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8-K - FORM 8-K - HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES INCv231448_8k.htm
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER 2011 RESULTS

FORT WORTH, Texas, (August 9, 2011) - Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALL) (“Hallmark”) today reported second quarter 2011 net loss of $23 thousand compared to net loss of $0.4 million reported for second quarter 2010. Year to date, Hallmark reported net loss of $11.2 million, compared to net income of $5.9 million reported for the same period the prior year.  On a fully diluted basis, second quarter 2011 net loss was $0.00 per share as compared to net loss of $0.02 per share for the second quarter of 2010.  Year to date, Hallmark reported net loss of $0.56 per diluted share, compared to net income of $0.29 per diluted share for the same period the prior year.  Total revenues were $78.5 million for the second quarter 2011 as compared to $75.7 million for the second quarter of 2010.  Year to date total revenues for 2011 were $155.9 million, up 3% from the $151.5 million reported for the same period the prior year.

Mark J. Morrison, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our results for the second quarter were negatively impacted by large property losses due mostly to exceptionally high spring storm activity, as well as increased losses from adverse claims trends in our Personal lines segment brought about by our untimely expansion into the Florida non-standard auto market.  The spring storms resulted in $6.4 million of net losses, or 8.9% of our net loss ratio for the quarter.  In addition, our Personal lines segment produced a $4.6 million pre-tax loss for the quarter driven by an increase of four percentage points in the current accident year loss projections from last quarter.”
 
 “We continue to take aggressive steps to address the unfavorable financial performance of our Personal lines segment, including the suspension of all new business production in Florida. We have also initiated rate reviews across all products and markets and have filed for rate increases in multiple states. As these and other actions taken in our Personal Lines business unit take effect, we expect this unit to return to an acceptable level of profitability. We are also disappointed with the second consecutive quarterly loss in our Standard Commercial segment driven in large part by the spring storm activity and large property losses. Even though we have not seen tangible signs of a hardening market, we have started to push rate increases on a measured basis, particularly for those markets and classes of business where higher rates are necessary to produce acceptable returns. We have also begun non-renewing certain classes of business that have contributed to the recent volatility in large losses.”
 
Mr. Morrison continued, “On a positive note, we are pleased with the organic premium growth in our Specialty Commercial segment in recent quarters. Submission activity in new business continues to be strong, particularly in commercial automobile coverages, our largest product line. With both rising prices and increased volume, we maintain a positive outlook for our Specialty Commercial segment. However, while rate trends are positive, we have noted that claim costs are also increasing. Therefore, we anticipate continuing our rate increases as the year progresses.”
 
Mark E. Schwarz, Executive Chairman of Hallmark, stated, “Second quarter book value per share increased 1% sequentially from the first quarter, but remains down 4% year to date.  Investment income increased 15% in the second quarter and 20% year to date compared to the prior year periods. Cash flow from operations was $17 million in the second quarter and $11 million year to date.”
 
 
 

 
 
“Our total investments, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are essentially flat year to date at $496 million.  However, on a per share basis, total investments, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash have increased to an all-time high of $25.50 per share, due predominately to the repurchase of shares during the quarter.  Hallmark continues to have a significant amount of cash and cash equivalents of $57 million as of the end of the quarter.”

“Hallmark repurchased 875,712 shares or 4.5% of its outstanding common stock for a total cost of $6.4 million during the second quarter to date, including shares purchased subsequent to quarter end.  Since inception of the company’s buyback program, total shares repurchased are 1,625,712 or 8% of outstanding common stock.  The total cost of shares repurchased to date is $11.7 million or $7.17 per share, equivalent to 64% of our second quarter book value per share of $11.23.  There are approximately 2.4 million shares remaining authorized under the company’s stock buyback program.”
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
% Change
 
   
($ in thousands, unaudited)
 
