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8-K - TOWER GROUP, INC. 8-K - Tower Group International, Ltd.a6823111.htm

Exhibit 99.1

Tower Group Reports Second Quarter Operating Earnings per Diluted Share of $0.63

Operating Earnings per Share Increased 23.5% Over 2010
Book Value per Share Up 3.1% in the Quarter, 8.5% since Second Quarter 2010
Annualized Operating ROE of 9.9% in the Quarter and 8.8% Year to Date

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 8, 2011--Tower Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWGP) today reported net income available to common shareholders of $24.1 million, or $0.58 per diluted share. Net income in the second quarter of 2010 was $25.6 million, or $0.58 per diluted share.

Operating income (1) increased by 14.7% to $26.0 million in the second quarter of 2011 from $22.6 million in the same quarter last year, while diluted operating earnings per share (1) increased by 23.5% to $0.63 per share from $0.51 per share. Operating income was impacted by severe weather-related claims in the second quarter: after-tax losses from these events amounted to $4.6 million or $0.11 per share. The storm losses added 1.8 points to the second quarter 2011 loss ratio for the combined segments. Tower reported no severe weather losses in the second quarter of 2010.

In October 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new guidance concerning the accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. Under the new guidance, only direct incremental costs associated with successful insurance contract acquisitions or renewals are deferrable. Tower adopted this guidance early, effective January 1, 2011, and has retrospectively adjusted its previously issued financial information, reducing previously reported diluted earnings per share for the second quarter 2010 by $0.05 per share.

Highlights (all figures compare second quarter 2011 results to the results for the same period in 2010 except as noted):

  • Gross premiums written increased by 41.1% to $468.0 million.
  • For the combined insurance segments, the net combined ratio rose slightly to 94.9% from 94.5% (Excluding the business that Tower manages on behalf of the Reciprocal Exchanges, the net combined ratio was 95.4% for the second quarter of 2011).
    • The net loss ratio rose to 61.2% from 58.6%.
    • The net expense ratio improved to 33.7% from 35.9%.
  • Net investment income increased by 32.9% to $31.8 million.
  • Book value per share was $26.01; during the quarter, Tower also paid cash dividends of $0.19 per share.
  • Tower Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity was $1.1 billion as of June 30, 2011.

Michael H. Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tower Group, Inc., said, “During the second quarter, we continued to show positive trends in our business by successfully executing our business strategies. Despite significant industry catastrophe losses and challenging market conditions, we were able to generate strong operating results during the quarter by maintaining underwriting and cost discipline and by profitably growing our business through acquisitions and new organic growth initiatives. We expect our operating results for the second half of the year to continue to improve as we leverage our expenses with higher premium volume resulting from the new growth initiatives and realize a lower loss ratio than we have in the first half of the year. Overall, we are pleased with our progress in executing our revamped business strategy to generate organic growth in profitable specialty markets while improving profitability in our existing commercial and personal lines units.”

Financial Summary ($ in thousands, except per share data):
         
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2011 2010 2011 2010
Gross premiums written $ 467,984 $ 331,662 $ 857,532 $ 614,911
Net premiums written 428,995 292,442 789,013 539,735
Total commission and fee income 13,241 9,713 24,202 21,228
Net investment income 31,798 23,931 64,176 47,106
Net realized investment gains (losses) (2,314 ) 5,166 5,046 5,906
Total revenues 436,255 311,777 866,749 615,253
Other expense - - - (466 )
Net income attributable to Tower Group, Inc. 24,121 25,642 49,806 38,694
Earnings per share—Basic $ 0.58 $ 0.58 $ 1.20 $ 0.87
Earnings per share—Diluted $ 0.58 $ 0.58 $ 1.20 $ 0.86
Return on average equity 9.2 % 10.6 % 9.5 % 8.0 %
 
Combined Commercial and Personal Segments
Net premiums earned $ 393,530 $ 272,967 $ 773,325 $ 541,013
Net loss ratio 61.2 % 58.6 % 62.2 % 60.8 %
Net expense ratio 33.7 % 35.9 % 34.1 % 36.0 %
 
Commercial Insurance Segment
Net premiums earned $ 263,735 $ 230,144 $ 515,503 $ 463,575
Net loss ratio 63.2 % 63.3 % 64.2 % 60.7 %
Net expense ratio 30.6 % 35.7 % 31.7 % 35.2 %
 
