Attached files

file filename
8-K - FORM 8-K - AMERICAN SAFETY INSURANCE HOLDINGS LTDc24096e8vk.htm
Exhibit 99.1
(ASI LOGO)
American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd.
Reports Third Quarter Financial Results
HAMILTON, Bermuda, November 2, 2011 — American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE:ASI) today reported net earnings of $5.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, or $.54 per diluted share, as compared to $7.2 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, for the same period of 2010.
Financial highlights for the quarter included1:
   
Gross written premiums increased 1.8% to $73.2 million
   
Net earned premiums increased 10.8% to $59.0 million
   
The combined ratio was 101.3% compared to 98.3%
   
Operating cash flow was $17.2 million compared to $17.0 million
   
Book value was $31.31 per diluted share versus $29.00 at December 31, 2010
   
Annualized return on average equity (exclusive of realized and unrealized gains from investments) was 8.0%
     
1  
All comparisons are with the same period last year unless stated otherwise.
Third Quarter Results
Total revenues in the quarter increased to $68.1 million from $63.3 million in 2010 due to increased earned premiums across all divisions, driven primarily by growth in newer products within the E&S division.
The combined ratio of 101.3% consists of a loss ratio of 60.8% and an expense ratio of 40.5%, compared to 59.0% and 39.3%, respectively, for the same quarter of 2010. The increase in the loss ratio was due primarily to current market conditions, but was not impacted by Hurricane Irene losses. The increase in the expense ratio was due primarily to the impact of technology investments placed in service during the quarter and lower fee income.
For the three months ended September 30, 2011, net operating earnings of $5.8 million compares to $6.7 million for the same quarter 2010. We have presented net operating earnings, which is a non-GAAP financial measure because we believe that investors’ understanding of operating performance is enhanced by this disclosure. Net operating earnings (loss) represent after tax operational results without consideration of after-tax net investment gains (losses).
Year to Date Results
Net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were $17.8 million, or $1.65 per diluted share, compared to $19.9 million, or $1.87 per diluted share for the same period in 2010. Net earned premiums year to date increased 20.3% to $172.5 million. Pre-tax net realized gains on investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were $11.3 million compared to $2.1 million during the same period in 2010.
The combined ratio was 107.7%, composed of a loss ratio of 68.4% and an expense ratio of 39.3%. The increase in the loss ratio to 68.4% from 60.0% for the 2010 period is primarily due to $10.1 million of catastrophe and weather related losses that occurred in the first six months of 2011. The expense ratio was 39.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to 39.8% in the same period in 2010.

 

 


 

Invested assets increased 8% to $881.1 million at September 30, 2011 from $818.5 million at December 31, 2010. The pre-tax book yield realized during the nine months on the investment portfolio was 3.7% compared to 4.1% for the same period in 2010.
Book value at September 30, 2011 increased to $31.31 per diluted share compared to $29.00 at December 31, 2010. Since December 31, 2010, the Company has repurchased 132,661 shares at an average price of $18.87 per share. There are 211,639 shares remaining under the current repurchase authorization.
Commenting on the results, Stephen R. Crim, President and Chief Executive Officer said, “We produced solid operating results in the third quarter with minimal impact from weather related events. We also achieved modest growth in gross written premiums resulting from our product diversification strategy. Overall, I am pleased with our 2011 results, with book value per diluted share increasing by 8% year to date in the face of a competitive insurance market and difficult economy.”
Conference Call
A conference call to discuss third quarter 2011 results is scheduled for Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time), which will be broadcast through Vcall’s Investor Calendar at www.investorcalendar.com, or the Company’s website at www.amsafety.com. If you are unable to participate at this time, a replay will be available for 30 days, beginning approximately two hours after the call. A transcript of the call will be available on the Company’s website beginning several days after the call.
This report contains forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance, including catastrophe and other losses. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially, including developments in loss trends and adequacy and changes in loss reserves and actuarial assumptions.
About Us:
For 25 years, American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE:ASI), a Bermuda holding company, has offered innovative solutions outside the U.S. in the reinsurance and alternative risk markets through its subsidiaries, American Safety Reinsurance, Ltd. and American Safety Assurance, Ltd., and in the U.S. for specialty risks and alternative risk markets through its program administrator, American Safety Insurance Services, Inc., and insurance company subsidiaries and affiliates, American Safety Casualty Insurance Company, American Safety Indemnity Company, American Safety Risk Retention Group, Inc. and American Safety Assurance (Vermont), Inc.. As a group, ASI’s insurance subsidiaries and affiliates are rated “A” (Excellent) IX by A.M. Best. For additional information, please visit www.asih.bm.
     