Produced premium (1)
  $ 90,176     $ 81,768       10 %
Gross premiums written
    91,371       83,180       10 %
Net premiums written
    78,956       73,133       8 %
Net premiums earned
    71,578       69,948       2 %
Investment income, net of expenses
    3,778       3,276       15 %
Net realized gain on investments
    1,664       1,643       1 %
Total revenues
    78,513       75,687       4 %
Net (loss) earnings (2)
    (23 )     (388 )  
NM
 
Net (loss) earnings per share - basic
  $ -     $ (0.02 )  
NM
 
Net (loss) earnings per share - diluted
  $ -     $ (0.02 )  
NM
 
Book value per share
  $ 11.23     $ 11.49       -2 %
Cash flow from operations
  $ 16,972     $ 9,242       84 %

   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
% Change
 
   
($ in thousands, unaudited)
 
Produced premium (1)
  $ 173,868     $ 162,278       7 %
Gross premiums written
    181,083       165,039       10 %
Net premiums written
    155,190       145,928       6 %
Net premiums earned
    141,691       136,963       3 %
Investment income, net of expenses
    7,785       6,477       20 %
Net realized gain on investments
    2,783       5,446       -49 %
Total revenues
    155,921       151,510       3 %
Net earnings (2)
    (11,249 )     5,898    
NM
 
Net earnings per share - basic
  $ (0.56 )   $ 0.29    
NM
 
Net earnings per share - diluted
  $ (0.56 )   $ 0.29    
NM
 
Book value per share
  $ 11.23     $ 11.49       -2 %
Cash flow from operations
  $ 10,992     $ 17,449       -37 %

(1) Produced premium is a non-GAAP measurement that management uses to track total premium produced by Hallmark’s operations. Hallmark believes it is a useful tool for users of its financial statements to measure premium production whether retained by Hallmark’s insurance company subsidiaries or assumed by third party insurance carriers who pay it commission revenue. Produced premium excludes unaffiliated third party premium fronted by its Hallmark County Mutual Insurance Company and Hallmark National Insurance Company subsidiaries.
 
 
 

 

(2) Net (loss) earnings is net (loss) income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. as reported in the consolidated statements of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, Hallmark’s total revenues were $78.5 million and $155.9 million, representing a 4% and 3%  increase, respectively, from the $75.7 million and $151.5 million in total revenues for the same period of 2010.  This increase in revenue was primarily attributable to increased earned premium due to increased production by the Personal Lines and E&S Commercial business units, increased net investment income and reduced adverse profit sharing commission revenue adjustments.  These increases in revenue were partially offset by lower earned premium in the Standard Commercial Segment due to increased competition and continued soft market conditions.

Hallmark reported a net loss of $23 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2011 as compared to a net loss of $0.4 million for the same period during 2010. Hallmark reported a net loss of $11.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, which was $17.1 million lower than the net earnings of $5.9 million reported for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  On a diluted basis per share, Hallmark reported a net loss of $0.00 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2011, as compared to net loss of $0.02 per share for the same period in 2010.   On a diluted basis per share, net loss per share was $0.56 for the six months ended June 30, 2011 as compared to net income per share of $0.29 for the same period during 2010.  The increase in revenue for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011 was offset by increased loss and loss adjustment expenses due primarily to higher current accident year loss estimates, as well as unfavorable prior year loss development of $0.7 million and $15.8 million recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, as compared to $4.3 million and $6.5 million recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010.  Of the $15.8 million unfavorable development recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2011, $9.5 million was a result of adverse prior year loss reserve development in its Personal Lines Segment in Florida. In addition, the results for the six months ended June 30, 2011 include $9.4 million in net losses from weather related claims.  The adverse prior year development and the losses from weather related claims contributed 17.7% to the 88.7% consolidated net loss ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2011.  As a result of the pre-tax loss and an increase in the proportion of tax-exempt income relative to total pre-tax loss, the Company reported an income tax benefit of $9.6 million, or an effective income tax rate of 46.2%, for the six months ended June 30, 2011, as compared to income tax expense of $1.9 million, or an effective rate of 24.6%, for the same period during 2010.