Personal Insurance Segment
Net premiums earned $ 129,795 $ 42,823 $ 257,822 $ 77,438
Net loss ratio 57.2 % 32.9 % 58.2 % 61.6 %
Net expense ratio 39.9 % 36.9 % 39.0 % 40.8 %
 
Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures:
Net income attributable to Tower Group, Inc. $ 24,121 $ 25,642 $ 49,806 $ 38,694
Less: net realized gains (losses) on investments attributable to Tower Group, Inc. (2,857 ) 5,166 5,380 5,906
Add: acquisition-related transaction costs (2) - (393 ) (12 ) (1,250 )
Add: income tax effects on above items   1,000     (1,779 )   (1,882 )   (1,975 )
Operating income attributable to Tower Group, Inc. $   25,978   $   22,648   $   46,320   $   36,013  
 
Operating earnings per share—Basic $ 0.63 $ 0.51 $ 1.12 $ 0.81
Operating earnings per share—Diluted $ 0.63 $ 0.51 $ 1.12 $ 0.80
Operating return on average equity 9.9 % 9.4 % 8.8 % 7.5 %

Second Quarter 2011 Highlights

Consolidated

Gross premiums written increased to $468.0 million in the second quarter, 41.1% higher than in the second quarter of 2010. Excluding programs, policies in-force increased by 78.1% as of June 30, 2011, compared to June 30, 2010. Most of the growth resulted from the acquisition of OneBeacon Personal Lines (OBPL) business at the beginning of the third quarter of 2010.

On a consolidated basis, Tower achieved overall premium increases of 1.7% across its renewed Commercial and Personal policies. The overall retention rate was 84.8% in the second quarter of 2011, up from 82.0% in the first quarter this year.

The net loss ratio was 61.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared to 58.6% for the same period in 2010. (Excluding the business Tower manages on behalf of the reciprocal exchanges, the net loss ratio was 62.4% for the second quarter of 2011.) Excluding the impact of severe weather related claims recorded in the second quarter 2011, the net loss ratio was 59.4% compared to 58.6% in 2010. In addition, the net loss ratio was unfavorably impacted by $3.3 million resulting from the partial settlement of a dispute regarding ceded reinsurance.

Tower’s net expense ratio, at 33.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2011, was an improvement from the 35.9% during the same period in 2010. (Excluding the business that Tower manages on behalf of the Reciprocal Exchanges, the net expense ratio was 33.0% for the second quarter of 2011.)

Net investment income increased 32.9% to $31.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, up from $23.9 million for the same period in 2010. The tax equivalent investment yield of the company’s fixed maturity portfolio at amortized cost was 4.7% at June 30, 2011, compared to 5.2% at June 30, 2010. Net realized investment losses were $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared to a gain of $5.2 million in the same period last year. The second quarter investment loss included other-than-temporarily impaired credit losses of $0.2 million, improving from $0.4 million of such losses in the second quarter of 2010.

Total commission and fee income increased 36.3% to $13.2 million in the second quarter of 2011 compared to $9.7 million in the second quarter of 2010.

Interest expense increased by $3.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010.

Commercial Lines

Gross written premiums increased 12.9% in the second quarter 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. The growth was primarily due to the renewal rights transactions entered into in November 2010 and January 2011 for commercial automobile and workers compensation as well as new initiatives in Tower’s customized solutions and assumed reinsurance businesses.

For the three months ended June 30, 2011, premium on renewed Commercial Insurance business excluding programs increased 1.3% compared to the same period in 2010. The Commercial Insurance business renewal retention rate, excluding programs, was 77.4%, up from 74.8% in the first quarter of 2011.


Personal Lines

On a combined basis (including Tower Personal Insurance and business that is managed on behalf of the Exchanges), gross written premiums were $152.1 million in the second quarter, up from $51.9 million in the same period last year, mostly due to the acquisition of OBPL business at the beginning of the third quarter of 2010. Gross written premium of the Reciprocal Exchanges was $55 million, or roughly 36% of the total premium in the segment.

Premium on renewed personal lines policies increased 2.1%, on average, during the second quarter of 2011, while the retention rate rose to 86.5%, up from 83.8% in the first quarter of 2011.

