Employers Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Earnings, Extends Stock Repurchase Program and Announces Dividend
Net income for the year ended
As of
Commenting on the results, President and Chief Executive Officer
Fourth quarter net premiums earned increased 25.6% to
Fourth quarter 2008 net investment income increased
Realized losses on investments for the fourth quarter of 2008 totaled
Fourth quarter losses and LAE increased to
In the fourth quarter of 2008, commission expense of
Fourth quarter underwriting and other operating expense increased to
The fourth quarter 2008 income tax benefit of
The fourth quarter 2008 combined ratio of 99.1% (103.4% before the LPT) increased from the fourth quarter 2007 combined ratio of 75.9% (81.1% before the LPT). The full year 2008 combined ratio increased 5.5 percentage points to 85.9% (91.5% before the LPT) from 80.4% (85.6% before the LPT) in 2007, with 2.1 percentage points of the increase related to the acquisition.
EHI also announced today that its Board of Directors has extended the
Company's previously announced stock repurchase program through
Under the program, the Company may repurchase common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated stock repurchase programs, issuer self-tender offers or otherwise, as determined by the Company's management and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and subject to market conditions and other factors. The program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock. The pace of repurchase activity, if any, will depend on many factors, including, without limitation, levels of cash generation from operations, cash requirements for investment in the Company's business, repayment of debt, current stock price and market conditions. The program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time without prior notice.
Additionally, the Board of Directors has declared a first quarter cash
dividend of
Conference Call and Web Cast, Form 10-K
The Company will host a conference call
EHI will file its Form 10-K for the period ended
Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This earnings release includes non-GAAP financial measures used to analyze the Company's operating performance for the periods presented.
A number of these non-GAAP financial measures exclude impacts related to the LPT Agreement. The 1999 LPT Agreement was a non-recurring transaction that does not result in ongoing cash benefits and, consequently, the Company believes these non-GAAP measures are useful in providing stockholders and management a meaningful understanding of the Company's operating performance. In addition, these measures, as defined, are helpful to management in identifying trends in the Company's performance because the items excluded have limited significance in current and ongoing operations.
The Company strongly urges stockholders and other interested persons not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate its business. These non-GAAP measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures and investors should be careful when comparing the Company's non-GAAP financial measures to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Net Income before impact of LPT. Net income less (i) amortization of deferred reinsurance gain--LPT Agreement and (ii) adjustments to LPT Agreement ceded reserves.
Deferred reinsurance gain--LPT Agreement. This reflects the unamortized gain from the LPT Agreement. Under GAAP, this gain is deferred and amortized using the recovery method, whereby the amortization is determined by the proportion of actual reinsurance recoveries to total estimated recoveries, and the amortization is reflected in losses and LAE.
Gross Premiums Written. Gross premiums written is the sum of both direct premiums written and assumed premiums written before the effect of ceded reinsurance. Direct premiums written represents the premiums on all policies the Company's insurance subsidiaries have issued during the year. Assumed premiums written represents the premiums that the insurance subsidiaries have received from an authorized state-mandated pool.
Net Premiums Written. Net premiums written is the sum of direct premiums written and assumed premiums written less ceded premiums written. Ceded premiums written is the portion of direct premiums written that are ceded to reinsurers under reinsurance contracts. The Company uses net premiums written, primarily in relation to gross premiums written, to measure the amount of business retained after cession to reinsurers.
Losses and LAE before impact of LPT. Losses and LAE before (i) amortization of deferred reinsurance gain--LPT Agreement and (ii) adjustments to LPT Agreement ceded reserves.
Losses and LAE Ratio. The losses and LAE ratio is a measure of underwriting profitability. Expressed as a percentage, it is the ratio of losses and LAE to net premiums earned.
Commission Expense Ratio.  Commission expense ratio is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of commission expense to net premiums earned.
Underwriting and Other Operating Expense Ratio. The underwriting and other operating expense ratio is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of underwriting and other operating expense to net premiums earned.
Combined Ratio. The combined ratio represents the percentage of each premium dollar spent on claims and expenses. The combined ratio is the sum of the losses and LAE ratio, the commission expense ratio and the underwriting and other operating expense ratio.
