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8-K - 8-K - Amtrust Financial Services, Inc.afsiq42015er8-k.htm


      
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2015 Operating Earnings Per Diluted Share(1)(2) of $0.72 and Net Income Per Diluted Share(2) of $0.37
Book Value Per Common Share(2) of $13.81, Up 24% Since December 31, 2014
Financial Highlights
Fourth Quarter 2015

Gross written premium of $1.61 billion, up 10% (14% excluding the impact of European currency fluctuations) compared to $1.46 billion in the fourth quarter 2014
Net earned premium of $1.06 billion, up 16% from $908.2 million in the fourth quarter 2014
Operating diluted EPS(1)(2) of $0.72 compared to $0.73 in the fourth quarter 2014
Diluted EPS(2) of $0.37 compared with $0.44 in the fourth quarter 2014
Annualized operating return on common equity(1) of 21.7% and annualized return on common equity of 11.2%
Service and fee income of $131.4 million, up 29% from $101.7 million in the fourth quarter 2014
Operating earnings(1) of $123.9 million compared to $118.5 million in the fourth quarter 2014
Net income attributable to common stockholders of $63.9 million compared to $71.6 million in the fourth quarter 2014
Combined ratio of 91.9% compared to 90.8% in the fourth quarter 2014
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding(2) of 172.0 million, up 6% compared to 162.1 million in the fourth quarter 2014

Full Year 2015

Gross written premium of $6.80 billion, up 12% (14% excluding the impact of European currency fluctuations) compared to $6.09 billion in 2014
Net earned premium of $4.02 billion, up 14% from $3.53 billion in 2014
Operating diluted EPS(1)(2) of $3.13 compared to $2.87 in 2014
Diluted EPS(2) of $2.80 compared with $2.72 in 2014
Operating return on common equity(1) of 25.3% and return on common equity of 22.7%
Service and fee income of $478.2 million, up 17% from $409.7 million in 2014
Operating earnings(1) of $526.7 million, up 15% compared to $458.4 million in 2014
Net income attributable to common stockholders of $472.0 million compared to $434.3 million in 2014
Combined ratio of 91.0% compared to 90.7% in 2014
Book value per common share(2) of $13.81, up 24% from $11.17 at December 31, 2014
AmTrust's stockholders' equity was $2.91 billion as of December 31, 2015, up 43% compared to $2.04 billion as of December 31, 2014
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding(2) of 168.4 million, up 6% compared to 159.0 million in 2014

NEW YORK, February 10, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFSI) ("the Company" or "AmTrust") today announced continued growth of operating earnings(1) and strong operating return on equity(1) for the fourth quarter and full year of 2015.
For the fourth quarter 2015, operating earnings(1) were $123.9 million, or $0.72 per diluted share(2) compared to $118.5 million, or $0.73 per diluted share(2), in the fourth quarter of 2014. Fourth quarter 2015 net income attributable to common stockholders was $63.9 million, or $0.37 per diluted share(2), compared to $71.6 million, or $0.44 per diluted share(2), in the fourth quarter 2014. Fourth quarter 2015 annualized operating return on common equity(1) was 21.7% compared to 27.7% in the fourth quarter 2014. Annualized return on common equity was 11.2% for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to 16.7% for the fourth quarter of 2014.

