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8-K - FORM 8-K - Allied World Assurance Co Holdings, AGd343325d8k.htm
EX-99.3 - FIRST QUARTER 2012 INVESTMENT SUPPLEMENT - Allied World Assurance Co Holdings, AGd343325dex993.htm
EX-99.2 - FIRST QUARTER 2012 FINANCIAL SUPPLEMENT - Allied World Assurance Co Holdings, AGd343325dex992.htm

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALLIED WORLD REPORTS 6.7% GROWTH IN DILUTED BOOK VALUE PER SHARE WITH STRONG FIRST QUARTER 2012 RESULTS

ZUG, SWITZERLAND, MAY 2, 2012—Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG (NYSE: AWH) today reported net income of $218.2 million, or $5.70 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2012 compared to net income of $8.6 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2011. The company reported operating income of $91.5 million, or $2.39 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2012, compared to an operating loss of $41.3 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2011.

President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Carmilani commented, “Allied World had a strong first quarter with gross premiums exceeding $680 million for the first time, an increase of over 21%, or $120 million, from the same quarter last year. This is a direct result of the investments we have made in underwriting talent and operating platforms during the last few years. Premiums in our reinsurance segment alone were up $97 million for the quarter, driven by our global marine and specialty unit that was launched in late 2010.”

“The company is operating with significant positive momentum in all aspects of our business. The company generated $218 million of net income for the quarter, benefited significantly from gains across our investment portfolio during the quarter and from solid underwriting results. All in, these results demonstrate our ability to continue to build value for our shareholders. The company’s diluted book value per share increased by a very impressive 6.7% for the quarter, to $85.48 per share.”

Underwriting Results

Gross premiums written were $680.9 million in the first quarter of 2012, a 21.4% increase compared to $560.7 million in the first quarter of 2011. Net premiums written were $588.9 million in the first quarter of 2012, a 22.5% increase compared to $480.9 million in the first quarter of 2011. Net premiums earned in the first quarter of 2012 were $401.9 million, a 20% increase compared to $334.9 million in the first quarter of 2011.

The combined ratio was 85.2% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 122.6% in the first quarter of 2011. The loss and loss expense ratio was 56.0% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 90.9% in the first quarter of 2011. During the first quarter of 2012, the company recorded net favorable reserve


development on prior loss years of $39.5 million. This favorable reserve development resulted in a benefit of 9.8 percentage points to the company’s loss and loss expense ratio for the quarter. This compares to the first quarter of 2011, when the company recorded net favorable reserve development on prior loss years of $44.3 million, a benefit of 13.2 percentage points to the company’s loss and loss expense ratio for that quarter. Absent these adjustments, the loss and loss expense ratio for the first quarter of 2012 was 65.8% compared to 104.1% for the first quarter of 2011. During the first quarter 2012, the company recorded no catastrophe losses related to 2012 events. The first quarter 2011 loss and loss expense ratio was impacted by $132.2 million of net losses, or 39.5 percentage points, from global catastrophe events during the quarter.

The company’s expense ratio was 29.2% for the first quarter of 2012 compared to 31.7% for the first quarter of 2011.

Investment Results

The total return on the company’s investment portfolio for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was 2.0% compared to 1.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2011. See the table below for the components of our investment returns:

 

(Expressed in millions of U.S. Dollars)   

THREE
MONTHS
ENDED

MARCH 31,
2012

   

THREE
MONTHS
ENDED

MARCH 31,
2011

 

Net investment income

   $ 47.2      $ 50.2   

Net realized investment gains

     133.6        50.4   

Change in unrealized gains

     (14.0     (25.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income, realized gains and unrealized gains

     166.8        75.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average invested assets

   $ 8,159.2      $ 7,752.6   

Financial statement portfolio return

     2.0     1.0

Note: investment income, net realized gains / losses and change in unrealized gains / losses are disclosed on a pre-tax basis.

Shareholders’ Equity

As of March 31, 2012, our total shareholders’ equity was $3,245.8 million, compared to $3,149.0 million as of December 31, 2011.

The company’s annualized net income return on average shareholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was 27.4%. The company’s annualized operating return on average shareholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was 11.5%.


As of March 31, 2012, diluted book value per share was $85.48, an increase of 6.7% compared to $80.11 as of December 31, 2011.

Share Repurchase Program

During the first quarter 2012, the company repurchased 1.4 million of its common shares through its share repurchase program in the open market at an average price of $65.01 per share for an aggregate cost of $93.0 million.

