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8-K - MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP INC 8-K 2-14-2012 - MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP INCform8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1
 

CONTACT:
 
Karen M. Spaun
John P. Shallcross
SVP & Chief Financial Officer
Director of Investor Relations & Capital Strategies
(248) 204-8178
(248) 204-8066

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
February 14, 2012

MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
REPORTS FULL YEAR NET OPERATING INCOME OF $40.9 MILLION
 
 
·
Full year revenue up 11.6% to $837.2 million
 
·
Full year GAAP combined ratio of 99.7% and accident year combined ratio of 98.7%
 
·
Full year net operating income of $40.9 million, or $0.78 per diluted share
 
·
Book value per share of $11.60, up 12.8% from December 31, 2010
 
·
Quarterly dividend declared of $0.05 per share
 
Full Year 2011 Overview
 
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: MIG) reported full year 2011 net operating income, a non-GAAP measure the Company defines as net income excluding after-tax realized gains and losses, of $40.9 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, compared to $58.2 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, in 2010. Net income for the year was $43.6 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, compared to $59.7 million, or $1.10 per diluted share in 2010.
 
The 2011 GAAP combined ratio was 99.7%, compared to 95.0% in 2010.
 
The 2011 accident year combined ratio, a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of any unfavorable or favorable development on prior year losses, improved to 98.7% from 99.7% in 2010.
 
The 2011 accident year includes storm losses of $26.3 million which was $9.0 million, or 1.2 percentage points, higher than an expected or ‘normal level’ of storm activity. This higher than expected level of storm losses was partially offset by improved underwriting results as rate increases and underwriting actions begin to take effect. The improvement also reflects the conversion of an existing fee-based program into an insured program where the Company now assumes what is a profitable underwriting risk. Additionally, the current accident year combined ratio benefited from a reduction in performance based variable compensation in the current year as compared to 2010.
 
 
PR-0312
 
 
 

 
 
PRESS RELEASE
PAGE 2
 
The 2011 pre-tax results include a $7.3 million increase in the estimate for prior year ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense reserves. The after-tax impact was $4.8 million. The pre-tax increase represents approximately 0.9% of carried reserves as of December 31, 2010. This change in estimate reflects higher than expected losses on isolated prior accident years in automobile liability, excess lines and workers compensation. This was partially offset by favorable development in other lines, particularly medical professional liability and general liability, although at lower levels than in prior quarters.
 
Commenting on the 2011 loss reserve development, Meadowbrook President and Chief Executive Officer Robert S. Cubbin stated: “Consistent with our culture of responding quickly to adverse experience, we increased our reserves in select lines of business during the year. Over the past twenty-four months we have taken significant rate and underwriting action and we will continue to seek additional rate and underwriting actions for lines of business that are not meeting our profitability targets. We remain pleased with the performance of our California workers’ compensation book of business as indications are that rate increases are keeping up with the underlying loss trends and overall the business remains profitable.”
 
Full year 2011 gross written premium increased $102.1 million, or 12.7%, to $904.0 million, compared to $801.9 million in 2010. As noted above, the 2011 results reflect the conversion of an existing fee-based program into an insured program where the Company now assumes the underwriting risk. Excluding the impact of the conversion of the existing fee-based program, gross written premium increased $68.0 million, or 8.7% as compared to the prior year. This increase primarily reflects the maturation of existing programs, rate increases that have been achieved and new business initiatives that were implemented during the past twelve months designed to develop specialty niche expertise in a range of areas. These increases were partially offset by reductions in certain programs where pricing or underwriting did not meet the Company’s targets.
 
Net commission and fee revenue for 2011 declined $2.1 million to $32.1 million from $34.2 million in the prior year. This decrease was primarily driven by the conversion of an existing fee-based program into an insured program where the Company earns premium revenue as opposed to net commission and fee revenue. Excluding the conversion, net commission and fee revenue was up slightly in 2011.
 
General, selling and administrative costs were $24.8 million for 2011, compared to $22.5 million the prior year. The increase relates primarily to investments in new sales initiatives to stimulate net commission and fee revenue growth, as well as a shift in certain overhead expenses from direct insurance operations to corporate overhead. These items were partially offset by a reduction in performance based variable compensation in 2011 as compared to 2010.
 
General corporate expenses decreased $5.3 million to $400,000 in 2011, compared to $5.7 million in 2010. The decrease is due to a reduction in the performance based variable compensation accrual in the current year, as compared to accruing a provision for variable compensation in 2010.
 
