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8-K - CURRENT REPORT - HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES INCv312328_8k.htm

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2012 RESULTS

 

FORT WORTH, Texas, (May 8, 2012) - Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALL) (“Hallmark”) today reported first quarter 2012 net income of $0.2 million compared to a net loss of $11.2 million reported for first quarter 2011. On a fully diluted basis, first quarter 2012 net income was $0.01 per share as compared to net loss of $0.56 per share for the first quarter of 2011. Total revenues were $83.0 million for the first quarter 2012 as compared to $77.4 million for the first quarter of 2011.

 

Mark J. Morrison, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Although greatly improved, our first quarter results were adversely impacted by an extraordinarily severe hailstorm in McAllen, Texas on March 29, 2012. This storm produced baseball-sized hail that severely damaged homes and businesses in central and northern McAllen for up to an hour amid 70-75 mph winds, according to the National Weather Service. Absent this storm, our quarterly results would have been the largest profit reported by Hallmark in the past two years. We have reserved $4.5 million to cover the claims arising from this hailstorm.”

 

Mr. Morrison continued, “This storm over-shadows the improving trends in our Specialty Commercial Segment as evidenced by this quarter’s 89.0% combined ratio on 22% more premium than a year ago. Underwriting results in our Specialty Commercial Segment improved as a result of recent rate increases, improving economic conditions and favorable movement in expected ultimate losses for recent accident years. In addition, the actions we have taken in our Personal Lines Segment continue to produce positive results as evidenced by a vastly improved combined ratio of 107.2% as compared to the 134.7% combined ratio last quarter and the 160.1% combined ratio a year ago. Aggressive steps taken in 2011 to exit unprofitable markets and products, coupled with meaningful rate increases across many of our markets, have allowed us to make significant progress towards reestablishing underwriting profitability in our Personal Lines Segment.”

 

“We expect continued improvement in our underwriting margins through 2012 as we have seen mid to upper-single digit rate increases in both our commercial and personal lines of business beginning in the last half of 2011 and accelerating through the first quarter of this year.” Mr. Morrison added.

 

Mark E. Schwarz, Executive Chairman of Hallmark, stated, “Year over year, book value per share increased 2% to $11.28 per share as of March 31, 2012. Cash flow from operations was $5 million in the first quarter. Total cash and investments increased 3% during the quarter to an all-time high of $27.22 per share. Hallmark continues to have significant cash of $78 million as of March 31, 2012.”

 
 
   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
   2012   2011   % Change 
   ($ in thousands, unaudited) 
Gross premiums written   97,395    89,712    9%
Net premiums written   84,962    76,234    11%
Net premiums earned   77,208    70,113    10%
Investment income, net of expenses   3,846    4,007    -4%
Net realized (losses) gains   (119)   1,119    -111%
Total revenues   82,986    77,408    7%
Net earnings (loss) (1)   171    (11,213)   NM 
Net earnings (loss) per share - basic  $0.01   $(0.56)   NM 
Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted  $0.01   $(0.56)   NM 
Book value per share  $11.28   $11.08    2%
Cash flow from operations  $4,813   $(5,980)   NM 

 

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

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2012, Hallmark’s total revenues were $83.0 million, representing a 7% increase from the $77.4 million in total revenues for the same period of 2011. This increase in revenue was primarily attributable to increased earned premium due to increased production by the Specialty Commercial Segment. These increases in revenue were partially offset primarily by net realized losses on the investment portfolio during the first quarter of 2012 as compared to net realized gains reported during the first quarter of 2011.

 

Hallmark reported net income of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, which was an $11.4 million improvement from the $11.2 million net loss reported for the first quarter of 2011. On a diluted basis per share, net income was $0.01 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2012, as compared to net loss of $0.56 per share for the same period in 2011. In addition to the increase in revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2012, loss and loss adjustment expenses decreased $9.0 million as compared to the same period during 2011 due primarily to $3.0 million of favorable prior year development for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to $15.1 million of adverse prior year loss reserve development for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This favorable change in prior year loss development was partially offset by $4.0 million and $0.5 million of hail storm related losses during the first quarter of 2012 in the Standard Commercial business unit and the E&S Commercial business unit, respectively. Higher operating expenses due mostly to increased production related expenses in the E&S Commercial business unit and increased staffing costs in the Personal Segment also partially offset the improvement in pre-tax results of the quarter.

 

Hallmark's consolidated net loss ratio was 71.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to 91.0% for the same period in 2011. Hallmark's net expense ratio was 31.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to 30.5% for the same period in 2011. Hallmark’s net combined ratio was 102.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to 121.5% for the same period in 2011.