Insurance Services

Insurance Services provides underwriting, claims, policy administration and reinsurance brokerage services to insurance companies, primarily the Reciprocal Exchanges which Tower consolidates in its financial statements, but does not own. Tower receives management fee income for the services provided to the Exchanges, which totaled $7.7 million in the second quarter of 2011. Tower does not bear underwriting risk on this business.

Additional Highlights and Disclosures

Dividend Declaration

Tower’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend on August 4, 2011, of $0.1875 per share payable on September 23, 2011, to stockholders of record as of September 12, 2011.

2011 Guidance

Due to the recently announced severe weather-related activity, Tower expects 2011 operating earnings per share to be at the lower end of its previously announced range of $2.70 to $2.90.

Notes on Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(1) Operating income excludes realized gains and losses, acquisition-related transaction costs and the results of the reciprocal business, net of tax. Operating income is a common measurement for property and casualty insurance companies. We believe this presentation enhances the understanding of our results of operations by highlighting the underlying profitability of our insurance business. Additionally, these measures are a key internal management performance standard. Operating earnings per share is operating income divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Operating return on equity is annualized operating income divided by average common stockholders' equity.

(2) For the three month period ended June 30, 2011, Tower recorded no acquisition-related transaction costs that were not deemed deductible for tax purposes compared to $0.4 million of acquisition-related transaction costs that were not deemed deductible for tax purposes for the three month period ended June 30, 2010. A tax rate of 35% was used for those acquisition-related transaction costs that were tax deductible.

Conference Call

Tower will host a conference call to discuss these results on Tuesday, August 9, at 9:00 a.m. ET. A PowerPoint slide presentation will accompany the prepared remarks, which Tower will post, along with a recording of the conference call, in the investor relations section of Tower Group, Inc.’s website at www.twrgrp.com. To listen, please visit the Investor Information section of www.twrgrp.com, or use this link: http://investor.twrgrp.com/events.cfm

Please access the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register and download any necessary audio software.


About Tower Group, Inc.

Tower Group, Inc. offers diversified property and casualty insurance products and services through its operating subsidiaries. Its insurance company subsidiaries offer insurance products to individuals and small to medium-sized businesses through a network of retail and wholesale agents and specialty business through program underwriting agents. Tower’s insurance services subsidiaries provide underwriting, claims and reinsurance brokerage services to other insurance companies.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. This press release and any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of Tower may include forward-looking statements that reflect Tower's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" and "continue" or their negative or variations or similar terminology. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause the actual results of Tower to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. Please refer to Tower’s filings with the SEC, including among others Tower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and subsequent filings on Form 10-Q, for a description of the important factors that could cause the actual results of Tower to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Tower undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

For more information, visit Tower's website at http://www.twrgrp.com/

Tower has changed the presentation of its business results, beginning July 1, 2010, by allocating the personal insurance business previously reported in either the Brokerage Insurance or Specialty Business segments along with the newly acquired OBPL business to a new Personal Insurance segment and merged the commercial business previously reported in either the Brokerage Insurance or Specialty Business segments in a new Commercial Insurance segment.


Tower has retained its Insurance Services segment, which will include fees earned by management companies acquired as a part of the OBPL transaction. This change in presentation reflects the way management organizes the segments for making operating decisions and assessing profitability subsequent to the OBPL acquisition. This has resulted in the reporting of three operating segments. The prior period segment disclosures have been restated to conform to the current presentation. Following the change in presentation described above, Tower now operates three business segments:

Commercial Insurance Segment offers a broad range of commercial lines property and casualty insurance products to small to mid-sized businesses distributed through a network of retail and wholesale agents on both an admitted and non-admitted basis. This segment also includes reinsurance solutions provided primarily to small insurance companies;

Personal Insurance Segment offers a broad range of personal lines property and casualty insurance products to individuals distributed through a network of retail and wholesale agents; and

Insurance Services Segment provides underwriting, claims and reinsurance brokerage services to insurance companies.


