
$
163,708

Investment income, net
 
8,514

 
3,423

 
14

 
11,951

Other income
 
2,184

 
147

 

 
2,331

 
 
136,911

 
41,065

 
14

 
177,990

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
81,435

 
29,842

 

 
111,277

Dividends to policyholders
 
2,654

 

 

 
2,654

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
21,182

 
7,601

 

 
28,783

Other underwriting expenses
 
20,426

 
498

 

 
20,924

Interest expense
 
170

 

 

 
170

Other expenses
 
282

 

 
591

 
873

 
 
126,149

 
37,941

 
591

 
164,681

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
10,762

 
3,124

 
(577
)
 
13,309

Net realized investment gains (losses)
and change in unrealized investment gains
on equity investments
 
6,760

 
4,476

 
(101
)
 
11,135

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
17,522

 
7,600

 
(678
)
 
24,444

Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
2,961

 
722

 
(99
)
 
3,584

Deferred
 
859

 
897

 
(44
)
 
1,712

 
 
3,820

 
1,619

 
(143
)
 
5,296

Net income (loss)
 
$
13,702

 
$
5,981

 
$
(535
)
 
$
19,148

Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21,556,557

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.64

 
$
0.28

 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
0.89

Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
0.62

 
$
0.15

 
$

 
$
0.77

Favorable (adverse) development on prior years'
reserves (after tax)
 
$
0.27

 
$
(0.05
)
 
$

 
$
0.22

Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.22

Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums written
 
$
152,787

 
$
39,898

 
$

 
$
192,685

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
17,033

 
$
3,975

 
$

 
$
21,008

(Favorable) adverse development on
prior years' reserves
 
$
(7,203
)
 
$
1,294

 
$

 
$
(5,909
)
GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
64.5
%
 
79.6
%
 
%
 
68.0
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
35.1
%
 
21.6
%
 
%
 
32.0
%
Combined ratio
 
99.6
%
 
101.2
%
 
%
 
100.0
%



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)1
 
1,457

 
(358
)
 

 
1,099

 
 
130,181

 
37,597

 
12

 
167,790

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 expenses1
 
20,387

 
412

 

 
20,799

Interest expense
 
84

 

 

 
84

Other expenses
 
170

 

 
531

 
701

 
 
114,217

 
52,888

 
531

 
167,636

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 (adverse) 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) adverse 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 ratio1
 
33.1
%
 
21.1
%
 
%
 
30.4
%
Combined ratio1
 
94.6
%
 
152.3
%
 
%
 
107.5
%
 
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)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2018
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
366,340

 
$
111,100

 
$

 
$
477,440

Investment income, net
 
25,072

 
10,001

 
27

 
35,100

Other income
 
6,330

 
389

 

 
6,719

 
 
397,742

 
121,490

 
27

 
519,259

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
259,191

 
81,805

 

 
340,996

Dividends to policyholders
 
7,160

 

 

 
7,160

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
61,654

 
23,850

 

 
85,504

Other underwriting expenses
 
64,856

 
1,374

 

 
66,230

Interest expense
 
483

 

 

 
483

Other expenses
 
759

 

 
1,815

 
2,574

 
 
394,103

 
107,029

 
1,815

 
502,947

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
3,639

 
14,461

 
(1,788
)
 
16,312

Net realized investment gains (losses)
and change in unrealized investment gains
on equity investments
 
(1,225
)
 
1,208

 
(101
)
 
(118
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
2,414

 
15,669

 
(1,889
)
 
16,194

Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
(1,160
)
 
3,032

 
(393
)
 
1,479

Deferred
 
523

 
119

 
(4
)
 
638

 
 
(637
)
 
3,151

 
(397
)
 
2,117

Net income (loss)
 
$
3,051

 
$
12,518

 
$
(1,492
)
 
$
14,077

Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21,529,394

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.14

 
$
0.58

 
$
(0.07
)
 
$
0.65

Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
1.35

 
$
0.20

 
$

 
$
1.55

Favorable (adverse) development on prior years'
reserves (after tax)
 
$
0.46

 
$
(0.02
)
 
$

 
$
0.44

Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.66

Book value per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
26.63

Effective tax rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13.1
%
Annualized net income as a percent of beg. SH equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.1
%
Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums written
 
$
404,257

 
$
109,612

 
$

 
$
513,869

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
37,000

 
$
5,374

 
$

 
$
42,374

(Favorable) adverse development on
prior years' reserves
 
$
(12,489
)
 
