Attached files

file filename
8-K - FORM 8-K - MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP INCk49213e8vk.htm
Exhibit 99.1
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
(NYSE — MIG)
CONTACT:     Karen M. Spaun, SVP & Chief Financial Officer, (248) 204-8178
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2010 RESULTS
     Net income per share up 25% to $0.30 per share
     Net operating income per share up 7.1% to $0.30 per share
     Full year 2010 net operating income guidance is adjusted upward to a range of $0.90 to $1.00 per share
     Combined Ratio of 92.1%
     Gross Written Premium up 29.5%
     Book Value per share of $9.43
SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
May 3, 2010
First Quarter 2010 Highlights and Overview:
    Net income increased $2.9 million to $16.4 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010, compared to $13.5 million or $0.24 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2009.
 
    Net operating income, a non-GAAP measure, increased $484,000 to $16.8 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010, up from $16.3 million or $0.28 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2009.
 
    The combined ratio was 92.1% in the first quarter of 2010, compared to 88.2% for the first quarter of 2009.
 
    Full year 2010 net operating income guidance is adjusted upward, to a range of $0.90 to $1.00 per diluted share.
 
    Gross written premium increased by $47.2 million, or 29.5%, to $207.2 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $160.0 million in the first quarter of 2009
 
    Book value per share increased to $9.43 per share, compared to $9.06 per share at December 31, 2009.
 
    We repurchased 1.5 million shares during the first quarter of 2010, resulting in an increase to book value of $0.05 per share.
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: MIG) reported that first quarter 2010 net operating income, a non-GAAP measure, grew by $484,000 to $16.8 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, up from $16.3 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2009. Net income increased in the first quarter of 2010 by $2.9 million to $16.4 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to $13.5 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2009.
PR-0410

 


 

PRESS RELEASE   PAGE 2
First quarter gross written premium increased 29.5% to $207.2 million, compared to $160.0 million in the first quarter of 2009. The increase in premium is primarily due to new business initiated in the second half of 2009.
First quarter net earned premium increased 17.4% to $151.4 million, compared to $129.0 million in the first quarter of 2009.
The 2010 first quarter GAAP combined ratio was 92.1%, compared to 88.2% for the first quarter of 2009. Net loss and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) increased $12.6 million, to $87.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from $74.9 million for the same period in 2009. Our loss and LAE ratio decreased 0.2 percentage points to 57.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from 58.0% for the same period in 2009. The accident year loss and LAE ratio was 64.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 down from 64.5% for the comparable period in 2009. This decrease reflects the refinement of our cost allocation process between internal claims and policy administration costs, offset by an increase in the 2010 accident year losses for the quarter, as a result of isolated winter storm losses.
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses increased $12.9 million, to $51.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $39.0 million for the same period in 2009. Our expense ratio increased 4.1 percentage points to 34.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from 30.2% for the same period in 2009. This increase reflects the above mentioned refinement in our internal costs allocation process between internal claims handling costs and policy administrative costs, as a well as the allocation between general administrative expenses and policy administration costs. In addition, there was a slight increase in commission expense relating to new business added in the second half of 2009 where the agent performs additional policy issuance activities. Lastly, the 2009 expense ratio was favorably impacted by lower insurance related assessments, primarily related to premium tax credits received from 2008 premium tax returns, which lowered the expense ratio by 1.3 percentage points for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
Net commission and fee revenue for the first quarter of 2010 declined by 3.6% to $9.9 million compared to $10.2 million in the first quarter of 2009. This decline reflects a slight decrease in fees related to some of our self-insured programs, caused by a decrease in premium volume from continued competition and challenging economic conditions.
Commenting on the results, Meadowbrook President and Chief Executive Officer Robert S. Cubbin stated: “We are off to a good start in 2010. Net operating income improved compared to last year, and our 29.5% growth in gross written premium is due to new business relationships implemented during the last half of 2009. We continue to be selective in our growth and our focus is on maintaining price adequacy. While the market remains competitive, our underwriting discipline continues to hold up, and our accident year loss ratio improved slightly. We are working from a strong capital position, and we constantly monitor our capital needs. Throughout 2009, and now into 2010, we have worked to balance the need to hold capital to support our long term premium objectives with our share repurchases. During the first quarter, we repurchased approximately 1.5 million shares at an average price of $7.51 per share.”
2010 Guidance Adjusted Upward
Based upon our first quarter results and the impact of our active share repurchase plan, we are increasing our full year guidance upward. We expect net operating income to be in a range of $50.0 million to $55.0 million, or $0.90 to $1.00 per share. We expect gross written premium in a range of $790 million to $815 million, and we expect a combined ratio of 94.5% to 96.0%. Commenting on the 2010 outlook, Mr. Cubbin stated: “We are pleased with our continued growth in earnings and the positive results of new business initiated in the second half of 2009, which have started to contribute to our bottom line. We are maintaining our focus on price adequacy, disciplined underwriting, efficient claims handling and geographic and product diversification, which is enhancing our ability to manage through this prolonged competitive market with profitable growth.”