1



For 2015, operating earnings(1) were $526.7 million, or $3.13 per diluted share(2), an increase of 15%, compared to $458.4 million, or $2.87 per diluted share(2), in 2014. During 2015, net income attributable to common stockholders grew to $472.0 million, or $2.80 per diluted share(2), an increase of 9% from $434.3 million, or $2.72 per diluted share(2), in 2014. Operating return on common equity(1) for 2015 was 25.3% compared to 29.9% from 2014. Return on common equity for 2015 was 22.7% compared to 28.4% for 2014.
On December 15, 2015, the Company announced a two-for-one stock split to be implemented by way of a 100% stock dividend. The stock dividend was paid February 2, 2016. The shares began trading on a post-split basis on February 3, 2016. All per share information presented in this release has been updated to reflect the stock split.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Results
Total revenue was $1.21 billion, an increase of $0.16 billion, or 16%, from $1.05 billion in the fourth quarter 2014. Gross written premium was $1.61 billion, an increase of $0.15 billion, or 10%, from $1.46 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014. Fourth quarter 2015 gross written premium was negatively impacted by $49.3 million due to declines in European currencies compared to a $12.9 million negative impact to gross written premium in the fourth quarter 2014. Net written premium was $1.07 billion, an increase of $166.7 million, or 19%, compared to $898.5 million in the fourth quarter 2014. Net earned premium was $1.06 billion, an increase of $149.8 million, or 16%, from $908.2 million in the fourth quarter 2014. The combined ratio was 91.9% compared to 90.8% in fourth quarter 2014.
In the fourth quarter 2015, changes in currencies resulted in a non-cash increase in net income of $25.9 million, or $0.15 per diluted share(2), compared to a $34.4 million increase, or $0.21 diluted per share(2), in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Total service and fee income of $131.4 million increased $29.8 million, or 29%, from $101.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 and included $18.5 million from related parties in the fourth quarter 2015 compared with $16.4 million in the fourth quarter 2014.
Investment income, excluding net realized gains and losses, totaled $45.0 million, an increase of 25% from $35.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. In addition, fourth quarter 2015 results included net realized investment losses of $22.6 million, or $14.7 million after-tax, on certain fixed income and equity investments compared with net realized investment gains of $2.0 million, or $1.3 million after-tax, in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Loss and loss adjustment expense totaled $720.8 million in the fourth quarter 2015, compared to $587.5 million in the fourth quarter 2014, and resulted in a loss ratio of 68.1% compared with 64.7% for the fourth quarter 2014.
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expense of $251.1 million increased $14.4 million from $236.7 million for the fourth quarter 2014. The expense ratio was 23.8% compared to 26.1% for the fourth quarter 2014. Ceding commissions, primarily related to the reinsurance agreements with Maiden Holdings, Ltd. ("Maiden"), totaled $90.7 million, up 22% from $116.2 million in the fourth quarter 2014. During the three months ended December 31, 2015, AmTrust ceded $394.4 million of gross written premium and $415.7 million of earned premium to Maiden compared to $434.7 million of gross written premium and $392.5 million of earned premium ceded in the fourth quarter 2014.
Other expense of $153.3 million decreased $4.4 million, or 3%, from $157.7 million in the fourth quarter 2014. Other expense included a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $55.3 million and $61.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to our Luxembourg reinsurance companies.
The effective tax rate was 28.3%, compared to 16.3% in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Full Year 2015 Results
Total revenue was $4.66 billion, an increase of $580.0 million, or 14%, from $4.08 billion in 2014. Gross written premium was $6.80 billion, an increase of $711.6 million, or 12%, from $6.09 billion in 2014. 2015 gross written premium was negatively impacted by $155.6 million due to declines in European currencies compared to a positive impact of $31.2 million in 2014 due to increases in European currencies. Net written premium was $4.26 billion, an increase of $303.4 million, or 7.7%, from $3.96 billion in 2014. Net earned premium of $4.02 billion increased $495.2 million, or 14%, from $3.53 billion in 2014. The combined ratio was 91.0% compared to 90.7% in 2014.
Total service and fee income of $478.2 million increased $68.5 million, or 17%, from $409.7 million in 2014 and included $76.5 million from related parties in 2015 compared with $58.4 million in 2014.

2



Investment income, excluding net realized gains and losses, totaled $156.3 million, an increase of 19% from $131.6 million in 2014. In addition, 2015 results included net realized investment gains of $8.1 million, or $5.3 million after-tax, on certain fixed income and equity investments compared with net realized investment gains of $16.4 million, or $10.7 million after-tax, in 2014.
Loss and loss adjustment expense totaled $2.68 billion in 2015, compared to $2.34 billion in 2014, and resulted in a loss ratio of 66.7% compared with 66.4% for 2014.
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expense of $979.5 million increased $122.6 million from $856.9 million in 2014. The expense ratio was consistent at 24.3% in 2015 and 2014. Ceding commissions, primarily related to the reinsurance agreements with Maiden, totaled $564.2 million, up 39% from $405.1 million in 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2015, AmTrust ceded $1.90 billion of gross written premium and $1.72 billion of earned premium to Maiden compared to $1.59 billion of gross written premium and $1.38 billion of earned premium ceded in the same period of 2014.
Other expense of $466.8 million increased $30.4 million, or 7%, from $436.4 million in 2014. Other expense included a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $55.3 million and $61.5 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively related to our Luxembourg reinsurance companies.
Provision for income taxes were $66.3 million compared to $53.6 million for 2014. The effective tax rate was 12.0%, compared to 11.4% in 2014. The 2015 income tax provision reflects a favorable return to provision adjustment recognized in the third quarter 2015 in connection with the filing of the Company's 2014 federal income tax return. In addition, during the second quarter of 2015, the Company's income tax provision included a reduction in taxes due to an adjustment related to jurisdictional profitability associated with our international operations.
As of December 31, 2015, the Luxembourg reinsurance companies had deferred tax liabilities of $11.2 million and goodwill and intangible assets of $6.4 million, related to the Company's equalization reserves.

