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8-K - EVEREST RE GROUP 8-K 2Q2012 - EVEREST RE GROUP LTDgroup8k2q2012.htm
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEWS RELEASE
               

 
EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
Wessex House, 45 Reid Street, 2nd Floor, Hamilton HM DX, Bermuda
 
  
Contact:  Elizabeth B. Farrell
Vice President, Investor Relations
Everest Global Services, Inc.
908.604.3169

For Immediate Release

Everest Re Group Reports Second Quarter 2012 Earnings

HAMILTON, Bermuda – July 25, 2012 -- Everest Re Group, Ltd. (NYSE: RE) today reported second quarter 2012 net income of $214.6 million, or $4.08 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $131.3 million, or $2.41 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2011. After-tax operating income1, excluding realized capital gains and losses, was $223.0 million, or $4.25 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2012, compared to after-tax operating income1 of $134.0 million, or $2.46 per diluted common share, for the same period last year.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2012, net income was $519.3 million, or $9.79 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $184.6 million, or $3.40 per common share, for the first six months of 2011. After-tax operating income1, excluding realized capital gains and losses, was $462.9 million, or $8.72 per diluted common share, compared to an after-tax operating loss of $189.6 million or $3.49 per common share, for the same period in 2011.
 
Commenting on the Company’s results, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph V. Taranto said, “This has been an exceptional year with 10% growth in book value per share, adjusted for dividends, through the first six months of the year. Strong market dynamics coupled with the strategic positioning of our underwriting portfolio has provided significant margin expansion as evidenced by our underwriting results, with a combined ratio of 89%. Add to this the investment earnings generated off of our sizable portfolio and we produced an annualized operating return on equity of 16%. These are all strong metrics and point to the strength of our franchise and our operating strategy.”


 

 

Operating highlights for the second quarter of 2012 included the following:
 
·  
Gross written premiums were $909 million, down 8% compared to the second quarter of 2011, primarily driven by the non-renewal of a large Florida quota share reinsurance contract in the quarter, which resulted in a portfolio return of the unearned premium reserve. Excluding the impact of this transaction, gross written premiums would have been up 12%. The underwriting portfolio continues to be strategically rebalanced away from quota share business and towards excess of loss business, providing improved overall margins.
·  
The loss and combined ratio for the quarter were 58.6% and 89.0%, respectively, compared to 70.8% and 98.0% in 2011. Excluding catastrophe losses, reinstatement premiums, and prior period loss development, the current quarter attritional loss ratio was 56.1% and the current quarter attritional combined ratio was 86.8%. This compared to 59.7% and 87.2%, respectively, for the same period last year.
·  
Net investment income for the quarter was $149.3 million, down 6% compared to last year, primarily driven by declining reinvestment rates.
·  
Net after-tax realized and unrealized capital losses totaled $8.5 million and $2.0 million, respectively, for the quarter.
·  
Cash flow from operations was $138.8 million compared to $150.6 million for the same period in 2011. Higher catastrophe loss payouts and taxes contributed to the decline this year.
·  
For the quarter, the annualized after-tax operating income1 return on average adjusted shareholders’ equity2 was 15.3% compared to 9.5% in 2011.
·  
During the quarter, the Company repurchased 990,957 of its common shares at an average price of $100.89 and a total cost of $100 million. For the year, the Company repurchased 2.4 million of its common shares for a total cost of $225 million. The repurchases were made pursuant to a share repurchase authorization, provided by the Company’s Board of Directors, under which there remains 4.9 million shares available.
·  
Shareholders’ equity ended the quarter at $6.4 billion, up 6% from the $6.1 billion at December 31, 2011. Book value per share increased 9.5% from $112.99 at December 31, 2011 to $123.75 at June 30, 2012.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws.  We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. Federal securities laws. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made on behalf of the Company.  These risks and uncertainties include the impact of general economic conditions and conditions affecting the insurance and reinsurance industry, the adequacy of our reserves, our ability to assess underwriting risk, trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, competition, investment market fluctuations, trends in insured and paid losses, catastrophes, regulatory and legal uncertainties and other factors described in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

 

Everest Re Group, Ltd. is a Bermuda holding company that operates through the following subsidiaries: Everest Reinsurance Company provides reinsurance to property and casualty insurers in both the U.S. and international markets. Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd., including through its branch in the United Kingdom, provides reinsurance and insurance to worldwide property and casualty markets and reinsurance to life insurers. Everest Reinsurance Company (Ireland), Limited provides reinsurance to non-life insurers in Europe. Everest National Insurance Company and Everest Security Insurance Company provide property and casualty insurance to policyholders in the U.S. Everest Indemnity Insurance Company offers excess and surplus lines insurance in the U.S. Everest Insurance Company of Canada provides property and casualty insurance to policyholders in Canada. Additional information on Everest Re Group companies can be found at the Group’s web site at www.everestregroup.com.
 
A conference call discussing the second quarter results will be held at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on July 26, 2012. The call will be available on the Internet through the Company’s web site or at www.streetevents.com.
 