$
493

 
$

 
$
(11,996
)
GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
70.8
%
 
73.6
%
 
%
 
71.4
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
36.5
%
 
22.7
%
 
%
 
33.3
%
Combined ratio
 
107.3
%
 
96.3
%
 
%
 
104.7
%




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)1
 
4,457

 
(1,457
)
 

 
3,000

 
 
378,989

 
107,171

 
33

 
486,193

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 expenses1
 
60,128

 
1,438

 

 
61,566

Interest expense
 
253

 

 

 
253

Other expenses
 
580

 

 
1,684

 
2,264

 
 
356,398

 
115,048

 
1,684

 
473,130

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
22,591

 
(7,877
)
 
(1,651
)
 
13,063

Realized investment 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 ratio1
 
35.5
%
 
23.2
%
 
%
 
32.8
%
Combined ratio1
 
101.5
%
 
116.0
%
 
%
 
104.7
%
 
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
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 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 $1,264,975 and $1,253,166)
 
$
1,248,072

 
$
1,275,016

Equity investments, at fair value (cost $155,734 and $144,274)
 
238,768

 
228,115

Equity investments, at alternative measurement of cost less impairments
 
1,200

 

Other long-term investments
 
17,818

 
13,648

Short-term investments
 
33,717

 
23,613

Total investments
 
1,539,575

 
1,540,392

 
 
 
 
 
Cash
 
302

 
347

Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate
 
33,448

 
31,650

Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate
 
12,470

 
12,789

Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $47,323 and $40,848)
 
47,653

 
41,114

Amounts due from affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances
 
8,067

 

Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate
 
22,769

 
20,683

Accrued investment income
 
11,714

 
11,286

Amounts receivable under reverse repurchase agreements
 
16,500

 
16,500

Accounts receivable
 
1,103

 
1,604

Income taxes recoverable
 
1,531

 

Goodwill
 
942

 
942

Other assets (affiliated $4,706 and $4,423)
 
5,028

 
4,633

Total assets
 
$
1,701,102

 
$
1,681,940

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $756,751 and $726,413)
 
$
761,581

 
$
732,612

Unearned premiums (affiliated $291,464 and $256,434)
 
292,983

 
257,797

Other policyholders' funds (all affiliated)
 
9,145

 
10,013

Surplus notes payable to affiliate
 
25,000

 
25,000

Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances
 

 
367

Pension benefits payable to affiliate
 
4,111

 
4,185

Income taxes payable
 

 
544

Deferred income taxes
 
7,090

 
15,020

Other liabilities (affiliated $26,440 and $27,520)
 
26,584

 
32,556

Total liabilities
 
1,126,494

 
1,078,094

 
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 21,575,286 shares in 2018 and 21,455,545 shares in 2017
 
21,575

 
21,455

Additional paid-in capital
 
127,520

 
124,556

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(15,082
)
 
83,384

Retained earnings
 
440,595

 
374,451

Total stockholders' equity
 
574,608

 
603,846

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,701,102

 
$
1,681,940







LOSS AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSE BY LINE OF BUSINESS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 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
 
$
32,851

 
$
22,776

 
69.3
 %
 
$
30,229

 
$
24,293

 
80.4
%
Property
 
25,271

 
15,223

 
60.2
 %
 
27,980

 
15,803

 
56.5
%
Workers' compensation
 
24,249

 
16,931

 
69.8
 %
 
25,373

 
11,386

 
44.9
%
Other liability
 
31,399

 
19,825

 
63.1
 %
 
24,996

 
15,802

 
63.2
%
Other
 
2,368

 
(1,014
)
 
(42.8
)%
 
2,203

 
447

 
20.3
%
Total commercial lines
 
116,138

 
73,741

 
63.5
 %
 
110,781

 
67,731

 
61.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
10,075

 
7,694

 
76.4
 %
 
9,691

 
6,308

 
65.1
%
Total property and casualty insurance
 
$
126,213

 
$
81,435

 
64.5
 %
 
$
120,472

 
$
74,039

 
61.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata reinsurance
 
$
10,484

 
$
8,394

 
80.1
 %
 
$
10,730

 
$
10,159

 
94.7
%
Excess of loss reinsurance
 
27,011

 
21,448

 
79.4
 %
 
23,988

 
35,378

 
147.5
%
Total reinsurance
 
$
37,495

 
$
29,842

 
79.6
 %
 
$
34,718

 
$
45,537

 
131.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
$
163,708

 
$
111,277

 
68.0
 %
 
$
155,190

 
$
119,576

 
77.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 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
 
