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8-K - 8-K - Amtrust Financial Services, Inc.v302650_8k.htm

 

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter Operating Earnings(1) of $40.7 Million and Net Income of $37.9 Million

Book Value Per Share of $14.82, Up 23.2% Since Year-end 2010

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Financial Highlights

·Operating diluted EPS (1) of $0.66 compared to $0.57 in the fourth quarter 2010
·Annualized operating return on equity(1) of 18.8% and annualized return on equity of 17.6%
·Gross written premium of $586.8 million, up 23.6%, and net earned premium of $299.4 million, up 42.3% from fourth quarter 2010
·Commission and other revenues of $87.1 million, up 20.6% from fourth quarter 2010
·Operating earnings (1) of $40.7 million, up 17.9% from fourth quarter 2010
·Net income of $37.9 million compared to $33.6 million from fourth quarter 2010
·Diluted EPS of $0.61 compared to $0.56 in the fourth quarter 2010
·Combined ratio of 89.0% compared to 87.6% in the fourth quarter 2010
·Full year operating return on equity(1) of 22.3% and return on equity of 21.2%
·Full year gross written premium of $2.15 billion, up 37.8%, and net earned premium of $1.04 billion, up 39.1% over 2010
·Full year operating earnings(1) of $179.5 million, up 29.7% from 2010
·Full year operating diluted EPS(1) of $2.91 compared with $2.29 in 2010
·Full year net income of $170.4 million, up 19.6% from 2010
·Full year diluted EPS of $2.77 compared with $2.36 in 2010
·Full year combined ratio of 89.0% compared to 85.3% in 2010
·Book value per share of $14.82, up from $12.03 at year-end 2010
·Fourth quarter results include a $0.01 per diluted share net loss on life settlement contracts. Full year results include a $0.38 per diluted share net gain on life settlement contracts compared with $0.10 per diluted share in 2010

 

NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFSI) (“the Company”) today reported fourth quarter 2011 operating earnings (1) of $40.7 million, or $0.66 per diluted share up from $34.5 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2010. Net income totaled $37.9 million, or $0.61 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2011 up from $33.6 million, or $0.56 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2010.

For the full year 2011, operating earnings (1) totaled $179.5 million, or $2.91 per diluted share, up from $138.4 million or $2.29 per diluted share in 2010. Net income in 2011 totaled $170.4 million, or $2.77 per diluted share, up from $142.5 million or $2.36 per diluted share in 2010.

Fourth Quarter 2011 Results

Total revenue of $386.5 million increased $103.8 million, or 36.7%, from $282.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Gross written premium of $586.8 million rose $111.9 million, or 23.6%, from the fourth quarter in 2010. Net written premium of $345.0 million increased $86.4 million, or 33.4%, from $258.6 million in the fourth quarter in 2010. Net earned premium of $299.4 million increased $89.0 million, or 42.3%, from $210.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

 
 

 

Commission and other revenues of $87.1 million increased $14.9 million, or 20.6%, from the fourth quarter of 2010 and represented 22.5% of total revenue. The combined ratio totaled 89.0% compared with 87.6% in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Ceding commissions, primarily related to the quota-share agreements with Maiden Holdings, Ltd. ("Maiden"), totaled $42.1 million, up 19.8% from $35.2 million a year ago. During the quarter, AmTrust ceded $189.3 million of gross written premium and $148.8 million of earned premium to Maiden compared to $127.0 million of gross written premium and $112.0 million of earned premium ceded in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Total service and fee income of $30.1 million increased 33.5% from $22.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and included $4.6 million from related parties compared with $3.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Investment income, excluding net realized gains and losses, totaled $13.7 million, an increase of 21.5% from $11.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. In addition, fourth quarter 2011 results include net realized investment gains of $1.2 million, or $771,000 after-tax, on certain fixed income and equity investments compared with $3.3 million, or $2.1 million after-tax, in the fourth quarter of 2010. 

Loss and loss adjustment expense totaled $194.3 million, an increase of $54.6 million from $139.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and resulted in a loss ratio of 64.9% compared with 66.4% for the fourth quarter of 2010.