Recipients are encouraged to visit the Company’s web site to view supplemental financial information on the Company’s results. The supplemental information is located at www.everestregroup.com in the “Financial Reports” section of the “Investor Center”. The supplemental financial information may also be obtained by contacting the Company directly.

___________________________

1The Company generally uses after-tax operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate its performance.  After-tax operating income (loss) consists of net income (loss) excluding after-tax net realized capital gains (losses) as the following reconciliation displays:


   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
         
(unaudited)
               
(unaudited)
       
                                                 
         
Per Diluted
         
Per Diluted
         
Per Diluted
         
Per
 
         
Common
         
Common
         
Common
         
Common
 
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
 
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 214,551     $ 4.08     $ 131,312     $ 2.41     $ 519,255     $ 9.79     $ (184,582 )   $ (3.40 )
After-tax net realized capital gains (losses)
    (8,462 )     (0.16 )     (2,661 )     (0.05 )     56,314       1.06       5,007       0.09  
                                                                 
After-tax operating income (loss)
  $ 223,013     $ 4.25     $ 133,971     $ 2.46     $ 462,941     $ 8.72     $ (189,590 )   $ (3.49 )
                                                                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                                                               


Although net realized capital gains (losses) are an integral part of the Company’s insurance operations, the determination of net realized capital gains (losses) is independent of the insurance underwriting process.  The Company believes that the level of net realized capital gains (losses) for any particular period is not indicative of the performance of the underlying business in that particular period.  Providing only a GAAP presentation of net income (loss) makes it more difficult for users of the financial information to evaluate the Company’s success or failure in its basic business, and may lead to incorrect or misleading assumptions and conclusions.  The Company understands that the equity analysts who follow the Company focus on after-tax operating income (loss) in their analyses for the reasons discussed above.  The Company provides after-tax operating income (loss) to investors so that they have what management believes to be a useful supplement to GAAP information concerning the Company’s performance.
 
2Adjusted shareholders’ equity excludes net after-tax unrealized (appreciation) depreciation of investments.
 
--Financial Details Follow--
 
 

 

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)


   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
REVENUES:
                       
Premiums earned
  $ 1,037,800     $ 1,039,835     $ 2,035,778     $ 2,051,281  
Net investment income
    149,329       158,618       301,767       337,323  
Net realized capital gains (losses):
                               
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
    (466 )     -       (6,354 )     (14,767 )
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
                               
transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)
    -       -       -       -  
Other net realized capital gains (losses)
    (16,114 )     (4,845 )     88,493       22,078  
Total net realized capital gains (losses)
    (16,580 )     (4,845 )     82,139       7,311  
Net derivative gain (loss)
    (16,306 )     (3,371 )     (10,123 )     4,154  
Other income (expense)
    27,812       (13,446 )     21,618       (16,833 )
Total revenues
    1,182,055       1,176,791       2,431,179       2,383,236  
                                 
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:
                               
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses
    607,870       735,789       1,210,336       1,985,565  
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees
    265,789       237,374       503,292       473,831  
Other underwriting expenses
    49,675       45,897       98,170       90,853  
Corporate expenses
    6,075       3,790       10,736       7,718  
Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense
    13,244       13,116       26,422       26,114  
Total claims and expenses
    942,653       1,035,966       1,848,956       2,584,081  
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES
    239,402       140,825       582,223       (200,845 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    24,851       9,513       62,968       (16,263 )
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 214,551     $ 131,312     $ 519,255     $ (184,582 )
                                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax :
                               
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period
    (9,020 )     108,484       71,107       67,677  
Less:  reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)
    6,972       3,153       7,214       19,471  
Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period
    (2,048 )     111,637       78,321       87,148  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    (24,997 )     10,683       (9,127 )     39,505  
Pension adjustments
    983       746       1,967       1,492  
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    (26,062 )     123,066       71,161       128,145  
                                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 188,489     $ 254,378     $ 590,416     $ (56,437 )
                                 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
                               
Basic
  $ 4.10     $ 2.42     $ 9.81     $ (3.40 )
Diluted
    4.08       2.41       9.79       (3.40 )
Dividends declared
    0.48       0.48       0.96       0.96  

 
 

 
 
EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except par value per share)
 
2012
   
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS:
           
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value
  $ 12,480,411     $ 12,293,524  
    (amortized cost: 2012, $11,845,861; 2011, $11,731,173)
               
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value
    62,831       113,606  
Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2012, $335,081; 2011, $463,620)
    331,212       448,930  
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value
    1,215,455       1,249,106  
Short-term investments
    947,600       685,332  
Other invested assets (cost: 2012, $593,459; 2011, $558,232)
    593,459       558,232  
Cash
    398,851       448,651  
       Total investments and cash
    16,029,819       15,797,381  
Accrued investment income
    129,309       130,193  
Premiums receivable
    971,599       1,077,548  
Reinsurance receivables
    598,399       580,339  
Funds held by reinsureds
    259,375       267,295  
Deferred acquisition costs
    285,034       378,026  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    76,583       85,409  
Deferred tax asset
    294,683       332,783  
Income taxes recoverable
    40,004       41,623  
Other assets
    218,446       202,958  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 18,903,251     $ 18,893,555  
                 