During 2015, the Company issued an aggregate of 8,450,000 shares of its common stock (or 16,900,000 split adjusted shares) in two separate underwritten public offerings, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $487 million. The common stock sales contributed to the Company's weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding, rising 9.4 million, or 6%, to 168.4 million common shares in 2015 compared to 159.0 million common shares in 2014.

Total assets of approximately $17.15 billion increased $3.30 billion, or 24%, from $13.85 billion at December 31, 2014. Total cash, cash equivalents and investments of $7.20 billion increased $1.54 billion, or 27%, from $5.66 billion as of December 31, 2014. AmTrust's stockholder's equity of $2.91 billion increased 43% from $2.04 billion at December 31, 2014.
As of December 31, 2015, the Company's debt-to-capitalization ratio was 25.8%, compared with 27.1% as of December 31, 2014.
During the three months ended December 31, 2015, the Board of Directors declared cash dividends totaling $0.30 per share (or $0.15 per split adjusted share) on its common stock and cash dividends on the following series of non-cumulative preferred stock:
Series
 
Rate
 
Dividend
A
 
6.750%
 
$0.421875
B
 
7.250%
 
$0.453125
C
 
7.625%
 
$0.476563
D
 
7.500%
 
$0.468750


3



Conference Call:
On February 10, 2016 at 10:00 AM ET, CEO & President Barry Zyskind and CFO Ron Pipoly will review these results and discuss business conditions 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
Conference ID: 32527556

Webcast registration: http://ir.amtrustgroup.com/events.cfm
A replay of the conference call will be available at approximately 1:00 PM ET Wednesday, February 10, 2016 through Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 11:59 PM ET. To listen to the replay, please dial (855) 859-2056 (within the U.S.) or (404) 537-3406 (outside the U.S.) and enter replay passcode 32527556, or access http://ir.amtrustgroup.com/events.cfm.
About AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., a multinational insurance holding company headquartered in New York City, offers specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, commercial automobile, general liability and extended service and warranty coverage through its primary insurance subsidiaries rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best. For more information about AmTrust, visit www.amtrustgroup.com, or call AmTrust toll-free at (855) 327-2223.
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. 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, the amounts, timing and prices of any share repurchases made by us under our share repurchase program, 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, our degree of success in integrating acquired businesses, the effect of general economic conditions, 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., National General Holding Corp., ACP Re, Ltd., or third party agencies and warranty administrators, breaches in data security or other disruptions involving our 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.
        
 
        
SVP Investor Relations
        
Elizabeth Malone, CFA
        
beth.malone@amtrustgroup.com
        
(646) 458-7924




4



 
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Income Statement
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,

Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
2015

2014

2015

2014
Gross written premium
 
$
1,609,199

 
$
1,459,648

 
$
6,799,537

 
$
6,087,965

 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net written premium
 
$
1,065,165

 
$
898,471

 
$
4,260,058

 
$
3,956,618

Change in unearned premium
 
(7,193
)
 
9,692

 
(238,331
)
 
(430,054
)
Net earned premium
 
1,057,972

 
908,163

 
4,021,727

 
3,526,564

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service and fee income
 
131,440

 
101,660

 
478,206

 
409,743

Net investment income
 
45,009

 
35,928

 
156,290

 
131,601

Net realized and unrealized (loss) gain on investments
 
(22,576
)
 