Commercial Insurance & Personal Insurance Combined
($ in thousands)
(Unaudited)
     
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2011   2010 2011   2010
Revenues
Premiums earned
Gross premiums earned $ 445,837 $ 320,937 $ 869,760 $ 642,756
Less: ceded premiums earned (52,307) (47,970) (96,435) (101,743)
Net premiums earned 393,530 272,967 773,325 541,013
Ceding commission revenue 10,655 8,453 18,836 18,641
Policy billing fees 2,659 1,010 4,837 1,781
Total revenues 406,844 282,430 796,998 561,435
Expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expenses
Gross loss and loss adjustment expenses 253,065 190,280 511,191 387,230
Less: ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses (12,219) (30,412) (30,169) (58,025)
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses 240,846 159,868 481,022 329,205
Underwriting expenses
Direct commission expense 76,568 58,551 152,916 116,474
Other underwriting expenses 69,315 48,788 134,468 98,791
Total underwriting expenses 145,883 107,339 287,384 215,265
Underwriting profit $ 20,115 $ 15,223 $ 28,592 $ 16,965
 
Key Measures
Premiums written
Gross premiums written $ 467,984 $ 331,662 $ 857,532 $ 614,911
Less: ceded premiums written (38,989) (39,220) (68,519) (75,176)
Net premiums written $ 428,995 $ 292,442 $ 789,013 $ 539,735
 
Calendar Year Loss Ratios
Gross 56.8% 59.3% 58.8% 60.2%
Net 61.2% 58.6% 62.2% 60.8%
Underwriting Expense Ratios
Gross 32.1% 33.1% 32.5% 33.2%
Net 33.7% 35.9% 34.1% 36.0%
Combined Ratios
Gross 88.9% 92.4% 91.3% 93.4%
Net 94.9% 94.5% 96.3% 96.8%

Commercial Insurance Segment Information
($ in thousands)
(Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2011   2010 2011   2010
Revenues
Premiums earned
Gross premiums earned $ 285,978 $ 274,102 $ 562,529 $ 552,730
Less: ceded premiums earned (22,243) (43,958) (47,026) (89,155)
Net premiums earned 263,735 230,144 515,503 463,575
Ceding commission revenue 4,710 9,428 8,728 18,570
Policy billing fees 1,114 710 1,878 1,290
Total revenues 269,559 240,282 526,109 483,435
Expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expenses
Gross loss and loss adjustment expenses 161,741 174,920 343,435 337,510
Less: ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses 4,856 (29,151) (12,348) (55,981)
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses 166,597 145,769 331,087 281,529
Underwriting expenses
Direct commission expense 49,770 50,711 100,248 100,716
Other underwriting expenses 36,863 41,501 73,613 82,365
Total underwriting expenses 86,633 92,212 173,861 183,081
Underwriting profit $ 16,329 $ 2,301 $ 21,161 $ 18,825
 
Key Measures
Premiums written
Gross premiums written $ 315,866 $ 279,767 $ 578,878 $ 527,279
Less: ceded premiums written (20,345) (34,882) (32,236) (62,957)
Net premiums written $ 295,521 $ 244,885 $ 546,642 $ 464,322
 
Calendar Year Loss Ratios
Gross 56.6% 63.8% 61.1% 61.1%
Net 63.2% 63.3% 64.2% 60.7%
Underwriting Expense Ratios
Gross 29.9% 33.4% 30.6% 32.9%
Net 30.6% 35.7% 31.7% 35.2%
Combined Ratios
Gross 86.5% 97.2% 91.7% 94.0%
Net 93.8% 99.0% 95.9% 95.9%

Personal Insurance Segment Information
($ in thousands)
(Unaudited)
       
Three Months Ended June 30,
2011
Reciprocal
      Tower     Exchanges     Total     2010
Revenues
Premiums earned
Gross premiums earned $ 96,156 $ 63,703 $ 159,859 $ 46,835
Less: ceded premiums earned (17,101) (12,963) (30,064) (4,012)
Net premiums earned 79,055 50,740 129,795 42,823
Ceding commission revenue 4,414 1,531 5,945 (975)
Policy billing fees 1,398 147 1,545 300
Total revenues 84,867 52,418 137,285 42,148
Expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expenses
Gross loss and loss adjustment expenses 58,363 32,961 91,324 15,360
Less: ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses (10,990) (6,085) (17,075) (1,261)
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses 47,373 26,876 74,249 14,099
Underwriting expenses
Direct commission expense 20,333 6,465 26,798 7,840
Other underwriting expenses 17,811 14,641 32,452 7,287
Total underwriting expenses 38,144 21,106 59,250 15,127
Underwriting profit $ (650) $ 4,436 $ 3,786 $ 12,922
 