Commenting on the year, Mr. Cubbin stated: “During 2011 we faced a range of challenges including an unusually high frequency of storms during the second quarter, sustained soft market pricing conditions, and a prolonged low interest rate environment. Despite these challenges, we delivered profitable underwriting results, increased our book value per share by 12.8% and enhanced our future growth potential by continuing to develop and build out our specialty insurance underwriting capabilities. We will continue to monitor our business results on a granular level, taking any indicated pricing and underwriting actions for lines of business that are not meeting our profitability targets.”
 
PR-0312
 
 
 

 
 
PRESS RELEASE
PAGE 3

Fourth Quarter 2011 Highlights

·
Net operating income was $8.4 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $14.2 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2010.
·
Net income for the quarter was $8.8 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, compared to $15.4 million, or $0.29 per diluted share in the prior year quarter.
·
The GAAP combined ratio for the fourth quarter was 101.4% during 2011, compared to 95.4% in 2010; 2011 quarterly results include 3.8 percentage points of unfavorable development while 2010 quarterly results include 4.2 percentage points of favorable development.
·
The accident year combined ratio improved to 97.6%, compared to 99.6% in the fourth quarter of 2010.

2012 Guidance Affirmed

For 2012, management expects net operating income to be in a range of $46 million to $51 million, a GAAP combined ratio of 97.5% to 98.5%, and gross written premium in a range of $890 million to $910 million.  Achieving results within these ranges would result in net operating income between $0.90 and $1.00 per diluted share.
 
Commenting on the 2012 outlook, Mr. Cubbin stated: “Despite achieving an overall underwriting profit for the year, we are disappointed with the 2011 results. We have responded to a challenging market with appropriate underwriting and rating actions to help us return to a more acceptable level of underwriting profit. We remain optimistic about our future prospects and believe our balanced business model positions us well to deliver good results despite the low interest rate environment and on-going competitive pricing conditions.”

Other Matters

Shareholders’ Equity:
Shareholder’s equity increased 8.3% to $592.4 million at December 31, 2011 from $547.1 million at December 31, 2010; this equates to an increase in book value per share of 12.8% to $11.60 per share at December 31, 2011 compared to $10.28 per share at December 31, 2010, on a lower share count.

Statutory Surplus:
At December 31, 2011, the combined statutory surplus of Meadowbrook’s insurance subsidiaries grew to $385.4 million, compared to $370.5 million at December 31, 2010.

Premium Leverage Ratios:
As of December 31, 2011, on a trailing twelve month statutory consolidated basis, the gross and net premium leverage ratios were 2.3 to 1.0 and 2.0 to 1.0, respectively. As a reference point, the Company’s target ratios for gross and net written premium to statutory surplus are 2.75 to 1.0 and 2.25 to 1.0, respectively.

Cash Flows from Operations:
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, operating cash flows were $138.1 million.

For the three months ended December 31, 2011, operating cash flows were $43.2 million.

Investment Portfolio:
Full year 2011 net investment income increased $349,000 to $54.5 million from $54.2 million in 2010. The 2010 results include a full year of accretion on a security that was previously impaired, but deemed to have recovered subsequent to the impairment. This security recovered fully and matured in the second quarter of 2011. Excluding the income amounts on this security in both 2011 and 2010, net investment income would have increased $806,000. This increase was driven by a higher average invested asset balance and partially offset by the prolonged low interest rate environment. Average invested assets (including cash) increased $142.2 million, or 11.2%, to $1.4 billion in 2011, from $1.3 billion in 2010, primarily due to positive operating cash flow. The annual average pre-tax investment yield for 2011 was 3.9% compared to 4.3% in 2010.
 
PR-0312
 
 
 

 

PRESS RELEASE
PAGE 4

Net investment income for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $13.7 million compared to $14.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. The decrease was driven by 2010 accretion on a security that was previously impaired, but deemed to have recovered subsequent to the impairment. This security recovered fully and matured in the second quarter of 2011. Excluding this security, net investment income would have been up slightly driven by an increase in the Company’s average invested asset base. Average invested assets (including cash) increased $120.0 million, or 8.9%, to $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011, from $1.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, primarily due to positive operating cash flow. The quarterly average pre-tax investment yield for 2011 was 3.7% compared to 4.2% in 2010.
 
At December 31, 2011, pre-tax book yield was 4.0% compared to 4.2% at December 31, 2010. The effective duration of the portfolio was 4.9 years at December 31, 2011, compared to 5.0 years at December 31, 2010. Management monitors the duration of both the investment portfolio and the loss reserves to ensure that cash flows from invested assets are appropriately matched to cover loss reserve payments.
 