Contacts:
   
American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd.
  American Safety Administrative Services, Inc.
Investor Relations
  Media Relations
Stephen R. Crim
  Patrick Driscoll, CPA, CPCU
scrim@amsafety.bm
  patrick.driscoll@amsafety.com
(441) 296-8560
  (770) 916-1908

 

 


 

American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Financial and Operating Highlights
(Unaudited) (in thousands)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
                               
Revenues:
                               
Direct earned premiums
  $ 62,498     $ 55,941     $ 180,955     $ 172,659  
Assumed earned premiums
    12,287       10,861       37,422       29,151  
Ceded earned premiums
    (15,793 )     (13,582 )     (45,866 )     (58,382 )
 
                       
Net earned premiums
    58,992       53,220       172,511       143,428  
 
                               
Net investment income
    8,196       8,265       23,682       24,099  
Net realized gains
    10       560       11,311       2,080  
Fee income
    843       1,474       2,494       3,722  
Other income
    12       (260 )     35       (230 )
 
                       
Total revenues
    68,053       63,259       210,033       173,099  
 
                       
 
                               
Expenses:
                               
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    35,867       31,378       117,997       86,030  
Acquisition expenses
    13,800       12,393       39,008       31,218  
Other underwriting expenses
    10,941       9,996       31,309       29,672  
Interest expense
    375       586       1,116       2,030  
Corporate and other expenses
    173       965       1,811       2,431  
 
                       
Total expenses
    61,156       55,318       191,241       151,381  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings before income taxes
    6,897       7,941       18,792       21,718  
Income tax expense
    1,169       635       588       1,486  
 
                       
Net earnings
    5,728       7,306       18,204       20,232  
Less: Net earnings attributable to the non-controlling interest
    (69 )      104        454        360  
 
                       
 
                               
Net earnings attributable to ASIH, Ltd.
  $ 5,797     $ 7,202     $ 17,750     $ 19,872  
 
                       
 
                               
Net earnings per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.56     $ 0.70     $ 1.70     $ 1.93  
 
                       
Diluted
  $ 0.54     $ 0.68     $ 1.65     $ 1.87  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    10,377,890       10,271,184       10,416,979       10,282,976  
 
                       
Diluted
    10,701,959       10,612,281       10,751,312       10,615,548  
 
                       
 
                               
Loss ratio
    60.8 %     59.0 %     68.4 %     60.0 %
Expense ratio
    40.5 %     39.3 %     39.3 %     39.8 %
 
                       
Combined ratio
    101.3 %     98.3 %     107.7 %     99.8 %
 
                       
 
                               
Net operating earnings:
                               
Net earnings attributable to ASIH, Ltd.
  $ 5,797     $ 7,202     $ 17,750     $ 19,872  
Less: Realized investment gains, net of taxes
    (7 )     487       11,199       1,660  
 
                       
Net operating earnings
  $ 5,804     $ 6,715     $ 6,551     $ 18,212  
 
                       
                 
    At  
    9/30/2011     12/31/2010  
    (unaudited)        
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
               
Total investments
  $ 881,088     $ 818,450  
Total assets
    1,277,399       1,221,253  
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    666,392       649,641  
Total liabilities
    937,450       902,719  
Total shareholders’ equity
    339,949       318,534  
 
               
Book value per share-diluted
  $ 31.31     $ 29.00  

 

 


 

American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Segment Data
(Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
                                         
    Three Months Ended September 30, 2011  
    Insurance     Other        
    E&S     ART     Reinsurance     Run-off     Total  
Gross written premiums
  $ 39,782     $ 18,952     $ 14,512     $     $ 73,246  
Net written premiums
    31,621       14,040       14,559             60,220  
Net earned premiums
    30,752       15,552       12,688             58,992  
Fee & other income
    (8 )     806             57       855  
 
                                       
Losses & loss adjustment expenses
    19,019       8,466       8,382             35,867  
Acquisition & other underwriting expenses
    13,326       6,610       4,517       288       24,741  
 
                             
Underwriting profit (loss)
    (1,601 )     1,282       (211 )     (231 )     (761 )
 
                               
Net investment income
    5,280       1,186       1,593       137       8,196  
 
                             
Pre-tax operating income (loss)
    3,679       2,468       1,382       (94 )     7,435  
 
                                       
Net realized gains
                                    10  
Interest and corporate expenses
                                    548  
 
                                     
Earnings before income taxes
                                    6,897  
Income tax expense
                                    1,169  
 
                                     
Net earnings
                                  $ 5,728  
Less: Net earnings attributable to the non-controlling interest
                                    (69 )
 
                                     
Net earnings attributable to ASIH, Ltd.
                                  $ 5,797  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Loss ratio
    61.8 %     54.4 %     66.1 %   NM       60.8 %
Expense ratio
    43.4 %     37.3 %     35.6 %   NM       40.5 %
 
                             
Combined ratio
    105.2 %     91.8 %     101.6 %   NM       101.3 %
 
                             
                                         