1,992

 
8,117

 
16,423

Other revenue
 
153,873

 
139,580

 
642,613

 
557,767

Total revenue
 
1,211,845

 
1,047,743

 
4,664,340

 
4,084,331

Loss and loss adjustment expense
 
720,846

 
587,464

 
2,682,208

 
2,342,619

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expense
 
251,100

 
236,742

 
979,502

 
856,923

Other expense
 
153,272

 
157,678

 
466,759

 
436,350

Total expense
 
1,125,218

 
981,884

 
4,128,469

 
3,635,892

Income before other income (expense), provision for income taxes, equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries and non-controlling interest
 
86,627

 
65,859

 
535,871

 
448,439

Other income (expense):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest expense
 
(15,289
)
 
(9,972
)
 
(48,052
)
 
(45,857
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 

 
(9,831
)
 
(5,271
)
 
(9,831
)
Gain on life settlement contracts net of profit commission
 
759

 
17,486

 
19,844

 
12,306

Foreign currency gain
 
25,905

 
34,419

 
43,260

 
60,245

Gain on acquisition
 

 

 
5,826

 

    Gain on sale of subsidiary
 

 

 

 
6,631

Total other income
 
11,375


32,102

 
15,607

 
23,494

Income before provision for income taxes, equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries and non-controlling interest
 
98,002

 
97,961

 
551,478

 
471,933

Provision for income taxes
 
27,706

 
15,940

 
66,341

 
53,686

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries (related parties)
 
2,337

 
1,504

 
25,385

 
28,351

Net income
 
72,633

 
83,525

 
510,522

 
446,598

Redeemable non-controlling interest and non-controlling interest
 
12

 
(6,613
)
 
(6,928
)
 
416

Net income attributable to AmTrust stockholders
 
$
72,645


$
76,912


$
503,594


$
447,014

Dividends on preferred stock
 
(8,793
)
 
(5,351
)
 
(31,590
)
 
(12,738
)
Net income attributable to AmTrust common stockholders
 
$
63,852


$
71,561


$
472,004


$
434,276

Operating earnings(1) attributable to AmTrust common stockholders
 
$
123,885

 
$
118,494

 
$
526,732

 
$
458,369

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

5



AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Income Statement
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,

Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
2015

2014

2015

2014
Earnings per common share:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic earnings per share (2)
 
$
0.38

 
$
0.47

 
$
2.86

 
$
2.89

Diluted earnings per share (2)
 
$
0.37

 
$
0.44

 
$
2.80

 
$
2.72

Operating diluted earnings per share (1)(2)
 
$
0.72

 
$
0.73

 
$
3.13

 
$
2.87

Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding (2)
 
168,878

 
152,036

 
165,042

 
149,866

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding (2)
 
171,979

 
162,124

 
168,360

 
159,034

Combined ratio
 
91.9
%
 
90.8
%
 
91.0
%
 
90.7
%
Return on equity
 
11.2
%
 
16.7
%
 
22.7
%
 
28.4
%
Operating return on equity (1)
 
21.7
%
 
27.7
%
 
25.3
%
 
29.9
%
Reconciliation of net realized gain (loss):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Other-than-temporary investment impairments
 
$
(9,037
)
 
$
(4,036
)
 
$
(19,155
)
 
$
(8,039
)
Impairments recognized in other comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 
 
(9,037
)
 
(4,036
)
 
(19,155
)
 
(8,039
)
Net realized (loss) gain on sale of investments
 
(13,539
)
 
6,028

 
27,272

 
24,462

Net realized (loss) gain
 
$
(22,576
)
 
$
1,992

 
$
8,117

 
$
16,423


  
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Balance Sheet Highlights
(in thousands, except book value per common share)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Cash, cash equivalents and investments
 
$
7,204,153

 
$
5,664,856

Premium receivables
 
2,115,653

 
1,851,682

Goodwill and intangible assets
 
800,045

 
667,681

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
 
7,208,367

 
5,664,205

Unearned premium
 
4,014,728

 
3,447,203

Trust preferred securities
 
123,714

 
123,714

Convertible senior notes
 
168,272

 
214,424

6.125% Senior notes
 
250,000

 
250,000

7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055
 
150,000

 