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expense of $114.3 million increased $34.6 million from the fourth quarter of 2010. Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses less ceding commissions totaled $72.2 million compared with $44.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. The expense ratio was 24.1%, up from 21.2% in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Other expense of $23.8 million increased $3.2 million from $20.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Full Year 2011 Results

Total revenue of $1.36 billion increased $355.3 million, or 35.4%, from $1.0 billion in 2010. Gross written premium of $2.15 billion rose $589.7 million, or 37.8%, compared to $1.56 billion a year ago. Net written premium of $1.28 billion increased $449.4 million, or 54.3%, from $827.2 million in 2010. Net earned premium of $1.04 billion increased $291.2 million, or 39.1%, from $745.7 million in 2010.

Commission and other revenues of $320.9 million increased $64.1 million, or 25.0%, compared to 2010 and represented 23.6% of total revenue. The combined ratio totaled 89.0% compared with 85.3% in 2010.

 
 

 

Ceding commissions, primarily related to the quota-share agreements with Maiden, totaled $154.0 million, up 11.3% from $138.3 million a year ago. During 2011, AmTrust ceded $703.2 million of gross written premium and $559.6 million of earned premium to Maiden compared to $463.0 million of gross written premium and $441.3 million of earned premium ceded in 2010.

Total service and fee income of $108.7 million increased 75.1% from $62.1 million in 2010 and included $16.7 million from related parties compared with $12.3 million in 2010.

Investment income, excluding net realized gains and losses, totaled $55.5 million, an increase of 9.9% from $50.5 million in 2010. In addition, results in 2011 include net realized investment gains of $2.8 million, or $1.8 million after-tax, on certain fixed income and equity investments compared with gains of $6.0 million, or $3.9 million after-tax, in 2010. 

Loss and loss adjustment expense totaled $678.3 million, an increase of $206.8 million from $471.5 million in 2010 and resulted in a loss ratio of 65.4% compared with 63.2% for 2010.

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expense of $398.4 million increased $95.6 million as compared to 2010. Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses less ceding commissions totaled $244.5 million compared with $164.5 million in 2010. The expense ratio was 23.6%, up from 22.1% in 2010.

Other expense of $86.6 million increased $30.2 million from $56.4 million in 2010.

Total assets of $5.7 billion increased 35.9% from $4.2 billion at December 31, 2010. Total assets in 2011 included a $523.4 million or a 33.6% increase in cash, cash equivalents and investments to $2.1 billion. Shareholders' equity of $890.6 million increased 24.3% from $716.5 million at year-end 2010.

On December 21, 2011, the Company completed the sale of $175 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.50% convertible senior notes (the “notes”) due 2021. The notes will be convertible into common shares at an initial conversion price of approximately $31.83 per share of common stock. On January 19, 2012, AmTrust sold an additional $25 million overallotment of the notes.

During 2011, the Board of Directors declared dividends totaling $0.34 per share. As of December 31, 2011, the Company's long-term debt-to-capitalization ratio was 23.9% compared with 16.8% at year-end 2010.

(1) References to operating earnings, operating diluted EPS, and operating return on equity are non-GAAP financial measures defined by the Company as net income, diluted earnings per share and return on equity excluding after-tax net realized investment gains and losses on securities, non-cash amortization of certain intangible assets, foreign currency transaction gain and loss, gain on Majestic transaction and gain or loss on investments in unconsolidated subsidiary. Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures table at the end of this release for important information about the use of these non-GAAP measures and their reconciliation to GAAP.

 
 

 

Conference Call:

On February 15, 2012 at 9 a.m. ET, CEO Barry Zyskind and CFO Ron Pipoly will review these results via a conference call and webcast that may be accessed as follows:

Toll-Free Dial-in:   877.755.7421

Toll Dial-in (Outside the U.S):   973.200.3087

Webcast registration: http://ir.amtrustgroup.com/events.cfm

A replay of the conference call will be available at approximately 12:00 p.m. ET Wednesday, February 15, 2012 through February 22, 2012. To listen to the replay, please dial 800.585.8367 (within the U.S.) or 404.537.3406 (outside the U.S.) and enter replay passcode 47923755, or access http://ir.amtrustgroup.com/events.cfm.

About AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., headquartered in New York City, is a multinational insurance holding company, which, through its insurance carriers, offers specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, commercial automobile and general liability; extended service and warranty coverage. For more information about AmTrust, visit www.amtrustgroup.com, or call AmTrust toll-free at 866.203.3037.

The AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3280

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that actual developments will be those anticipated by the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements as a result of significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, non-receipt of expected payments from insureds or reinsurers, changes in interest rates, a downgrade in the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries, the effect of the performance of financial markets on our investment portfolio, our estimates of the fair value of our life settlement contracts, development of claims and the effect on loss reserves, accuracy in projecting loss reserves, the cost and availability of reinsurance coverage, the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues, changes in the demand for our products, successful integration of acquired businesses, the effect of general economic conditions, adverse state and federal legislation, regulations and regulatory investigations into industry practices, risks associated with conducting business outside the United States, developments relating to existing agreements, disruptions to our business relationships with Maiden Holdings, Ltd., American Capital Acquisition Corporation, or third party agencies and warranty administrators, difficulties with technology, heightened competition, changes in pricing environments, and changes in asset valuations. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements except as may be required by law. Additional information about these risks and uncertainties, as well as others that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

 
 

 

AFSI-F

CONTACT: AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
          
         Investor Relations
         Elizabeth Malone CFA
         beth.malone@amtrustgroup.com
         646.458.7924
   
         Hilly Gross
         New York, New York
         hilly.gross@amtrustgroup.com
         646.458.7925

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

Income Statement

(in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended December 31,   Three Months Ended December 31, 
   2011   2010   2011   2010 
                 
Gross written premium  $586,761   $474,865   $2,150,472   $1,560,822 
                     
Premium income                    
Net written premium  $344,994   $258,581   $1,276,597   $827,226 
Change in unearned premium   (45,601)   (48,168)   (239,736)   (81,567)
Net earned premium   299,393    210,413    1,036,861    745,659 
                     
Ceding commission (primarily related party)   42,123    35,152    153,953    138,261 
Service and fee income   30,114    22,562    108,660    62,067 
Investment income, net   13,700    11,280    55,515    50,517 
Net realized gains (loss)   1,187    3,252    2,768    5,953 
Commission and other revenues   87,124    72,246    320,896    256,798 
                     
Total revenue   386,517    282,659    1,357,757    1,002,457 
                     
Loss and loss adjustment expense   194,277    139,718    678,333    471,481 
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expense   114,320    79,732    398,404    302,809 
Other expense   23,806    20,623    86,611    56,403 
    332,403    240,073    1,163,348    830,693 
                     
Income before other, provision for income taxes, equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries and non-controlling interest   54,114    42,586    194,409    171,764 
                     
Other income (expense):                    
Foreign currency gain (loss)   (591)   787    (2,418)   684 
Interest expense   (4,045)   (2,857)   (16,079)   (12,902)
Acquisition gain on purchase   —      —      5,850    —   
Net gain (loss) on life settlement contracts   (1,454)   —      46,892    11,855 
    (6,090)   (2,070)   34,245    (363)
                     
Income before provision for income taxes, equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries and non-controlling interest   48,024    40,516    228,654    171,401 
                     
Provision for income taxes   (11,749)   (9,111)   (42,372)   (47,053)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries (related parties)   1,118    2,241    7,871    24,044 
Net income   37,393    33,646    194,153    148,392 
Non-controlling interest   530    —      (23,719)   (5,927)
Net income attributable to Amtrust Financial Services, Inc.  $37,923   $33,646   $170,434   $142,465 
                     
Operating earnings attributable to Amtrust Financial Services, Inc. (3)  $40,697   $34,515   $179,451   $138,362 
                     
Earnings per common share:                    
Basic earnings per share  $0.63   $0.57   $2.85   $2.39 
Diluted earnings per share  $0.61   $0.56   $2.77   $2.36 
Operating diluted earnings per share  (4)  $0.66   $0.57   $2.91   $2.29 
                     
Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding   60,042    59,548    59,836    59,453 
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding   62,037    60,698    61,582    60,347 
                     
Combined ratio   89.0%   87.6%   89.0%   85.3%
                     
Return on equity   17.6%   19.0%   21.2%   22.2%
Operating return on equity  (5)   18.8%   19.5%   22.3%   21.5%
                     
Reconciliation of net realized losses:                    
Other-than-temporary investment impairments  $(4,066)  $—     $(4,411)  $(21,196)
Impairments recognized in other comprehensive income   —      —      —      —   
    (4,066)   —      (4,411)   (21,196)
Net realized gains on sale of investments   5,253    3,252    7,179    27,149 
Net realized gains  $1,187   $3,252   $2,768   $5,953 

 

 
 

 

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

Balance Sheet Highlights

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

   December 31,   December 31, 
   2011   2010 
           
Cash, cash equivalents and investments  $2,082,331   $1,558,961 
Premiums receivables   932,992    727,561 
Goodwill and intangible assets   314,616    197,826 
Total assets   5,682,554    4,182,453 
Loss and loss expense reserves   1,879,175    1,263,537 
Unearned premium   1,366,170    1,024,965 
Trust preferred securities   123,714    123,714 
Convertible senior notes   138,506    —   
AmTrust's stockholders' equity  $890,563   $716,514 
           
Book Value per Share  $14.82   $12.03 

 

 
 

 

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

  

   Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31, 
   2011   2010   2011   2010 
                 
Reconciliation of net income attributable to AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. to operating earnings attributable to AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.:                    
Net income attributable to Amtrust Financial Services, Inc.  $37,923   $33,646   $170,434   $142,465 
Less:     Net realized gains (loss) net of tax   771    2,114    1,799    3,869 
Gain (loss) on investment in unconsolidated subsidiary net of tax (1)   —      —      (2,349)   6,792 
Acquisition gain net of tax (2)   —      —      3,803    —   
Foreign currency transaction gain ( loss)   (591)   787    (2,418)   684 
Non cash amortization of certain intangible assets   (2,954)   (3,770)   (9,852)   (7,242)
Operating earnings attributable to AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (3)  $40,697   $34,515   $179,451   $138,362 
                     
Reconciliation of diluted earnings per share to diluted operating earnings per share:                    
Diluted earnings per share  $0.61   $0.56   $2.77   $2.36 
Less:     Net realized gains (loss) net of tax   0.01    0.02    0.03    0.06 
Gain (loss) on investment in unconsolidated subsidiary net of tax   —      —      (0.04)   0.12 
Acquisition gain net of tax   —      —      0.06    —   
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)   (0.01)   0.01    (0.04)   0.01 
Non cash amortization of certain intangible assets   (0.05)   (0.04)   (0.15)   (0.12)
Operating diluted earnings per share (4)  $0.66   $0.57   $2.91   $2.29 
                     
Reconciliation of return on equity to operating return on equity:                    
Return on equity   17.6%   19.0%   21.2%   22.2%
Less:     Net realized gains (loss) net of tax   0.3%   1.2%   0.2%   0.7%
Gain (loss) on investment in unconsolidated subsidiary net of tax   —  %   —  %   (0.3)%   1.2%
Acquisition gain net of tax   —  %   —  %   0.5%   —  %
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)   (0.3)%   0.5%   (0.3)%   0.1%
Non cash amortization of certain intangible assets   (1.2)%   (2.2)%   (1.2)%   (1.3)%
Operating return on equity (5)   18.8%   19.5%   22.3%   21.5%

 

 

(1)In 2011, the Company recorded its final purchase price adjustment related to ACAC’s 2010 purchase of GMAC’s consumer property and casualty insurance business. The Company originally recorded an after-tax gain of $6,792 related to this acquisition in 2010. ACAC finalized its purchase price accounting in 2011 and the impact on the Company’s gain on acquisition was to reduce the gain by $2,349 on an after-tax basis. As required under GAAP, the Company has recorded this adjustment in 2011 and included it as part of equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries (related parties), which was $1,118 and $7,871 for the three months and year ended December 31, 2011. This purchase price adjustment is not included in the Company’s calculation of operating earnings.

