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8-K - 8-K - Employers Holdings, Inc.earningsrelease8k2015_1231.htm


Exhibit 99.1
news release
For Immediate Release
Employers Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Results and Announces a $50 Million Share Repurchase Program and a 50% Increase in the First Quarter 2016 Cash Dividend
Reno, Nevada-February 17, 2016-Employers Holdings, Inc. (“EHI” or the “Company”) (NYSE:EIG) today reported operating income for the fourth quarter and full year 2015 of $34.3 million and $81.3 million, or $1.05 and $2.50 per diluted share, respectively, and announced a $50 million share repurchase program and a 50% increase in the first quarter 2016 cash dividend to $0.09 per share.
Financial Highlights(1)
(in millions, except per share amounts and percentages)
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Net written premiums
$
162.6

 
$
149.3

 
9
 %
 
 
$
689.3

 
$
687.6

 
 %
 
Total revenues
$
184.5

 
$
192.6

 
(4
)%
 
 
$
752.1

 
$
773.5

 
(3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
$
34.3

 
$
13.0

 
164
 %
 
 
$
81.3

 
$
35.6

 
128
 %
 
Operating income per diluted share
$
1.05

 
$
0.40

 
163
 %
 
 
$
2.50

 
$
1.11

 
125
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income before the impact of the LPT(2)
$
23.9

 
$
14.2

 
68
 %
 
 
$
74.0

 
$
45.7

 
62
 %
 
Net income before the impact of the LPT per diluted share(2)
$
0.73

 
$
0.44

 
66
 %
 
 
$
2.27

 
$
1.43

 
59
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
26.7

 
$
29.1

 
(8
)%
 
 
$
94.4

 
$
100.7

 
(6
)%
 
Net income per diluted share
$
0.82

 
$
0.91

 
(10
)%
 
 
$
2.90

 
$
3.14

 
(8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
32,747,809

 
32,143,130

 
2
 %
 
 
32,561,453

 
32,069,069

 
2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio before the impact of the LPT
93.0
%
 
102.2
%
 
(9.2
)
pts
 
97.1
%
 
105.0
%
 
(7.9
)
pts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating return on equity
16.1
%
 
6.7
%
 
9.4

pts
 
9.8
%
 
4.7
%
 
5.1

pts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-over-Year Change
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2015
 
2014
Book value per share(3)
$
29.50

 
$
28.38

 
$
26.13

 
4
%
 
9
%
Adjusted book value per share (4)
$
26.90

 
$
24.99

 
$
23.24

 
8
%
 
8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) See Glossary of Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP for additional definitions and calculations.
(2) The Loss Portfolio Transfer (“LPT”) Agreement was a non-recurring transaction that does not result in ongoing cash benefits.
(3) Book value per share is stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain divided by the number of common shares outstanding.
(4) Adjusted book value per share is book value less accumulated other comprehensive income, net, divided by the number of common shares outstanding.