 


 

PRESS RELEASE   PAGE 3
Other Matters
Shareholders’ Equity:
At March 31, 2010, shareholders’ equity was $511.5 million, or $9.43 per common share, compared to $502.9 million, or $9.06 per common share, at December 31, 2009.
Book value per share excluding unrealized gains increased $0.28 per share to $8.87 per share from $8.59 per share.
At March 31, 2010, our debt-to-equity ratio was 25.0%, compared to 26.0% at December 31, 2009. Our debt-to-equity ratio excluding debentures was 9.2% at March 31, 2010, compared to 9.9% at December 31, 2009.
Dividend and Share Repurchases:
On April 30, 2010, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share payable on June 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of May 14, 2010.
We repurchased approximately 1.5 million shares during the first quarter of 2010 at an average cost of $7.51 per share. We have approximately 3.5 million remaining shares under the share repurchase authorization.
Investment Portfolio:
For the first quarter of 2010 our pre-tax book yield was 4.4%, which is unchanged compared to the first quarter of 2009. The effective duration of the portfolio was 5.2 years at March 31, 2010, compared to 4.6 years at March 31, 2009 and 5.1 years at December 31, 2009.
Net investment income for the first quarter of 2010 increased 5.6% to $13.0 million, up from $12.3 million in the first quarter of 2009. The increase reflects an increase in average invested assets due to positive cash flow from operations and profitable underwriting results.
Conference Call
Meadowbrook’s 2010 first quarter results will be discussed by management in more detail on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
To listen to the call please dial 1-877-407-8035 approximately five minutes prior to the start of the call and ask for the Meadowbrook conference call. Additionally, the conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by all interested parties via the investor relations section of our website at www.meadowbrook.com or www.investorcalendar.com.
For those who cannot listen to the live conference call, a replay of the call will be available through Tuesday, May 11, 2010 by dialing 1-877-660-6853 and referring to conference ID 349644 and account number 286. The webcast will be archived and available for replay through Wednesday, August 4, 2010.
About Meadowbrook Insurance Group
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc., based in Southfield, Michigan, is a leader in the specialty program management market. Meadowbrook includes several agencies, claims and loss prevention facilities, self-insured management organizations and seven property and casualty insurance underwriting companies, including one in Bermuda. Meadowbrook has twenty-six locations in the United States. Meadowbrook is a risk management organization, specializing in specialty risk management solutions for agents, professional and trade associations, and small to medium-sized insureds. Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MIG”. For further information, please visit Meadowbrook’s corporate web site at www.meadowbrook.com.
Certain statements made by Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. in this release may constitute forward-looking statements including, but not

 


 

PRESS RELEASE   PAGE 4
limited to, those statements that include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” or similar expressions. Please refer to the Company’s most recent 10-K, 10-Q, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings for more information on risk factors. Actual results could differ materially. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to the following: the frequency and severity of claims; uncertainties inherent in reserve estimates; catastrophic events; a change in the demand for, pricing of, availability or collectability of reinsurance; increased rate pressure on premiums; obtainment of certain rate increases in current market conditions; investment rate of return; changes in and adherence to insurance regulation; actions taken by regulators, rating agencies or lenders; obtainment of certain processing efficiencies; changing rates of inflation; and general economic conditions. Meadowbrook is not under any obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 


 

EARNINGS RELEASE   PAGE 5
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARNINGS RELEASE
UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
                 
    MARCH 31,     DECEMBER 31,  
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)   2010     2009  
 
               
BALANCE SHEET DATA
               
 
               