    Three Months Ended September 30, 2010  
    Insurance     Other        
    E&S     ART     Reinsurance     Run-off     Total  
Gross written premiums
  $ 34,121     $ 24,847     $ 12,971     $ (6 )   $ 71,933  
Net written premiums
    27,423       17,063       12,258       (6 )     56,738  
Net earned premiums
    26,347       15,114       11,765       (6 )     53,220  
Fee & other income
    43       1,150       57       (36 )     1,214  
 
                                       
Losses & loss adjustment expenses
    15,094       8,033       8,258       (7 )     31,378  
Acquisition & other underwriting expenses
    12,414       6,345       3,326       304       22,389  
 
                             
Underwriting profit (loss)
    (1,118 )     1,886       239       (340 )     667  
 
                                       
Net investment income
    5,286       1,366       1,486       127       8,265  
 
                             
Pre-tax operating income (loss)
    4,168       3,252       1,725       (213 )     8,932  
 
                                       
Net realized gains
                                    560  
Interest and corporate expenses
                                    1,551  
 
                                     
Earnings before income taxes
                                    7,941  
Income tax expense
                                    635  
 
                                     
Net earnings
                                  $ 7,306  
Less: Net earnings attributable to the non-controlling interest
                                    104  
 
                                     
Net earnings attributable to ASIH, Ltd.
                                  $ 7,202  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Loss ratio
    57.3 %     53.1 %     70.2 %   NM       59.0 %
Expense ratio
    46.1 %     34.4 %     27.8 %   NM       39.3 %
 
                             
Combined ratio
    103.4 %     87.5 %     98.0 %   NM       98.3 %
 
                             

 

 


 

American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Segment Data
(Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
                                         
    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011  
    Insurance     Other        
    E&S     ART     Reinsurance     Run-off     Total  
Gross written premiums
  $ 119,706     $ 64,753     $ 46,012     $ (1 )   $ 230,470  
Net written premiums
    95,636       46,086       44,925       (1 )     186,646  
Net earned premiums
    87,831       45,523       39,158       (1 )     172,511  
Fee & other income
    (8 )     2,436             101       2,529  
 
                                       
Losses & loss adjustment expenses
    54,657       30,310       33,030             117,997  
Acquisition & other underwriting expenses
    39,652       19,071       11,726       (132 )     70,317  
 
                             
Underwriting profit (loss)
    (6,486 )     (1,422 )     (5,598 )     232       (13,274 )
 
                                       
Net investment income
    15,176       3,538       4,528       440       23,682  
 
                             
Pre-tax operating income (loss)
    8,690       2,116       (1,070 )     672       10,408  
 
                                       
Net realized gains
                                    11,311  
Interest and corporate expenses
                                    2,927  
 
                                     
Earnings before income taxes
                                    18,792  
Income tax expense
                                    588  
 
                                     
Net earnings
                                  $ 18,204  
Less: Net earnings attributable to the non-controlling interest
                                    454  
 
                                     
Net earnings attributable to ASIH, Ltd.
                                  $ 17,750  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Loss ratio
    62.2 %     66.6 %     84.4 %   NM       68.4 %
Expense ratio
    45.2 %     36.5 %     29.9 %   NM       39.3 %
 
                             
Combined ratio
    107.4 %     103.1 %     114.3 %   NM       107.7 %
 
                             
                                         
    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  
    Insurance     Other        
    E&S     ART     Reinsurance     Run-off     Total  
Gross written premiums
  $ 100,227     $ 66,966     $ 36,641     $ (6 )   $ 203,828  
Net written premiums
    81,251       48,501       33,539       (6 )     163,285  
Net earned premiums
    72,741       39,178       31,515       (6 )     143,428  
Fee & other income
    392       2,854       228       18       3,492  
 
                                       
Losses & loss adjustment expenses
    41,977       22,927       21,132       (6 )     86,030  
Acquisition & other underwriting expenses
    35,842       14,769       9,297       982       60,890  
 
                             
Underwriting profit (loss)
    (4,686 )     4,336       1,314       (964 )      
 
                                       
Net investment income
    16,120       3,634       3,753       592       24,099  
 
                             
Pre-tax operating income (loss)
    11,434       7,970       5,067       (372 )     24,099  
 
                                       
Net realized gains
                                    2,080  
Interest and corporate expenses
                                    4,461  
 
                                     
Earnings before income taxes
                                    21,718  
Income tax expense
                                    1,486  
 
                                     
Net earnings
                                  $ 20,232  
Less: Net earnings attributable to the non-controlling interest
                                    360  
 
                                     
Net earnings attributable to ASIH, Ltd.
                                  $ 19,872  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Loss ratio
    57.7 %     58.5 %     67.1 %   NM       60.0 %
Expense ratio
    48.4 %     30.4 %     28.8 %   NM       39.8 %
 
                             
Combined ratio
    106.1 %     88.9 %     95.8 %   NM       99.8 %