Hallmark's consolidated net loss ratio was 86.5% and 88.7% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 as compared to 74.4% and 69.5% for the same periods in 2010.  Hallmark's net expense ratio was 31.8% and 31.2% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 as compared to 30.1% and 29.5% for the same periods in 2010.  Hallmark’s net combined ratio was 118.3% and 119.9% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 as compared to 104.5% and 99.0% for the same periods in 2010.

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. is an insurance holding company which, through its subsidiaries, engages in the sale of property/casualty insurance products to businesses and individuals. Hallmark’s business involves marketing, distributing, underwriting and servicing commercial insurance, personal insurance and general aviation insurance, as well as providing other insurance related services.  The Company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and its common stock is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol "HALL."

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that actual results may differ substantially from such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, continued acceptance of the Company’s products and services in the marketplace, competitive factors, interest rate trends, general economic conditions, the availability of financing, underwriting loss experience and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 
 

 
 
For further information, please contact:
Mark J. Morrison, President and Chief Executive Officer at 817.348.1600
www.hallmarkgrp.com
 
 
 

 
 
Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
($ in thousands, except share amounts)
   
June 30
   
December 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Investments:
           
Debt securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $393,497 in 2011 and $383,530 in 2010)
  $ 395,975     $ 388,399  
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $31,573 in 2011 and $32,469 in 2010)
    42,943       44,042  
                 
Total investments
    438,918       432,441  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
    50,885       60,519  
Restricted cash
    6,346       5,277  
Ceded unearned premiums
    20,262       25,504  
Premiums receivable
    57,444       47,337  
Accounts receivable
    6,020       7,051  
Receivable for securities
    473       2,215  
Reinsurance recoverable
    42,726       39,505  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    24,047       21,679  
Goodwill
    43,564       43,564  
Intangible assets, net
    28,448       30,241  
Federal income tax recoverable
    13,138       4,093  
Prepaid expenses
    1,699       1,987  
Other assets
    13,159       15,207  
                 
Total assets
  $ 747,129     $ 736,620  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Liabilities:
               
Note payable
  $ 2,800     $ 2,800  
Subordinated debt securities
    56,702       56,702  
Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    278,894       251,677  
Unearned premiums
    148,205       140,965  
Unearned revenue
    93       116  
Reinsurance balances payable
    5,493       3,122  
Accrued agent profit sharing
    1,277       1,301  
Accrued ceding commission payable
    4,230       4,231  
Pension liability
    2,623       2,833  
Payable for securities
    8,357       2,493  
Payable for acquisition
    -       14,000  
Deferred federal income taxes, net
    1,836       3,471  
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses
    17,005       15,786  
                 
Total liabilities
    527,515       499,497  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies
               
                 
Redeemable non-controlling interest
    1,223       1,360  
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Common stock, $.18 par value, authorized 33,333,333 shares in 2011 and 2010; issued 20,872,831 in 2011 and 2010
    3,757       3,757  
Additional paid-in capital
    122,292       121,815  
Retained earnings
    94,567       105,816  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    7,843       9,637  
Treasury stock (1,418,003 shares in 2011 and 748,662 shares in 2010), at cost
    (10,068 )     (5,262 )
                 
Total stockholders' equity
    218,391       235,763  
                 
    $ 747,129     $ 736,620  

 
 

 

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30
   
June 30
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Gross premiums written
  $ 91,371     $ 83,180     $ 181,083     $ 165,039  
Ceded premiums written
    (12,415 )     (10,047 )     (25,893 )     (19,111 )
Net premiums written
    78,956       73,133       155,190       145,928  
Change in unearned premiums
    (7,378 )     (3,185 )     (13,499 )     (8,965 )
Net premiums earned
    71,578       69,948       141,691       136,963  
                                 
Investment income, net of expenses
    3,778       3,276       7,785       6,477  
Net realized gains
    1,664       1,643       2,783       5,446  
Finance charges
    1,725       1,771       3,465       3,414  
Commission and fees
    (243 )     (963 )     172       (812 )
Other income
    11       12       25       22  
                                 