$
95,155

 
$
75,949

 
79.8
 %
 
$
87,275

 
$
74,926

 
85.8
%
Property
 
79,059

 
57,475

 
72.7
 %
 
79,551

 
51,291

 
64.5
%
Workers' compensation
 
74,380

 
51,975

 
69.9
 %
 
75,419

 
41,451

 
55.0
%
Other liability
 
81,952

 
49,497

 
60.4
 %
 
73,378

 
40,833

 
55.6
%
Other
 
6,782

 
(395
)
 
(5.8
)%
 
6,509

 
777

 
11.9
%
Total commercial lines
 
337,328

 
234,501

 
69.5
 %
 
322,132

 
209,278

 
65.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
29,012

 
24,690

 
85.1
 %
 
28,175

 
21,789

 
77.3
%
Total property and casualty insurance
 
$
366,340

 
$
259,191

 
70.8
 %
 
$
350,307

 
$
231,067

 
66.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata reinsurance
 
$
33,627

 
$
18,175

 
54.0
 %
 
$
33,181

 
$
23,979

 
72.3
%
Excess of loss reinsurance
 
77,473

 
63,630

 
82.1
 %
 
66,026

 
68,043

 
103.1
%
Total reinsurance
 
$
111,100

 
$
81,805

 
73.6
 %
 
$
99,207

 
$
92,022

 
92.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
$
477,440

 
$
340,996

 
71.4
 %
 
$
449,514

 
$
323,089

 
71.9
%



PREMIUMS WRITTEN
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Three months ended 
 September 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
 
$
34,688

 
18.0
%
 
$
32,678

 
18.1
%
 
6.2%
Property
 
39,799

 
20.7
%
 
33,958

 
18.8
%
 
17.2%
Workers' compensation
 
34,880

 
18.1
%
 
36,266

 
20.1
%
 
(3.8)%
Other liability
 
30,093

 
15.6
%
 
28,212

 
15.6
%
 
6.7%
Other
 
2,667

 
1.4
%
 
2,529

 
1.4
%
 
5.5%
Total commercial lines
 
142,127

 
73.8
%
 
133,643

 
74.0
%
 
6.3%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
10,660

 
5.5
%
 
10,368

 
5.8
%
 
2.8%
Total property and casualty insurance
 
$
152,787

 
79.3
%
 
$
144,011

 
79.8
%
 
6.1%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata reinsurance
 
$
10,817

 
5.6
%
 
$
10,591

 
5.9
%
 
2.1%
Excess of loss reinsurance
 
29,081

 
15.1
%
 
25,932

 
14.3
%
 
12.1%
Total reinsurance
 
$
39,898

 
20.7
%
 
$
36,523

 
20.2
%
 
9.2%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
$
192,685

 
100.0
%
 
$
180,534

 
100.0
%
 
6.7%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Nine months ended 
 September 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
 
$
104,621

 
20.4
%
 
$
97,759

 
20.3
%
 
7.0%
Property
 
96,852

 
18.8
%
 
87,825

 
18.3
%
 
10.3%
Workers' compensation
 
80,246

 
15.6
%
 
83,025

 
17.3
%
 
(3.3)%
Other liability
 
84,699

 
16.5
%
 
80,217

 
16.7
%
 
5.6%
Other
 
7,574

 
1.5
%
 
7,226

 
1.5
%
 
4.8%
Total commercial lines
 
373,992

 
72.8
%
 
356,052

 
74.1
%
 
5.0%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
30,265

 
5.9
%
 
29,157

 
6.1
%
 
3.8%
Total property and casualty insurance
 
$
404,257

 
78.7
%
 
$
385,209

 
80.2
%
 
4.9%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata reinsurance
 
$
32,644

 
6.3
%
 
$
30,096

 
6.3
%
 
8.5%
Excess of loss reinsurance
 
76,968

 
15.0
%
 
65,249

 
13.5
%
 
18.0%
Total reinsurance
 
$
109,612

 
21.3
%
 
$
95,345

 
19.8
%
 
15.0%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
$
513,869

 
100.0
%
 
$
480,554

 
100.0
%
 
6.9%




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