LIABILITIES:
               
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 9,890,827     $ 10,123,215  
Future policy benefit reserve
    66,269       67,187  
Unearned premium reserve
    1,241,592       1,412,778  
Funds held under reinsurance treaties
    2,646       2,528  
Commission reserves
    44,646       55,103  
Other net payable to reinsurers
    78,366       51,564  
5.4% Senior notes due 10/15/2014
    249,882       249,858  
6.6% Long term notes due 5/1/2067
    238,355       238,354  
Junior subordinated debt securities payable
    329,897       329,897  
Accrued interest on debt and borrowings
    4,781       4,781  
Equity index put option liability
    79,851       69,729  
Other liabilities
    258,788       217,186  
       Total liabilities
    12,485,900       12,822,180  
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
Preferred shares, par value: $0.01; 50,000 shares authorized;
               
    no shares issued and outstanding
    -       -  
Common shares, par value: $0.01; 200,000 shares authorized; (2012) 66,944
               
    and (2011) 66,455 outstanding before treasury shares
    669       665  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,924,313       1,892,988  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense
               
    (benefit) of $117,348 at 2012 and $112,969 at 2011
    438,139       366,978  
Treasury shares, at cost; 15,087 shares (2012) and 12,719 shares (2011)
    (1,298,969 )     (1,073,970 )
Retained earnings
    5,353,199       4,884,714  
       Total shareholders' equity
    6,417,351       6,071,375  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 18,903,251     $ 18,893,555  

 
 

 
 
EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 214,551     $ 131,312     $ 519,255     $ (184,582 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                               
Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable
    70,139       (35,074 )     107,410       (153,497 )
Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net
    10,673       22,645       8,407       39,488  
Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables
    (33,809 )     537       (13,027 )     17,755  
Decrease (increase) in income taxes recoverable
    4,768       49,873       1,459       (7,433 )
Decrease (increase) in deferred tax asset
    3,956       (17,582 )     33,961       1,658  
Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums
    3,130       22,319       9,123       39,346  
Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
    (95,066 )     146,938       (267,230 )     693,385  
Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserve
    (574 )     (176 )     (919 )     (394 )
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums
    (186,162 )     (106,556 )     (173,569 )     (113,687 )
Increase (decrease) in other net payable to reinsurers
    30,025       (6,899 )     26,903       (29,583 )
Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships
    (15,972 )     (14,309 )     (28,492 )     (50,614 )
Change in other assets and liabilities, net
    92,669       (64,275 )     119,003       60,963  
Non-cash compensation expense
    7,652       4,212       13,374       7,658  
Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount)
    16,200       12,818       30,966       25,570  
Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes
    12       12       25       24  
Net realized capital (gains) losses
    16,580       4,845       (82,139 )     (7,311 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    138,772       150,640       304,510       338,746  
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value
    381,216       372,401       791,593       810,665  
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at fair value
    -       5,875       -       12,775  
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value
    203,240       336,770       421,318       867,680  
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value
    1,862       17,168       61,143       50,120  
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at market value
    34,549       110       54,792       27,206  
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value
    53,950       37,000       297,606       93,667  
Distributions from other invested assets
    12,798       40,535       21,017       127,094  
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value
    (641,902 )     (582,696 )     (1,254,576 )     (1,537,328 )
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at fair value
    (2,382 )     (7,148 )     (5,506 )     (15,224 )
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at market value
    (6,202 )     (28,683 )     (12,654 )     (115,811 )
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value
    (79,934 )     (213,658 )     (193,279 )     (342,300 )
Cost of other invested assets acquired
    (16,680 )     (27,544 )     (28,592 )     (52,102 )
Cost of businesses acquired
    -       -       -       (63,100 )
Net change in short-term investments
    (5,025 )     (130,222 )     (262,730 )     2,717  
Net change in unsettled securities transactions
    (32,856 )     175,061       5,966       47,201  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (97,366 )     (5,031 )     (103,902 )     (86,740 )
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Common shares issued during the period, net
    15,344       5,879       17,955       7,557  
Purchase of treasury shares
    (100,000 )     -       (224,999 )     (37,611 )
Revolving credit borrowings
    -       -       -       (10,000 )
Dividends paid to shareholders
    (25,129 )     (26,081 )     (50,770 )     (52,126 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (109,785 )     (20,202 )     (257,814 )     (92,180 )
                                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
    (4,817 )     1,969       7,406       (6,711 )
                                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    (73,196 )     127,376       (49,800 )     153,115  
Cash, beginning of period
    472,047       284,147       448,651       258,408  
Cash, end of period
  $ 398,851     $ 411,523     $ 398,851     $ 411,523  
                                 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                               
Income taxes paid (recovered)
  $ 12,617     $ (24,471 )   $ 23,801     $ (12,546 )
Interest paid
    20,387       20,259       26,085       25,778  
                                 
Non-cash transaction:
                               
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed from business acquisitions
    -       -       -       19,130  
Conversion of equity securities - available for sale, at market value, to fixed
                               
maturity securities - available for sale, at market value, including accrued
                               
interest at time of conversion
    92,981       -       92,981       -