Total revenues
    78,513       75,687       155,921       151,510  
                                 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    61,920       52,058       125,705       95,156  
Other operating expenses
    23,788       22,872       46,961       44,354  
Interest expense
    1,153       1,150       2,311       2,296  
Amortization of intangible assets
    896       916       1,793       1,832  
                                 
Total expenses
    87,757       76,996       176,770       143,638  
                                 
Income (loss) before tax
    (9,244 )     (1,309 )     (20,849 )     7,872  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (9,229 )     (953 )     (9,622 )     1,937  
Net (loss) income
    (15 )     (356 )     (11,227 )     5,935  
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling  interest
    8       32       22       37  
                                 
Net (loss) income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.
  $ (23 )   $ (388 )   $ (11,249 )   $ 5,898  
                                 
Net (loss) income per share attributable to Hallmark Financial
                               
Services, Inc. common stockholders:
                               
Basic
  $ -     $ (0.02 )   $ (0.56 )   $ 0.29  
Diluted
  $ -     $ (0.02 )   $ (0.56 )   $ 0.29  

 
 

 

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc
Consolidated Segment Data

   
Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
   
Standard
   
Specialty
                   
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Personal
             
   
Segment
   
Segment
   
Segment
   
Corporate
   
Consolidated
 
                               
Produced premium (1)
  $ 18,549     $ 47,343     $ 24,284     $ -     $ 90,176  
                                         
Gross premiums written
    18,549       48,533       24,289       -       91,371  
Ceded premiums written
    (1,392 )     (10,877 )     (146 )     -       (12,415 )
Net premiums written
    17,157       37,656       24,143       -       78,956  
Change in unearned premiums
    (1,796 )     (5,171 )     (411 )     -       (7,378 )
Net premiums earned
    15,361       32,485       23,732       -       71,578  
                                         
Total revenues
    16,241       34,476       25,869       1,927       78,513  
                                         
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    15,789       23,549       22,582       -       61,920  
                                         
Pre-tax  income (loss), net of  non-controlling interest
    (4,753 )     873       (4,596 )     (776 )     (9,252 )
                                         
Net loss ratio (2)
    102.8 %     72.5 %     95.2 %             86.5 %
Net expense ratio (2)
    33.9 %     30.4 %     27.6 %             31.8 %
Net combined ratio (2)
    136.7 %     102.9 %     122.8 %             118.3 %

   
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
   
Standard
   
Specialty
                   
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Personal
             
   
Segment
   
Segment
   
Segment
   
Corporate
   
Consolidated
 
                               
Produced premium (1)
  $ 18,804     $ 40,351     $ 22,613     $ -     $ 81,768  
                                         
Gross premiums written
    18,792       41,775       22,613       -       83,180  
Ceded premiums written
    (909 )     (9,123 )     (15 )     -       (10,047 )
Net premiums written
    17,883       32,652       22,598       -       73,133  
Change in unearned premiums
    (1,246 )     (2,036 )     97       -       (3,185 )
Net premiums earned
    16,637       30,616       22,695       -       69,948  
                                         
Total revenues
    17,265       32,124       24,754       1,544       75,687  
                                         
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    13,652       21,231       17,175       -       52,058  
                                         
Pre-tax  income (loss), net of  non-controlling interest
    (1,870 )     967       1,132       (1,570 )     (1,341 )
                                         
Net loss ratio (2)
    82.1 %     69.3 %     75.7 %             74.4 %
Net expense ratio (2)
    32.5 %     29.5 %     22.5 %             30.1 %
Net combined ratio (2)
    114.6 %     98.8 %     98.2 %             104.5 %
 
1
Produced premium is a non-GAAP measurement that management uses to track total controlled premium produced by Hallmark’s operations.  Hallmark believes this is a useful tool for users of its financial statements to measure premium production whether retained by Hallmark’s insurance company subsidiaries or assumed by third party insurance carriers who pay it commission revenue.  Produced premium excludes unaffiliated third party premium fronted by its Hallmark County Mutual Insurance Company and Hallmark National Insurance Company subsidiaries.