7.50% Subordinated Notes due 2055
 
135,000

 

Preferred stock
 
482,500

 
300,000

AmTrust's stockholders' equity
 
2,912,146

 
2,037,020

Book value per common share (2)
 
$
13.81

 
$
11.17

 










6



AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,

Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
2015

2014

2015
 
2014
Reconciliation of net income attributable to AmTrust common stockholders to operating earnings (1):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income attributable to AmTrust common stockholders
 
$
63,852

 
$
71,561

 
$
472,004

 
$
434,276

Less: Net realized (loss) gain on investments net of tax
 
(14,674
)
 
1,295

 
5,276

 
10,675

Non-cash amortization of intangible assets
 
(14,358
)
 
(8,880
)
 
(46,524
)
 
(33,543
)
Non-cash impairment of goodwill (3)
 
(55,304
)
 
(62,898
)
 
(55,304
)
 
(62,898
)
Non-cash interest on convertible senior notes net of tax
 
(1,602
)
 
(1,038
)
 
(5,978
)
 
(2,614
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 

 
(9,831
)
 
(5,271
)
 
(9,831
)
Foreign currency transaction gain
 
25,905

 
34,419

 
43,260

 
60,245

Gain resulting from decrease in ownership percentage of equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiary (related party) net of tax
 

 

 
6,026

 
9,563

Acquisition gain net of tax
 

 

 
3,787

 

Gain on sale of a subsidiary net of tax
 

 

 

 
4,310

Operating earnings (1) attributable to AmTrust common stockholders
 
$
123,885

 
$
118,494

 
$
526,732

 
$
458,369

Reconciliation of diluted earnings per share to diluted operating earnings per share (1)(2):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.37

 
$
0.44

 
$
2.80

 
$
2.72

Less: Net realized (loss) gain on investments net of tax
 
(0.09
)
 
0.01

 
0.03

 
0.07

Non-cash amortization of intangible assets
 
(0.08
)
 
(0.06
)
 
(0.28
)
 
(0.21
)
Non-cash impairment of goodwill (3)
 
(0.32
)
 
(0.38
)
 
(0.33
)
 
(0.39
)
Non-cash interest on convertible senior notes net of tax
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.04
)
 
(0.02
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 

 
(0.06
)
 
(0.03
)
 
(0.06
)
Foreign currency transaction gain
 
0.15

 
0.21

 
0.26

 
0.37

Gain resulting from decrease in ownership percentage of equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiary (related party) net of tax
 

 

 
0.04

 
0.06

Acquisition gain net of tax
 

 

 
0.02

 

Gain on sale of a subsidiary net of tax
 

 

 

 
0.03

Operating diluted earnings per share (1)(2)
 
$
0.72

 
$
0.73

 
$
3.13

 
$
2.87

Reconciliation of return on common equity to operating return on common equity:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Return on common equity
 
11.2
 %
 
16.7
 %
 
22.7
 %
 
28.4
 %
Less: Net realized (loss) gain on investments net of tax
 
(2.6
)%
 
0.3
 %
 
0.2
 %
 
0.7
 %
Non-cash amortization of intangible assets
 
(2.5
)%
 
(2.1
)%
 
(2.2
)%
 
(2.1
)%
Non-cash impairment of goodwill (3)
 
(9.6
)%
 
(14.8
)%
 
(2.7
)%
 
(4.0
)%
Non-cash interest on convertible senior notes net of tax
 
(0.3
)%
 
(0.2
)%
 
(0.3
)%
 
(0.2
)%
Loss on extinguishment of debt net of tax
 
 %
 
(2.3
)%
 
(0.2
)%
 
(0.6
)%
Foreign currency transaction gain
 
4.5
 %
 
8.1
 %
 
2.1
 %
 
3.8
 %
Gain resulting from decrease in ownership percentage of equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiary (related party) net of tax
 
 %
 
 %
 
0.3
 %
 
0.6
 %
Acquisition gain net of tax
 
 %
 
 %
 
0.2
 %
 
 %
Gain on sale of a subsidiary net of tax
 
 %
 
 %
 
 %
 
0.3
 %
Operating return on common equity (1)
 