Combined Ratio before impacts of LPT. Combined ratio before impacts of LPT is the GAAP combined ratio before (i) amortization of deferred reinsurance gain--LPT Agreement and (ii) adjustments to LPT Agreement ceded reserves.
Equity including deferred reinsurance gain--LPT. Equity including deferred reinsurance gain--LPT is total equity including the deferred reinsurance gain--LPT Agreement.
Forward-Looking Statements
In this press release, the Company and its management discuss and make statements based on currently available information regarding their intentions, beliefs, current expectations, and projections regarding the Company's future operations and performance. Certain of these statements may constitute "forward-looking" statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and are often identified by words such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "target," "project," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "pro forma," "seek," "likely," or "continue," or other comparable terminology and their negatives.
EHI and its management caution investors that such forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance. Risks and uncertainties
are inherent in EHI's future performance. Factors that could cause the
Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such
forward-looking statements include, among other things, those discussed or
identified from time to time in our public filings with the SEC, including the
risks detailed in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods
ended
All forward-looking statements made in this news release reflect EHI's current views with respect to future events, business transactions and business performance and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. The business of EHI could be affected by, among other things, competition, pricing and policy term trends, the levels of new and renewal business achieved, market acceptance, changes in demand, the frequency and severity of catastrophic events, actual loss experience, uncertainties in the loss reserving and claims settlement process, new theories of liability, judicial, legislative, regulatory and other governmental developments, litigation tactics and developments, investigation developments, the amount and timing of reinsurance recoverables, credit developments among reinsurers, changes in the cost or availability of reinsurance, market developments (including adverse developments in financial markets as a result of, among other things, changes in local, regional or national economic conditions and continued volatility and further deterioration of financial markets), credit and other risks associated with EHI's investment activities, significant changes in investment yield rates, rating agency action, possible terrorism or the outbreak and effects of war and economic, political, regulatory, insurance and reinsurance business conditions, relations with and performance of employee agents, the integration of acquired operations (including the failure to realize anticipated benefits of such acquisitions and potential disruption from the acquisitions making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees, agents or producers), as well as management's response to these factors, and other factors identified in EHI's filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made.
The SEC filings for EHI can be accessed through the "Investors" link on the Company's website, www.employers.com, or through the SEC's EDGAR Database at www.sec.gov (EHI EDGAR CIK No. 0001379041). EHI assumes no obligation to update this release or the information contained herein, which speaks as of the date issued.
Copyright (C) 2009 Employers Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
EMPLOYERS(R) and America's small business insurance specialist.(R) are
registered trademarks of
Employers Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended Years Ended
December 31, December 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007
(unaudited)
Revenues
Gross premiums
written $93,004 $79,384 $322,922 $350,696
Net premiums written $91,043 $76,537 $312,847 $338,569
Net premiums earned $106,105 $84,448 $328,947 $346,884
Net investment income 22,147 19,237 78,062 78,623
Realized (losses)
gains on
investments, net (8,313) 502 (11,524) 180
Other income 138 1,189 1,293 4,236
Total revenues 120,077 105,376 396,778 429,923
Expenses
Losses and loss
adjustment expenses 56,171 31,966 136,515 143,302