2
The net loss ratio is calculated as incurred losses and LAE divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP.    The net expense ratio is calculated for the business units that retain 100% of produced premium as total operating expenses for the unit offset by agency fee income divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP.  For the business units that do not retain 100% of the produced premium, the net expense ratio is calculated as underwriting expenses of the insurance company subsidiaries for the unit offset by agency fee income, divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP.  The net combined ratio is calculated as the sum of the net loss ratio and the net expense ratio.
 
 
 

 
 
Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Segment Data

   
Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
   
Standard
   
Specialty
                   
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Personal
             
   
Segment
   
Segment
   
Segment
   
Corporate
   
Consolidated
 
                               
Produced premium (1)
  $ 36,004     $ 85,877     $ 51,987     $ -     $ 173,868  
                                         
Gross premiums written
    36,004       88,615       56,464       -       181,083  
Ceded premiums written
    (2,564 )     (18,597 )     (4,732 )     -       (25,893 )
Net premiums written
    33,440       70,018       51,732       -       155,190  
Change in unearned premiums
    (2,187 )     (6,318 )     (4,994 )     -       (13,499 )
Net premiums earned
    31,253       63,700       46,738       -       141,691  
                                         
Total revenues
    33,668       67,619       50,919       3,715       155,921  
                                         
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    28,414       43,350       53,941       -       125,705  
                                         
Pre-tax  income (loss), net of  non-controlling interest
    (5,133 )     4,331       (17,810 )     (2,259 )     (20,871 )
                                         
Net loss ratio (2)
    90.9 %     68.1 %     115.4 %             88.7 %
Net expense ratio (2)
    32.6 %     30.2 %     25.8 %             31.2 %
Net combined ratio (2)
    123.5 %     98.3 %     141.2 %             119.9 %

   
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
   
Standard
   
Specialty
                   
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Personal
             
   
Segment
   
Segment
   
Segment
   
Corporate
   
Consolidated
 
                               
Produced premium (1)
  $ 36,901     $ 75,633     $ 49,744     $ -     $ 162,278  
                                         
Gross premiums written
    36,889       78,406       49,744       -       165,039  
Ceded premiums written
    (1,945 )     (17,147 )     (19 )     -       (19,111 )
Net premiums written
    34,944       61,259       49,725       -       145,928  
Change in unearned premiums
    (1,426 )     80       (7,619 )     -       (8,965 )
Net premiums earned
    33,518       61,339       42,106       -       136,963  
                                         
Total revenues
    35,299       64,611       45,968       5,632       151,510  
                                         
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    27,268       37,627       30,261       -       95,156  
                                         
Pre-tax  income (loss), net of  non-controlling interest
    (2,809 )     7,314       3,782       (452 )     7,835  
                                         
Net loss ratio (2)
    81.4 %     61.3 %     71.9 %             69.5 %
Net expense ratio (2)
    31.7 %     28.8 %     22.1 %             29.5 %
Net combined ratio (2)
    113.1 %     90.1 %     94.0 %             99.0 %
 
1
Produced premium is a non-GAAP measurement that management uses to track total controlled premium produced by Hallmark’s operations.  Hallmark believes this is a useful tool for users of its financial statements to measure premium production whether retained by Hallmark’s insurance company subsidiaries or assumed by third party insurance carriers who pay it commission revenue.  Produced premium excludes unaffiliated third party premium fronted by its Hallmark County Mutual Insurance Company and Hallmark National Insurance Company subsidiaries.

2
The net loss ratio is calculated as incurred losses and LAE divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP.    The net expense ratio is calculated for the business units that retain 100% of produced premium as total operating expenses for the unit offset by agency fee income divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP.  For the business units that do not retain 100% of the produced premium, the net expense ratio is calculated as underwriting expenses of the insurance company subsidiaries for the unit offset by agency fee income, divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP.  The net combined ratio is calculated as the sum of the net loss ratio and the net expense ratio.