 

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)

 

   March 31   December 31 
ASSETS  2012   2011 
   (unaudited)   (as adjusted) 
Investments:          
Debt securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $400,376 in 2012 and $380,578 in 2011)  $402,394   $380,469 
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $30,376 in 2012 and $30,465 in 2011)   44,085    44,159 
           
Total investments   446,479    424,628 
           
Cash and cash equivalents   70,215    74,471 
Restricted cash   7,697    9,372 
Ceded unearned premiums   19,518    19,470 
Premiums receivable   62,744    53,513 
Accounts receivable   3,617    3,946 
Receivable for securities   448    2,617 
Reinsurance recoverable   44,154    42,734 
Deferred policy acquisition costs   24,543    22,554 
Goodwill   44,695    44,695 
Intangible assets, net   25,758    26,654 
Federal income tax recoverable   6,500    6,738 
Prepaid expenses   1,936    1,458 
Other assets   13,122    13,209 
           
Total assets  $771,426   $746,059 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Liabilities:          
Revolving credit facility payable  $1,550   $4,050 
Subordinated debt securities   56,702    56,702 
Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses   305,716    296,945 
Unearned premiums   153,905    146,104 
Unearned revenue   58    55 
Reinsurance balances payable   4,161    3,139 
Accrued agent profit sharing   451    959 
Accrued ceding commission payable   1,068    1,071 
Pension liability   3,840    3,971 
Payable for securities   10,345    203 
Deferred federal income taxes, net   631    135 
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses   14,498    15,869 
           
Total liabilities   552,925    529,203 
           
Commitments and Contingencies          
           
Redeemable non-controlling interest   1,142    1,284 
           
           
Stockholders' equity:          
Common stock, $.18 par value, authorized 33,333,333 shares in 2012 and 2011; issued 20,872,831 in 2012 and 2011   3,757    3,757 
Additional paid-in capital   122,644    122,487 
Retained earnings   94,611    94,440 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   7,905    6,446 
Treasury stock (1,609,374 shares in 2012 and 2011), at cost   (11,558)   (11,558)
           
Total stockholders' equity   217,359    215,572 
           
   $771,426   $746,059 

 

 
 

 

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   Three Months Ended
   March 31
   2012   2011 
       (as adjusted) 
Gross premiums written  $97,395   $89,712 
Ceded premiums written   (12,433)   (13,478)
 Net premiums written   84,962    76,234 
 Change in unearned premiums   (7,754)   (6,121)
 Net premiums earned   77,208    70,113 
           
Investment income, net of expenses   3,846    4,007 
Net realized (losses) gains   (119)   1,119 
Finance charges   1,640    1,740 
Commission and fees   180    415 
Other income   231    14 
           
Total revenues   82,986    77,408 
           
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   54,791    63,785 
Other operating expenses   25,932    23,153 
Interest expense   1,149    1,158 
Amortization of intangible assets   897    897 
           
Total expenses   82,769    88,993 
           
Income (loss) before tax   217    (11,585)
Income tax expense (benefit)   23    (386)
Net income (loss)   194    (11,199)
          
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling  interest   23    14 
           
Net income (loss) attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.  $171   $(11,213)
           
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. common stockholders:          
 Basic  $0.01   $(0.56)
 Diluted  $0.01   $(0.56)
           

 

 
 

 

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc

Consolidated Segment Data

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
   Standard   Specialty             
   Commercial   Commercial   Personal         
   Segment   Segment   Segment   Corporate   Consolidated 
                     
Gross premiums written  $18,847   $54,885   $23,663   $-   $97,395 
Ceded premiums written   (1,457)   (10,814)   (162)   -    (12,433)
Net premiums written   17,390    44,071    23,501    -    84,962 
Change in unearned premiums   (561)   (6,036)   (1,157)   -    (7,754)
Net premiums earned   16,829    38,035    22,344    -    77,208 
                          
Total revenues   18,106    40,393    24,431    56    82,986 
                          
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   13,764    23,009    18,018    -    54,791 
                          
Pre-tax  income (loss), net of                         
non-controlling interest   (1,362)   5,977    (1,191)   (3,230)   194 
                          
Net loss ratio (1)   81.8%   60.5%   80.6%        71.0%
Net expense ratio (1)   31.1%   28.5%   26.6%        31.4%
Net combined ratio (1)   112.9%   89.0%   107.2%        102.4%

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
   Standard   Specialty             
   Commercial   Commercial   Personal         
   Segment   Segment   Segment   Corporate   Consolidated 
                          
Gross premiums written  $17,455   $40,082   $32,175   $-   $89,712 
Ceded premiums written   (1,172)   (7,720)   (4,586)   -    (13,478)
Net premiums written   16,283    32,362    27,589    -    76,234 
Change in unearned premiums   (391)   (1,147)   (4,583)   -    (6,121)
Net premiums earned   15,892    31,215    23,006    -    70,113 
                          
Total revenues   17,427    33,143    25,050    1,788    77,408 
                          
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   12,625    19,801    31,359    -    63,785 
                          
Pre-tax  income (loss), net of                         
non-controlling interest   (383)   3,450    (13,183)   (1,483)   (11,599)
                          
Net loss ratio (1)   79.4%   63.4%   136.3%        91.0%
Net expense ratio (1)   31.5%   30.1%   23.8%        30.5%
Net combined ratio (1)   110.9%   93.6%   160.1%        121.5%

 

 

1The 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.