Commission expense 13,153 8,539 43,618 44,336
Underwriting and other
operating expenses 35,845 23,621 102,459 91,399
Interest expense 2,135 -- 2,135 --
Total expenses 107,304 64,126 284,727 279,037
Net income before
income taxes 12,773 41,250 112,051 150,886
Income tax (benefit)
expense (3,083) 9,486 10,266 30,603
Net income $15,856 $31,764 $101,785 $120,283
Net income after date
of conversion through
December 31, 2007 $113,812
Reconciliation of net
income and EPS to net
income and EPS before
impact of LPT Agreement
Net income $15,856 $31,764 $101,785 $120,283
Less: Impact of LPT
Agreement
Amortization of
deferred
reinsurance gain -
LPT Agreement 4,513 4,340 18,421 18,034
Net income before
LPT Agreement $11,343 $27,424 $83,364 $102,249
Employers Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
For the For the
Three For the Period
Months Years Feb. 5,
Ended Ended through
Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007
(unaudited)
Net Income $15,856 $31,764 $101,785 $113,812
Earnings per common
share
Basic $0.32 $0.64 $2.07 $2.19
Diluted $0.32 $0.64 $2.07 $2.19
Weighted average
shares outstanding
Basic 48,854,073 49,644,578 49,217,829 51,933,827
Diluted 48,902,010 49,674,533 49,261,228 51,943,412
Pro Forma for
the Twelve
Months Ended
Dec. 31,
2007
Net Income $120,283
Earnings per common share
Basic $2.32
Diluted $2.32
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic (1) 51,748,392
Diluted (1) 51,757,057
Pro Forma
For the For the for the
Three Twelve Twelve
Months Months Months
Ended Ended Ended
Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007
(unaudited)
Earnings per common
share for the three
month period:
Basic $0.32 $0.64 $2.07 $2.32
Diluted $0.32 $0.64 $2.07 $2.32
Earnings per common
share attributable
to the LPT Agreement
Basic $0.09 $0.09 $0.38 $0.34
Diluted $0.09 $0.09 $0.38 $0.34
Pro forma earnings per
common share before
the LPT Agreement
Basic $0.23 $0.55 $1.69 $1.98
Diluted $0.23 $0.55 $1.69 $1.98
(1) The pro forma earnings per common share for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2007 includes shares outstanding for the period after
the Company's conversion on February 5, 2007 (52,818,747), and for
the period prior to the conversion assuming the common stock
available to eligible members (50,000,002).
Employers Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share data)
December 31, December 31,
2008 2007
Assets
Available for Sale:
Fixed maturity investments at fair
value (amortized cost $1,870,227 in
2008 and $1,594,159 in 2007) $1,909,391 $1,618,903
Equity securities at fair value
(cost of $43,014 in 2008 and
$60,551 in 2007)
Short-term investments at fair value
(amortized cost $74,952 at
December 31, 2008) 58,526 107,377
75,024 --
Total investments 2,042,941 1,726,280
Cash and cash equivalents 202,893 149,703
Accrued investment income 24,201 19,345
Premiums receivable, less bad debt
allowance of $7,911 in 2008 and
$6,037 in 2007 91,273 36,402
Reinsurance recoverable for:
Paid losses 12,723 10,218
Unpaid losses, less allowance of
$1,335 in 2008 and $1,308 in 2007 1,075,015 1,051,333
Funds held by or deposited with
reinsureds 88,163 95,884
Deferred policy acquisition costs 32,365 14,901
Federal income taxes recoverable 11,042 --
Deferred income taxes, net 80,968 59,730
Property and equipment, net 14,098 14,133
Intangible assets, net 18,218 --
Goodwill 36,192 --
Other assets 26,621 13,299
Total assets $3,756,713 $3,191,228
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Claims and policy liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment
expenses $2,506,478 $2,269,710
Unearned premiums 139,310 63,924
Policyholders' dividends accrued 8,737 386
Total claims and policy liabilities 2,654,525 2,334,020
Commissions and premium taxes payable 12,691 7,493
Federal income taxes payable -- 13,884
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 24,192 20,682
Deferred reinsurance gain-LPT Agreement 406,581 425,002
Notes payable 182,000 --
Other liabilities 31,996 10,694
Total liabilities 3,311,985 2,811,775
Commitments and contingencies:
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value;
150,000,000 shares authorized;
53,528,207 and 53,527,907 issued
and 48,830,140 and 49,616,635 shares
outstanding at December 31, 2008 and
December 31, 2007 respectively 535 535
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value;
25,000,000 shares authorized;
none issued -- --
Additional paid-in capital 306,032 302,862
Retained earnings 194,509 104,536
Accumulated other comprehensive income,
net 32,804 46,520