Key Measures
Premiums written
Gross premiums written $ 97,085 $ 55,033 $ 152,118 $ 51,895
Less: ceded premiums written (8,741) (9,903) (18,644) (4,338)
Net premiums written $ 88,344 $ 45,130 $ 133,474 $ 47,557
 
Calendar Year Loss Ratios
Gross 60.7% 51.7% 57.1% 32.8%
Net 59.9% 53.0% 57.2% 32.9%
Underwriting Expense Ratios
Gross 38.2% 32.9% 36.1% 31.7%
Net 40.9% 38.3% 39.9% 36.9%
Combined Ratios
Gross 98.9% 84.6% 93.2% 64.5%
Net 100.8% 91.3% 97.1% 69.8%

Personal Insurance Segment Information
($ in thousands)
(Unaudited)
         
Six Months Ended June 30,
2011
Reciprocal
      Tower     Exchanges     Total     2010
Revenues
Premiums earned
Gross premiums earned $ 191,499 $ 115,732 $ 307,231 $ 90,026
Less: ceded premiums earned (29,675) (19,734) (49,409) (12,588)
Net premiums earned 161,824 95,998 257,822 77,438
Ceding commission revenue 7,214 2,894 10,108 71
Policy billing fees 2,668 291 2,959 491
Total revenues 171,706 99,183 270,889 78,000
Expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expenses
Gross loss and loss adjustment expenses 111,278 56,478 167,756 49,720
Less: ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses (11,947) (5,874) (17,821) (2,044)
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses 99,331 50,604 149,935 47,676
Underwriting expenses
Direct commission expense 35,629 17,039 52,668 15,758
Other underwriting expenses 34,182 26,673 60,855 16,426
Total underwriting expenses 69,811 43,712 113,523 32,184
Underwriting profit $ 2,564 $ 4,867 $ 7,431 $ (1,860)
 
Key Measures
Premiums written
Gross premiums written $ 175,804 $ 102,850 $ 278,654 $ 87,632
Less: ceded premiums written (19,191) (17,092) (36,283) (12,219)
Net premiums written $ 156,613 $ 85,758 $ 242,371 $ 75,413
 
Calendar Year Loss Ratios
Gross 58.1% 48.8% 54.6% 55.2%
Net 61.4% 52.7% 58.2% 61.6%
Underwriting Expense Ratios
Gross 35.1% 37.5% 36.0% 35.2%
Net 37.0% 42.2% 39.0% 40.8%
Combined Ratios
Gross 93.2% 86.3% 90.6% 90.4%
Net 98.4% 94.9% 97.2% 102.4%

Insurance Services Segment Results of Operations
($ in thousands)
(Unaudited)
           
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2011 2010 2011 2010
Revenue
Management fee income $ 7,704 $ - $ 14,399 $ -
Other revenue (73) 250 529 806
Total revenue 7,631 250 14,928 806
Expenses
Other expenses 4,977 419 10,018 791
Total expenses 4,977 419 10,018 791
Insurance services pre-tax income $ 2,654 $ (169) $ 4,910 $ 15

Tower Group, Inc.    
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
 
June 30, December 31,
($ in thousands, except par value and share amounts)   2011   2010
Assets
Investments - Tower
Available-for-sale investments, at fair value:
Fixed-maturity securities (amortized cost of $2,059,101 and $1,968,670) $ 2,145,114 $ 2,041,557
Equity securities (cost of $93,449 and $91,218) 93,677 90,317
Short-term investments (cost of $4,998 and $1,560) 4,998 1,560
Investments - Reciprocal Exchanges
Available-for-sale investments, at fair value:
Fixed-maturity securities (amortized cost of $292,287 and $338,494) 299,554 341,054
Equity securities (cost of $1,965 and $0)     2,364     -
Total investments 2,545,707 2,474,488
Cash and cash equivalents (includes $23,159 and $2,796 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges) 60,412 102,877
Investment income receivable (includes $2,645 and $3,021 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges) 25,858 23,562
Premiums receivable (includes $38,757 and $53,953 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges) 385,820 387,584
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses (includes $3,380 and $2,167 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges) 26,439 18,214
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses (includes $15,259 and $15,092 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges) 278,878 282,682
Prepaid reinsurance premiums (includes $14,040 and $17,919 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges) 49,711 77,627
Deferred acquisition costs, net (includes $15,473 and $18,206 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges) 167,496 164,123
Deferred income taxes (includes $0 and $788 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges) - 2,245
Intangible assets (includes $5,171 and $5,504 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges) 119,370 123,820
Goodwill 250,103 250,103
Other assets (includes $6,361 and $5,808 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)     304,298     230,405
Total assets   $ 4,214,092   $ 4,137,730
Liabilities
Loss and loss adjustment expenses (includes $167,163 and $175,023 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges) $ 1,584,699 $ 1,610,421
Unearned premium (includes $102,942 and $123,949 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges) 859,798 872,026
Reinsurance balances payable (includes $2,634 and $3,402 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges) 19,787 35,037
Funds held under reinsurance agreements 101,548 93,153