Debt to Equity Ratio:
At December 31, 2011, our debt-to-equity ratio was 18.5%, compared to 21.7% at December 31, 2010.  The Company’s debt-to-equity ratio excluding the 30 year interest only senior and junior subordinated debentures was 4.8% at December 31, 2011, compared to 6.9% at December 31, 2010.
 
Dividend and Share Repurchases:
On February 9, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share payable on April 5, 2012 to shareholders of record as of March 21, 2012.
 
The Company repurchased approximately 2.2 million shares during 2011 at an average cost of $9.19 per share.  Accretive share repurchase activity during the year increased book value per share by $0.09.
 
Management is currently authorized to repurchase up to an additional 5.0 million of shares under the Share Repurchase Plan.
 
Conference Call
 
Meadowbrook’s 2011 fourth quarter results will be discussed by management in more detail on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. EDT.
 
To listen to the call please dial 1-877-407-8035 approximately five minutes prior to the start of the call and ask for the Meadowbrook conference call.  Additionally, the conference call will be broadcast live over the internet and can be accessed by all interested parties via the investor relations section of our website at www.meadowbrook.com or www.investorcalendar.com.
 
PR-0312
 
 
 

 

PRESS RELEASE
PAGE 5
 
For those who cannot listen to the live conference call, a replay of the call will be available through February 26, 2012 by dialing 1-877-660-6853 and referring to account number 286 and conference ID 386660. The webcast will be archived and available for replay through May 1, 2012.
 
About Meadowbrook Insurance Group
 
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc., based in Southfield, Michigan, is a leader in the specialty program management market.  Meadowbrook includes several agencies, claims and loss prevention facilities, self-insured management organizations and seven property and casualty insurance underwriting companies, including one in Bermuda. Meadowbrook has twenty-six locations in the United States. Meadowbrook is a risk management organization, specializing in specialty risk management solutions for agents, professional and trade associations, and small to medium-sized insureds.  Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MIG". For further information, please visit Meadowbrook’s corporate web site at www.meadowbrook.com.
 
Certain statements made by Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. in this release may constitute forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, those statements that include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” or similar expressions. Please refer to the Company's most recent 10-K, 10-Q, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings for more information on risk factors. Actual results could differ materially.  These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to the following: the frequency and severity of claims; uncertainties inherent in reserve estimates; catastrophic events; a change in the demand for, pricing of, availability or collectability of reinsurance; increased rate pressure on premiums; obtainment of certain rate increases in current market conditions; investment rate of return; changes in and adherence to insurance regulation; actions taken by regulators, rating agencies or lenders; obtainment of certain processing efficiencies; changing rates of inflation; and general economic conditions. Meadowbrook is not under any obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
PR-0312
 
 
 

 

EARNINGS RELEASE
PAGE 6

MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARNINGS RELEASE
UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

   
DECEMBER 31,
   
DECEMBER 31,
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
 
2011
   
2010
 
   
 
   
 
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA
           
   
 
   
 
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and invested assets
  $ 1,487,680     $ 1,345,257  
Premium and agents balances
    183,160       169,865  
Reinsurance recoverable
    325,754       294,196  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    85,663       78,755  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    33,754       28,208  
Goodwill
    120,792       118,842  
Other assets
    144,491       142,518  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 2,381,294     $ 2,177,641  
                 
LIABILITIES
               
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
  $ 1,194,977     $ 1,065,056  
Unearned premium reserves
    386,750       352,585  
Debt
    28,375       37,750  
Debentures
    80,930       80,930  
Other liabilities
    97,834       94,219  
Total Liabilities
    1,788,866       1,630,540  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Common stockholders' equity
    592,428       547,101  
                 
Total Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity
  $ 2,381,294     $ 2,177,641  
                 
Book value per common share
  $ 11.60     $ 10.28  
                 
Book value per common share excluding unrealized gain/loss, net of deferred taxes
  $ 10.28     $ 9.61  
 
 
 

 
 
EARNINGS RELEASE
PAGE 7

MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARNINGS RELEASE
UNAUDITED INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION
 
(In Thousands, Except
 
FOR THE THREE MONTHS
   
FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS
 
Share & Per Share Data)
 
ENDED DECEMBER 31,
   
ENDED DECEMBER 31,
 
             
SUMMARY DATA
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 223,117     $ 200,716     $ 904,026     $ 801,900  
Net written premiums
    191,712       174,186       776,253       693,599  
                                 