Treasury stock, at cost (4,698,067
shares at December 31, 2008 and
3,911,272 shares at
December 31, 2007) (89,152) (75,000)
Total stockholders' equity 444,728 379,453
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $3,756,713 $3,191,228
December 31, December 31,
2008 2007
Equity including deferred reinsurance
gain - LPT
Total stockholders' equity $444,728 $379,453
Deferred reinsurance gain -
LPT Agreement 406,581 425,002
Total equity including deferred
reinsurance gain - LPT Agreement $851,309 $804,455
Employers Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Years Ended
December 31,
2008 2007
Operating activities
Net income $101,785 $120,283
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 7,226 6,406
Stock-based compensation 3,161 1,720
Amortization of premium on investments,
net 6,226 6,430
Allowance for doubtful accounts -
premiums receivable (705) (874)
Allowance for doubtful accounts -
unpaid reinsurance recoverable 27 32
Deferred income tax expense 4,511 4,779
Realized losses (gains) on
investments, net 11,524 (180)
Realized losses on retirement
of assets 22 23
Change in operating assets and
liabilities, net of effect of
acquisition:
Accrued investment income (469) (914)
Premiums receivable 23,203 15,783
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and
unpaid losses 37,938 46,317
Funds held by or deposited with
reinsureds 7,721 7,071
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment
expenses (71,980) (38,045)
Unearned premiums (20,471) (9,331)
Federal income taxes payable (20,672) (10,378)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and
other liabilities (3,527) (9,428)
Deferred reinsurance gain -
LPT Agreement (18,421) (18,034)
Other 215 (1,506)
Net cash provided by operating
activities 67,314 120,154
Investing activities
Purchase of fixed maturities (113,587) (252,275)
Purchase of equity securities (558) (1,037)
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities 42,467 208,697
Proceeds from sale of equity securities 4,010 4,264
Proceeds from maturities and
redemptions of investments 105,424 55,475
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash
and cash equivalents acquired (168,903) --
Capital expenditures and other, net (3,926) (4,964)
Net cash (used in) provided by
investing activities (135,073) 10,160
Financing activities
Issuance of common stock, net -- 486,670
Cash paid to eligible policyholders
under plan of conversion -- (462,989)
Acquisition of treasury stock (14,152) (75,000)
Dividends paid to stockholders (11,808) (9,276)
Debt issuance costs (375) --
Payments on notes payable (2,678) --
Proceeds from notes payable 150,000 --
Other (38) --
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities 120,949 (60,595)
Net increase in cash and cash
equivalents 53,190 69,719
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the year 149,703 79,984
Cash and cash equivalents at the
end of the year $202,893 $149,703
Cash paid for income taxes $22,526 $36,200
Cash paid for interest 1,782 --
Schedule of non-cash transactions
Stock issued in exchange for
membership interest $-- $281,073
Employers Holdings, Inc.
Calculation of Combined Ratio before the Impact
of the LPT Agreement
(In thousands, except for percentages)
Three Months Ended Years Ended
December 31, December 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007
(unaudited)
Net Premiums Earned $106,105 $84,448 $328,947 $346,884
Losses and Loss
Adjustment Expenses $56,171 $31,966 $136,515 $143,302
Loss & LAE Ratio 52.9% 37.9% 41.5% 41.3%
Losses and Loss
Adjustment Expenses $56,171 $31,966 $136,515 $143,302
Impacts of LPT 4,513 4,340 18,421 18,034
Loss & LAE before
impacts of LPT $60,684 $36,306 $154,936 $161,336
LPT Impacts to
the Loss &
LAE Ratio 4.3% 5.1% 5.6% 5.2%
Loss & LAE Ratio before
impacts of LPT 57.2% 43.0% 47.1% 46.5%
Commission Expense $13,153 $8,539 $43,618 $44,336
Commission
Expense Ratio 12.4% 10.1% 13.3% 12.8%
Underwriting & Other
Operating Expenses $35,845 $23,621 $102,459 $91,399
Underwriting & Other
Operating Expenses
Ratio 33.8% 28.0% 31.1% 26.3%
Total Expense $105,169 $64,126 $282,592 $279,037
Combined Ratio 99.1% 75.9% 85.9% 80.4%
Total Expense before
impacts of the LPT $109,682 $68,466 $301,013 $297,071
Combined Ratio before
impacts of LPT 103.4% 81.1% 91.5% 85.6%
SOURCE
CONTACT:
Media -
Vice President, Corporate Marketing,
+1-775-327-2677,
tvukelich@employers.com,
Analysts -
Vice
President, Investor Relations,
+1-775-327-2794,
verickson@employers.com
Web Site: http://www.employers.com