Other liabilities (includes $13,824 and $9,384 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

153,014 84,989
Deferred income taxes (includes $3,979 and $0 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges) 15,871 -
Debt     375,560     374,266
Total liabilities 3,110,277 3,069,892
Stockholders' equity

Common stock ($0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 46,398,451 and 45,742,342 shares issued, and 41,231,039 and 41,485,678 shares outstanding)

464 457
Treasury stock (5,167,412 and 4,256,664 shares) (113,409) (91,779)
Paid-in-capital 768,441 763,064
Accumulated other comprehensive income 55,744 48,883
Retained earnings     361,327     324,376
Tower Group, Inc. stockholders' equity     1,072,567     1,045,001
Noncontrolling interests - Reciprocal Exchanges     31,248     22,837
Total stockholders' equity     1,103,815     1,067,838
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 4,214,092   $ 4,137,730

Tower Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
     
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)   2011     2010     2011     2010
Revenues
Net premiums earned $ 393,530 $ 272,967 $ 773,325 $ 541,013
Ceding commission revenue 10,655 8,453 18,836 18,641
Insurance services revenue (73) 250 529 806
Policy billing fees 2,659 1,010 4,837 1,781
Net investment income 31,798 23,931 64,176 47,106
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Other-than-temporary impairments (210) (2,836) (378) (8,982)
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income - 2,505 24 5,720
Other net realized investment gains (losses)   (2,104)     5,497     5,400     9,168
Total net realized investment gains (losses)   (2,314)     5,166     5,046     5,906
Total revenues 436,255 311,777 866,749 615,253
Expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expenses 240,846 159,868 481,022 329,205
Direct and ceding commission expense 76,210 58,619 152,813 116,664
Other operating expenses 69,749 49,741 136,088 100,749
Acquisition-related transaction costs - 393 12 1,250
Interest expense   8,257     5,214     16,357     10,095
Total expenses 395,062 273,835 786,292 557,963
Other income (expense)
Other expense   -     -     -     (466)
Income before income taxes 41,193 37,942 80,457 56,824
Income tax expense   12,877     12,300     25,635     18,130
Net income $ 28,316 $ 25,642 $ 54,822 $ 38,694
Less: Net income attributable to Reciprocal Exchanges   4,195     -     5,016     -
Net income attributable to Tower Group, Inc. $ 24,121   $ 25,642   $ 49,806   $ 38,694
Net income $ 28,316 $ 25,642 $ 54,822 $ 38,694
Gross unrealized investment holding gains arising during periods 25,731 19,463 24,406 43,274
Gross unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps (4,583) - (3,645) -
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income 2,314 (5,166) (5,046) (5,906)
Income tax (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income   (8,218)     (5,485)     (5,459)     (13,079)
Comprehensive income $ 43,560 $ 34,454 $ 65,078 $ 62,983
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to Reciprocal Exchanges   2,580     -     3,395     -
Comprehensive income attributable to Tower Group, Inc.   40,980     34,454     61,683     62,983
Earnings per share attributable to Tower stockholders:
Basic $ 0.58 $ 0.58 $ 1.20 $ 0.87
Diluted $ 0.58   $ 0.58   $ 1.20   $ 0.86
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic 41,303 44,330 41,404 44,706
Diluted   41,395     44,515     41,518     44,900
Dividends declared and paid per common share $ 0.19   $ 0.07   $ 0.32   $ 0.14

CONTACT:
Tower Group, Inc.
Bill Hitselberger, 212-655-2110
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
bhitselberger@twrgrp.com