21.7
 %
 
27.7
 %
 
25.3
 %
 
29.9
 %

7



 
(1)
References to operating earnings, operating diluted EPS, and operating return on common equity are non-GAAP financial measures. Operating earnings ("Operating Earnings") is defined by the Company as net income attributable to AmTrust common stockholders less after-tax realized gain (loss) on investments, non-cash amortization of intangible assets, non-cash impairment of goodwill, non-cash interest on convertible senior notes, net of tax, loss on extinguishment of debt, foreign currency transaction gain (loss), gain resulting from a decrease in the ownership percentage of an equity investment in an unconsolidated subsidiary (related party), net of tax, acquisition gain, net of tax and gain on sale of a subsidiary net of tax. Operating Earnings should not be considered an alternative to net income. Operating diluted earnings per share is defined by the Company as Operating Earnings divided by the weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the period and should not be considered an alternative to diluted earnings per share. Operating return on common equity is defined by the Company as Operating Earnings divided by the average common equity for the period and should not be considered an alternative to return on common equity. The Company believes Operating Earnings, operating diluted earnings per share, and operating return on common equity are more relevant measures of the Company's profitability because Operating Earnings, operating diluted earnings per share, and operating return on common equity contain the components of net income upon which the Company's management has the most influence and excludes factors outside management's direct control and non-recurring items. The Company's measure of Operating Earnings, operating diluted earnings per share, and operating return on common equity may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
(2)
On December 15, 2015, the Company announced a two-for-one stock split on its outstanding common stock. The stock split occurred on February 2, 2016 based on the shareholders of record at the close of business on January 19, 2016. As a result of this stock split, all weighted average shares outstanding, earnings per share amounts and book value per share contained herein have been adjusted to reflect the stock split.
(3)
The non-cash goodwill impairment charges relate to equalization reserves for the Company's Luxembourg reinsurance entities.


8




AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Segment Information
(in thousands, except percentages)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Gross written premium
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Small Commercial Business
 
$
746,048

 
$
633,263

 
$
3,320,650

 
$
2,999,714

Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
 
630,904

 
595,401

 
2,158,921

 
1,983,052

Specialty Program
 
232,247

 
230,984

 
1,319,966

 
1,105,199

 
 
$
1,609,199

 
$
1,459,648

 
$
6,799,537

 
$
6,087,965

Net written premium
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Small Commercial Business
 
$
432,178

 
$
356,036

 
$
1,932,100

 
$
1,882,383

Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
 
475,744

 
400,502

 
1,450,817

 
1,333,747

Specialty Program
 
157,243

 
141,933

 
877,141

 
740,488

 
 
$
1,065,165

 
$
898,471

 
$
4,260,058

 
$
3,956,618

Net earned premium
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Small Commercial Business
 
$
486,176

 
$
417,820

 
$
1,886,880

 
$
1,606,805

Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
 
341,555

 
311,089

 
1,305,036

 
1,232,238

Specialty Program
 
230,241

 
179,254

 
829,811

 
678,612

Corporate and Other
 

 

 

 
8,909

 
 
$
1,057,972

 
$
908,163

 
$
4,021,727

 
$
3,526,564

Loss Ratio:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Small Commercial Business
 
66.8
%
 
63.0
%
 
65.4
%
 
65.7
%
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
 
68.9
%
 
64.1
%
 
67.6
%
 
66.4
%
Specialty Program
 
69.8
%
 
65.8
%
 
68.2
%
 
67.3
%
Total
 
68.1
%
 
64.7
%
 
66.7
%
 
66.4
%
Expense Ratio:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Small Commercial Business
 
24.9
%
 
28.2
%
 
25.8
%
 
25.9
%
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
 
19.8
%
 
22.0
%
 
20.3
%
 
20.6
%
Specialty Program
 
27.2
%
 
28.0
%
 
27.5
%
 
27.0
%
Total
 
23.8
%
 
26.1
%
 
24.3
%
 
24.3
%
Combined Ratio:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Small Commercial Business
 
91.7
%
 
91.2
%
 
91.2
%
 
91.6
%
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
 
88.7
%
 
86.1
%
 
87.9
%
 
87.0
%
Specialty Program
 
97.0
%
 
93.8
%
 
95.7
%
 
94.3
%
Total
 
91.9
%
 
90.8
%
 
91.0
%
 
90.7
%


9