REVENUES
                               
Net earned premiums
  $ 201,920     $ 173,775     $ 747,635     $ 659,840  
Net commissions and fees
    8,487       7,367       32,115       34,239  
Net investment income
    13,683       13,975       54,522       54,173  
Net realized gains
    680       1,376       2,949       1,817  
Total Revenues
    224,770       196,493       837,221       750,069  
EXPENSES
                               
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
    139,730       107,019       495,351       399,650  
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses
    65,091       58,769       249,644       227,031  
General selling and administrative expenses
    7,024       5,386       24,775       22,494  
General corporate expenses
    (509 )     1,259       400       5,668  
Amortization expense
    1,327       1,209       4,973       4,966  
Interest expense
    2,027       2,199       8,347       9,458  
Total Expenses
    214,690       175,841       783,490       669,267  
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES AND UNCONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
                               
Income tax expense
    1,772       5,921       12,481       23,817  
Equity earnings of affiliates, net of tax
    523       672       2,418       2,263  
Equity earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net of tax
    (27 )     (13 )     (57 )     473  
NET INCOME
  $ 8,804     $ 15,390     $ 43,611     $ 59,721  
                                 
Less:  Net realized gains, net of tax
    431       1,222       2,699       1,505  
                                 
NET OPERATING INCOME (1)
  $ 8,373     $ 14,168     $ 40,912     $ 58,216  
                                 
Diluted earnings per common share
                               
Net income
  $ 0.17     $ 0.29     $ 0.83     $ 1.10  
Net operating income
  $ 0.16     $ 0.26     $ 0.78     $ 1.07  
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
    51,050,204       53,545,688       52,404,377       54,289,131  
                                 
GAAP ratios:
                               
Loss & LAE ratio
    69.2 %     61.6 %     66.3 %     60.6 %
Other underwriting expense ratio
    32.2 %     33.8 %     33.4 %     34.4 %
GAAP combined ratio
    101.4 %     95.4 %     99.7 %     95.0 %
 
(1) While net operating income is a non-GAAP disclosure, management believes this information is beneficial to reviewing the financial statements.  Net operating income is net income less realized gains net of taxes associated with such gains.
 
 
 

 
 
EARNINGS RELEASE
PAGE 8

MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARNINGS RELEASE
UNAUDITED INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION
 
(In Thousands)
 
FOR THE THREE MONTHS
   
FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS
 
 
 
ENDED DECEMBER 31,
   
ENDED DECEMBER 31,
 
 
           
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net earned premium
  $ 201,920     $ 173,775     $ 747,635     $ 659,840  
Net losses & loss adjustment expenses (1)
    139,730       107,019       495,351       399,650  
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses
    65,091       58,769       249,644       227,031  
(loss) profit from net earned premium
    (2,901 )     7,987       2,640       33,159  
Net investment income
    13,683       13,975       54,522       54,173  
Profit from insurance operations
    10,782       21,962       57,162       87,332  
 
                               
Net commissions and fees
  $ 8,487     $ 7,367     $ 32,115     $ 34,239  
General selling & administrative expenses
    7,024       5,386       24,775       22,494  
Profit from net commissions & fees
    1,463       1,981       7,340       11,745  
 
                               
General corporate expense
  $ (509 )   $ 1,259     $ 400     $ 5,668  
Amortization expense
    1,327       1,209       4,973       4,966  
Interest expense
    2,027       2,199       8,347       9,458  
Other expenses
    2,845       4,667       13,720       20,092  
 
                               
Profit from insurance operations
  $ 10,782     $ 21,962     $ 57,162     $ 87,332  
Profit from net commissions & fees
    1,463       1,981       7,340       11,745  
Other expenses
    (2,845 )     (4,667 )     (13,720 )     (20,092 )
Net capital gains
    680       1,376       2,949       1,817  
     Pretax income
  $ 10,080     $ 20,652     $ 53,731     $ 80,802  
 
                               
Key ratios:
                               
GAAP combined ratio
    101.4 %     95.4 %     99.7 %     95.0 %
Accident year combined ratio (2)
    97.6 %     99.6 %     98.7 %     99.7 %
 
(1) The three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 include unfavorable development of $7,677 and favorable development of $7,272, respectively.  The twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 include unfavorable development of $7,311 and favorable development of $31,003, respectively.
(2) The accident year combined ratio is the sum of the expense ratio and accident year loss ratio. The accident year loss ratio measures loss and LAE occurring in a particular year, regardless of when they are reported and does not take into consideration changes in estimates in loss reserves from prior accident years.