ASSETS
               
Cash and invested assets
  $ 1,243,335     $ 1,203,215  
Premium and agents balances
    178,275       155,327  
Reinsurance recoverable
    277,251       274,525  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    76,988       68,787  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    35,523       35,298  
Goodwill
    118,842       118,842  
Other assets
    129,519       133,822  
 
           
 
               
Total Assets
  $ 2,059,733     $ 1,989,816  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES
               
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
  $ 978,448     $ 949,177  
Unearned premium reserves
    353,475       325,915  
Debt
    47,063       49,875  
Debentures
    80,930       80,930  
Other liabilities
    88,274       81,038  
 
           
Total Liabilities
    1,548,190       1,486,935  
 
               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Common stockholders’ equity
    511,543       502,881  
 
           
 
               
Total Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 2,059,733     $ 1,989,816  
 
           
 
               
Book value per common share
  $ 9.43     $ 9.06  
 
               
Book value per common share excluding unrealized gain/loss, net of deferred taxes
  $ 8.87     $ 8.59  

 


 

EARNINGS RELEASE   PAGE 6
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARNINGS RELEASE
UNAUDITED INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION
                 
    FOR THE QUARTER  
(In Thousands, Except   ENDED MARCH 31,  
Share & Per Share Data)   2010     2009 (1)  
SUMMARY DATA
               
Gross written premiums
  $ 207,173     $ 159,991  
Net written premiums
    178,776       133,516  
 
               
REVENUES
               
Net earned premiums
  $ 151,441     $ 129,038  
Net commissions and fees
    9,868       10,237  
Net investment income
    13,029       12,342  
Net realized losses
    (134 )     (1,992 )
 
           
Total Revenues
    174,204       149,625  
 
               
EXPENSES
               
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
    87,480       74,895  
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses
    51,879       38,993  
General selling and administrative expenses
    5,906       8,166  
General corporate expenses
    1,977       1,922  
Amortization expense
    1,401       1,508  
Interest expense
    2,443       2,782  
 
           
Total Expenses
    151,086       128,266  
 
               
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES AND UNCONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
    23,118       21,359  
Income tax expense
    7,658       7,869  
Equity earnings of affiliates, net of tax
    522        
Equity earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net of tax
    452       50  
 
           
NET INCOME
  $ 16,434     $ 13,540  
 
           
 
               
Less: Net realized losses, net of tax
    (387 )     (2,797 )
 
               
NET OPERATING INCOME (2)
  $ 16,821     $ 16,337  
 
           
 
               
Amortization expense
    1,401       1,508  
 
               
NET OPERATING INCOME, excluding amortization expense (3)
  $ 18,222     $ 17,845  
 
           
 
               
 
               
Diluted earnings per common share
               
Net income
  $ 0.30     $ 0.24  
Net operating income
  $ 0.30     $ 0.28  
Net operating income, excluding amortization expense
  $ 0.33     $ 0.31  
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
    55,477,098       57,410,327  
 
               
GAAP ratios:
               
 
               
Loss & LAE ratio
    57.8 %     58.0 %
Other underwriting expense ratio
    34.3 %     30.2 %
 
           
GAAP combined ratio
    92.1 %     88.2 %
 
           
 
(1)   During the first quarter of March 31, 2010, the Company made certain reclassifications to the expense classifications on the Consolidated Statement of Income. These reclassifications were made to enable the user of the financial statements to calculate the GAAP combined ratio directly from the Consolidated Statement of Income. As a result, the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2009, has been reclassified to conform to this revised presentation. These reclassifications do not change total expenses or consolidated net income as originally reported for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Please refer to Form 8-K filed on May 3, 2010 for further detail.
 
(2)   While net operating income is a non-GAAP disclosure, management believes this information is beneficial to reviewing the financial statements. Net operating income is net income less realized gains (losses) net of taxes associated with such gains (losses).
 
(3)   While net operating income, excluding amortization expense, is a non-GAAP disclosure, management believes this information is beneficial to reviewing the financial statements. Management believes this information is beneficial as amortization expense reflects an interim non-cash charge and in the long-term cash earnings will reflect GAAP earnings as we complete the amortization periods associated with current acquisitions. Net operating income, excluding amortization expense, is net income less realized gains (losses) net of taxes associated with such gains (losses) and less amortization expense.