 

(2)The Company recorded a gain of $5,850 and after-tax gain of $3,803 related to the renewal rights and loss portfolio transfer transaction with Majestic Insurance Company.

 

(3)Operating earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income less after-tax realized investment gain (loss), gain (loss) on investment in unconsolidated subsidiary net of tax, acquisition gain, certain amortization expense and foreign currency transaction gain (loss) and should not be considered an alternative to net income. The Company's management believes that operating earnings is a useful indicator of trends in the Company's underlying operations because it provides a more meaningful representation of the Company's earnings power. The Company's measure of operating earnings may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

 

(4)Diluted operating earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income less after-tax net realized investment gain (loss), gain (loss) on investment in unconsolidated subsidiary net of tax, acquisition gain, certain amortization expense and foreign currency transaction gain (loss) divided by the weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the period and should not be considered an alternative to diluted earnings per share. The Company's management believes that diluted operating earnings per share is a useful indicator of trends in the Company's underlying operations because it provides a more meaningful representation of the Company’s earnings power. The Company's measure of diluted operating earnings per share may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

 

(5)Operating return on equity is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income less net after-tax realized investment gain (loss), gain (loss) on investment in unconsolidated subsidiary net of tax, acquisition gain, certain amortization expense and foreign currency transaction gain (loss) divided by the average shareholders' equity for the period and should not be considered an alternative to return on equity. The Company's management believes that operating return on equity is a useful indicator of trends in the Company's underlying operations because it provides a more meaningful representation of the Company’s earnings power. The Company's measure of operating return on equity may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

 

 

 
 

 

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

Segment Information

(in thousands, except percentages)

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31, 
   2011   2010   2011   2010 
Gross written premium                    
Small Commercial Business  $149,081   $127,811   $609,822   $465,951 
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty   306,768    252,726    1,056,511    748,525 
Specialty Program   105,590    71,116    381,541    264,051 
Personal Lines Reinsurance   25,322    23,212    102,598    82,295 
   $586,761   $474,865   $2,150,472   $1,560,822 
                     
Net written premium                    
Small Commercial Business  $85,779   $69,270   $355,721   $243,146 
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty   176,600    123,458    615,563    362,100 
Specialty Program   57,293    42,641    202,715    139,685 
Personal Lines Reinsurance   25,322    23,212    102,598    82,295 
   $344,994   $258,581   $1,276,597   $827,226 
                     
Net earned premium                    
Small Commercial Business  $94,494   $63,163   $320,266   $252,442 
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty   125,773    84,331    446,765    303,583 
Specialty Program   53,520    41,081    171,375    140,253 
Personal Lines Reinsurance   25,606    21,838    98,455    49,381 
   $299,393   $210,413   $1,036,861   $745,659 
                     
Loss Ratio                    
Small Commercial Business   63.0%   64.5%   63.0%   61.2%
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty   64.3%   65.6%   66.6%   63.0%
Specialty Program   67.7%   71.1%   66.9%   67.2%
Personal Lines Reinsurance   68.7%   66.0%   65.2%   64.1%
Total   64.9%   66.4%   65.4%   63.2%
                     
Expense Ratio                    
Small Commercial Business   27.2%   23.5%   26.8%   24.5%
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty   19.0%   14.7%   17.9%   16.6%
Specialty Program   27.9%   25.0%   27.6%   25.7%
Personal Lines Reinsurance   30.0%   32.5%   31.8%   32.5%
Total   24.1%   21.2%   23.6%   22.1%
                     
Combined Ratio                    
Small Commercial Business   90.1%   88.0%   89.9%   85.7%
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty   83.4%   80.3%   84.5%   79.6%
Specialty Program   95.6%   96.0%   94.6%   93.0%
Personal Lines Reinsurance   98.7%   98.5%   97.1%   96.6%
Total   89.0%   87.6%   89.0%   85.3%