Investment Supplement

Allied World will be providing additional information on its investment portfolio as of March 31, 2012. This information will be available at the “Investor Relations” section of the company’s website at www.awac.com.

Financial Supplement

A financial supplement relating to the first quarter of 2012 will be available at the “Investor Relations” section of the company’s website at www.awac.com.

Conference Call

Allied World will host a conference call on Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. The public may access a live webcast of the conference call at the “Investor Relations” section of the company’s website at www.awac.com. In addition, the conference call can be accessed by dialing (866) 843-0890 (U.S. and Canada callers) or (412) 317-9250 (international callers) and entering the passcode 7110230 approximately ten minutes prior to the call.

Following the conclusion of the presentation, a replay of the call will be available through Thursday, May 17, 2012 by dialing (877) 344-7529 (U.S. and Canada callers) or (412) 317-0088 (international callers) and entering the passcode 10012062. In addition, the webcast will remain available online through Thursday, May 17, 2012 at www.awac.com.


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In presenting the company’s results, management has included and discussed in this press release certain non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G as promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures, which may be defined differently by other companies, better explain the company’s results of operations in a manner that allows for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends in the company’s business. However, these measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

“Operating income” is an internal performance measure used in the management of the company’s operations and represents after-tax operational results excluding, as applicable, net realized investment gains or losses, net impairment charges recognized in earnings, net foreign exchange gain or loss and impairment of intangible assets, and other non-recurring items. The company excludes net realized investment gains or losses, net impairment charges recognized in earnings, net foreign exchange gain or loss, and other non-recurring items from the calculation of operating income because these amounts are heavily influenced by and fluctuate in part according to the availability of market opportunities and other factors. The company excludes impairment of intangible assets as these are non-recurring charges. In addition to presenting net income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the company believes that showing operating income enables investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of the company’s financial information to more easily analyze our results of operations and underlying business performance. Operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income.

The company has included “diluted book value per share” because it takes into account the effect of dilutive securities; therefore, the company believes it is an important measure of calculating shareholder returns.

“Annualized net income return on average shareholders’ equity” (“ROAE”) is calculated using average shareholders’ equity, excluding the average after tax unrealized gains (or losses) on investments. Unrealized gains (losses) on investments are primarily the result of interest rate and credit spread movements and the resultant impact on fixed income securities. Such gains (losses) are not related to management actions or operational performance, nor are they likely to be realized. Therefore, the company believes that excluding these unrealized gains (losses) provides a more consistent and


useful measurement of operating performance, which supplements U.S. GAAP information. In calculating ROAE, the net income (loss) available to shareholders for the period is multiplied by the number of such periods in a calendar year in order to arrive at annualized net income (loss) available to shareholders. The company presents ROAE as a measure that is commonly recognized as a standard of performance by investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of its financial information.

“Annualized operating return on average shareholders’ equity” is calculated using operating income (as defined above and annualized in the manner described for net income (loss) available to shareholders under ROAE above) and average shareholders’ equity, excluding the average after tax unrealized gains (losses) on investments. Unrealized gains (losses) are excluded from equity for the reasons outlined in the annualized net income return on average shareholders’ equity explanation above.

Reconciliations of these financial measures to their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures are included in the attached tables.

About Allied World Assurance Company

Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG, through its subsidiaries, is a global provider of innovative property, casualty and specialty insurance and reinsurance solutions, offering superior client service through a global network of offices and branches. All of Allied World’s rated insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are rated A by A.M. Best Company, A by Standard & Poor’s, and A2 by Moody’s, and our Lloyd’s Syndicate 2232 is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s and Fitch. Please visit www.awac.com for further information on Allied World.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any forward-looking statements made in this press release reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. For example, our forward-looking statements could be affected by pricing and policy term trends; increased competition; the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war; greater frequency or severity of unpredictable catastrophic events; negative rating agency actions; the adequacy of our loss reserves; the company or its subsidiaries becoming subject to significant income taxes in the United States or


elsewhere; changes in regulations or tax laws; changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance or retrocessional coverage; adverse general economic conditions; and judicial, legislative, political and other governmental developments, as well as management’s response to these factors, and other factors identified in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or revise any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.


ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, AG

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

     Quarter Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011  

Revenues:

    

Gross premiums written

   $ 680,929      $ 560,688   

Premiums ceded

     (91,976     (79,817
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

     588,953        480,871   

Change in unearned premiums

     (187,063     (145,995
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

     401,890        334,876   

Net investment income

     47,209        50,208   

Net realized investment gains

     133,581        50,376   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     582,680        435,460   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Net losses and loss expenses

     225,202        304,452   

Acquisition costs

     47,138        38,082   

General and administrative expenses

     70,366        67,956   

Amortization of intangible assets

     633        767   

Interest expense

     13,756        13,742   

Foreign exchange gain

     (81     (442
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     357,014        424,557   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     225,666        10,903   

Income tax expense

     7,510        2,283   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME

   $ 218,156      $ 8,620   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

PER SHARE DATA:

    

Basic earnings per share

   $ 5.86      $ 0.23   

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 5.70      $ 0.21   

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     37,205,166        38,199,867   

Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding

     38,284,635        40,383,523   

Dividends paid per share

   $ 0.375      $ —     


ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, AG

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

     As of
March 31,
2012
    As of
December  31,
2011
 

ASSETS:

    

Fixed maturity investments available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2012: $40,674; 2011: $226,397)

   $ 44,250      $ 244,016   

Fixed maturity investments trading, at fair value (amortized cost: 2012: $6,156,050; 2011: $6,207,991)

     6,271,237        6,254,686   

Equity securities trading, at fair value (cost: 2012: $424,617; 2011: $356,370)

     459,639        367,483   

Other invested assets trading, at fair value

     522,065        540,409   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

     7,297,191        7,406,594   

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,113,099        716,604   

Insurance balances receivable

     748,137        652,158   

Prepaid reinsurance

     214,702        226,721   

Reinsurance recoverable

     1,056,780        1,002,919   

Accrued investment income

     33,452        38,263   

Net deferred acquisition costs

     125,645        100,334   

Goodwill

     268,376        268,376   

Intangible assets

     53,264        53,898   

Net deferred tax assets

     19,171        22,646   

Other assets

     58,464        53,202   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 10,988,281      $ 10,541,715   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

    

Reserve for losses and loss expenses

   $ 5,331,418      $ 5,225,143   

Unearned premiums

     1,253,454        1,078,412   

Reinsurance balances payable

     93,262        124,539   

Net balances payable on purchases and sales of investments

     178,794        36,285   

Dividends payable

     13,795        14,302   

Senior notes

     798,014        797,949   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     73,723        116,063   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     7,742,460        7,392,693   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Common shares, 2012: par value CHF 13.69 per share and 2011: par value CHF 14.03 per share (2012 and 2011: 40,003,642 shares issued and 2012: 36,786,067; 2011: 37,742,131 shares outstanding)

     543,452        557,153   

Additional paid-in capital

     48,003        78,225   

Treasury shares, at cost (2012: 3,217,575; 2011: 2,261,511)

     (201,865     (136,590

Retained earnings

     2,853,906        2,635,750   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     2,325        14,484   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     3,245,821        3,149,022   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 10,988,281      $ 10,541,715   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, AG

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT DATA

(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except for ratio information)

 

Quarter Ended March 31, 2012

   U.S.
Insurance
    International
Insurance
    Reinsurance     Total  

Gross premiums written

   $ 204,211      $ 113,590      $ 363,128      $ 680,929   

Net premiums written

     153,846        72,609        362,498        588,953   

Net premiums earned

     153,358        79,871        168,661        401,890   

Net losses and loss expenses

     (97,704     (38,100     (89,398     (225,202

Acquisition costs

     (19,972     528        (27,694     (47,138

General and administrative expenses

     (31,044     (22,401     (16,921     (70,366
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Underwriting income

     4,638        19,898        34,648        59,184   

Net investment income

           47,209   

Net realized investment gains

           133,581   

Amortization of intangible assets

           (633

Interest expense

           (13,756

Foreign exchange gain

           81   
        

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

         $ 225,666   
        

 

 

 

GAAP Ratios:

        

Loss and loss expense ratio

     63.7     47.7     53.0     56.0

Acquisition cost ratio

     13.0     (0.7 %)      16.4     11.7

General and administrative expense ratio

     20.2     28.0     10.0     17.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Combined ratio

     96.9     75.0     79.4     85.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Quarter Ended March 31, 2011

   U.S.
Insurance
    International
Insurance
    Reinsurance     Total  

Gross premiums written

   $ 183,302      $ 111,325      $ 266,061      $ 560,688   

Net premiums written

     139,902        74,910        266,059        480,871   

Net premiums earned

     135,481        76,290        123,105        334,876   

Net losses and loss expenses

     (115,831     (71,184     (117,437     (304,452

Acquisition costs

     (18,102     1,856        (21,836     (38,082

General and administrative expenses

     (30,799     (20,728     (16,429     (67,956
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Underwriting loss

     (29,251     (13,766     (32,597     (75,614

Net investment income

           50,208   

Net realized investment gains

           50,376   

Amortization of intangible assets

           (767

Interest expense

           (13,742

Foreign exchange gain

           442   
        

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

         $ 10,903   
        

 

 

 

GAAP Ratios:

        

Loss and loss expense ratio

     85.5     93.3     95.4     90.9

Acquisition cost ratio

     13.4     (2.4 %)      17.7     11.4

General and administrative expense ratio

     22.7     27.2     13.3     20.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Combined ratio

     121.6     118.1     126.4     122.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, AG

UNAUDITED OPERATING INCOME RECONCILIATION

(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

     Quarter Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011  

Net income

   $ 218,156      $ 8,620   

Add after tax affect of:

    

Net realized investment gains

     (126,570     (49,526

Foreign exchange gain

     (81     (442
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 91,505      $ (41,348
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     37,205,166        38,199,867   

Diluted

     38,284,635        40,383,523   

Basic per share data:

    

Net income

   $ 5.86      $ 0.23   

Add after tax affect of:

    

Net realized investment gains

     (3.40     (1.30

Foreign exchange gain

     —          (0.01
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 2.46      $ (1.08
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted per share data:

    

Net income

   $ 5.70      $ 0.21   

Add after tax affect of:

    

Net realized investment gains

     (3.31     (1.22

Foreign exchange gain

     —          (0.01
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 2.39      $ (1.02
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, AG

UNAUDITED DILUTED BOOK VALUE PER SHARE RECONCILIATION

(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

     As of
March 31,
2012
    As of
December 31,
2011
    As of
March 31,
2011
 

Price per share at period end

   $ 68.67      $ 62.93      $ 62.69   

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 3,245,821      $ 3,149,022      $ 2,950,953   

Basic common shares outstanding

     36,786,067        37,742,131        37,899,699   

Add: unvested restricted share units

     187,623        249,251        475,679   

Add: performance based equity awards

     524,888        889,939        920,164   

Add: employee share purchase plan

     —          11,053        —     

Add: dilutive options/warrants outstanding

     1,429,333        1,525,853        1,674,993   

Weighted average exercise price per share

   $ 45.98      $ 45.72      $ 45.47   

Deduct: options bought back via treasury method

     (957,064     (1,108,615     (1,215,020
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common shares and common share equivalents outstanding

     37,970,847        39,309,612        39,755,515   

Basic book value per common share

   $ 88.24      $ 83.44      $ 77.86   

Diluted book value per common share

   $ 85.48      $ 80.11      $ 74.23   


ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, AG

UNAUDITED ANNUALIZED RETURN ON SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RECONCILIATION

(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except for percentage information)

 

     Quarter Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011  

Opening shareholders’ equity

   $ 3,149,022      $ 3,075,820   

Deduct: accumulated other comprehensive income

     (14,484     (57,135
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted opening shareholders’ equity

     3,134,538        3,018,685   

Closing shareholders’ equity

   $ 3,245,821      $ 2,950,953   

Deduct: accumulated other comprehensive income

     (2,325     (32,963
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted closing shareholders’ equity

     3,243,496        2,917,990   

Average shareholders’ equity

   $ 3,189,017      $ 2,968,338   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to shareholders

   $ 218,156      $ 8,620   

Annualized net income available to shareholders

     872,624        34,480   

Annualized return on average shareholders’ equity - net income available to shareholders

     27.4     1.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss) available to shareholders

   $ 91,505      $ (41,348

Annualized operating income (loss) available to shareholders

     366,020        (165,392

Annualized return on average shareholders’ equity - operating income (loss) available to shareholders

     11.5     (5.6 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


Source: Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG

Media:

Noelle Campbell

Marketing & Communications

+1-646-794-0544

noelle.campbell@awac.com

Investors:

Keith J. Lennox

Investor Relations Officer

+1-646-794-0750

keith.lennox@awac.com

Website: www.awac.com