Operational Highlights
Operating income increased $21.3 million and $45.7 million, or $0.65 and $1.40 per diluted share, for the quarter and full year, respectively, year-over-year.
Operating return on equity increased 9.4 and 5.1 percentage points for the quarter and full year to 16.1% and 9.8%, respectively.
Operating earnings benefited from favorable prior year reserve development of $8.5 million and $7.2 million for the quarter and full year, respectively.
Income taxes were reduced by $11.5 million and $15.3 million for the quarter and the full year, respectively, due to pre-privatization reserve adjustments.
Combined ratio before the LPT of 93.0% and 97.1% for the quarter and full year, respectively, down 9.2 and 7.9 percentage points, respectively, year over year.
Fourth quarter and full year 2015 current accident year loss estimates of 64.5% and 66.2%, respectively, compared to 72.2% and 73.6%, respectively, for the prior year.
In-force payroll exposure increased 1.4% overall, while exposure in California declined 5.7% year-over-year. In-force policies declined 0.9% overall and 6.4% in California year-over-year. Net rate decreased 2.7% overall and increased 0.7% in California year-over-year.
Net earned premiums increased 5.3% in the quarter and 0.9% for the full year, driven primarily by higher final audit premiums year-over-year.
Net investment income increased $0.5 million and decreased $0.2 million, to $18.4 million and $72.2 million, for the quarter and full year, respectively, year-over-year.
Net realized losses of $15.8 million in the quarter and $10.7 million in the full year, largely driven by other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities due to a continued downturn in the energy and commodity sectors.
The Company commented:
“We strengthened our performance throughout 2015 and we are pleased to report our best operating results in the fourth quarter and the full year since 2007. We achieved an annualized operating return on equity of 16.1% in the fourth quarter and 9.8% in the full year, representing a 9.4 and 5.1 percentage point increase in the quarter and full year, respectively, year-over-year. Our underwriting profitability, measured by the combined ratio before the LPT, improved 9.2 percentage points in the quarter and 7.9 points in the full year relative to 2014 and our adjusted book value per share increased 8% year-over-year.”
“We recognized $9.0 million in favorable prior accident year development in our voluntary business. Redundancies in pre-privatization accident years were reallocated to more recent accident years producing tax benefits in the fourth quarter and the full year; we believe these adjustments encompass the estimated redundancies remaining in the non-LPT accident years prior to 2000. Our progress in non-renewing under-performing business, earlier settlement of claims, our pricing and data-driven underwriting strategies, and in targeting profitable classes of business across our markets, has resulted in historically high levels of operating profitability.”
“Consistent with our goal to create shareholder value over the longer term and in light of our strong financial position and operating performance, we are pleased to announce capital actions, authorized by our Board of Directors, which allow the further return of capital to shareholders, including a 50% increase in our quarterly cash dividend and a new, two-year $50 million share repurchase program. These actions reflect the continued confidence of management and the Board in the strength of our balance sheet, our underwriting results and our ongoing commitment to maximize shareholder value.”
Capital Actions
Today, EHI announced that the Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase program that enables the Company to purchase up to $50 million of its outstanding common stock over a period of two years beginning February 22, 2016.
Repurchases under the Company’s new program will be made in the open market or privately negotiated transactions in compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules, subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements, and other relevant factors. This share repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock, and it may be suspended at any time at the Company’s discretion. The Company had approximately 32.2 million common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2015.





The Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2016 dividend of $0.09 per share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2016 to stockholders of record as of March 1, 2016. The first quarter dividend represents a 50% increase over the previous quarterly rate of $0.06 per share.
Conference Call and Web Cast; Form 10-K, Supplemental Materials
The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. The conference call will be available via a live web cast on the Company's web site at www.employers.com. An archived version will be available following the call. The conference call replay number is (800) 585-8367 or (855) 859-2056 with a pass code of 34150471.
EHI expects to file its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) later this week. The Form 10-K will be available without charge through the EDGAR system at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov, and will also be posted on the Company's website, www.employers.com, through the “Investors” link.
The Company provides a list of portfolio securities in the Calendar of Events, Fourth Quarter “Investors” section of its web site at www.employers.com. The Company also provides investor presentations on its website.
Forward-Looking Statements
In this press release, the Company and its management discuss and make statements based on currently available information regarding their intentions, beliefs, current expectations, and projections of, among other things, redundancies in pre-privatization accident years, expectations regarding share repurchases and statements regarding financial position and operating performance. Certain of these statements may constitute "forward-looking" statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and are often identified by words such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "target," "project," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "pro forma," "seek," "likely," or "continue," or other comparable terminology and their negatives. EHI and its management caution investors that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Risks and uncertainties are inherent in EHI's future performance. Factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, among other things, those discussed or identified from time to time in EHI's public filings with the SEC, including the risks detailed in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Except as required by applicable securities laws, 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.
The SEC filings for EHI can be accessed through the “Investors” link on the Company's website, www.employers.com, or through the SEC's EDGAR Database at www.sec.gov (EHI EDGAR CIK No. 0001379041).
CONTACT:
Media: Ty Vukelich, (775) 327-2677, tvukelich@employers.com.
Analysts: Vicki Erickson Mills, (775) 327-2794, vericksonmills@employers.com.
© 2016 EMPLOYERS. All rights reserved. EMPLOYERS® and America's small business insurance specialist® are registered trademarks of Employers Insurance Company of Nevada. Insurance is offered through Employers Compensation Insurance Company, Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Preferred Insurance Company, and Employers Assurance Company. Not all insurers do business in all jurisdictions.





Employers Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross premiums written
 
$
164,600

 
$
151,600

 
$
697,700

 
$
697,700

Net premiums written
 
$
162,600

 
$
149,300

 
$
689,300

 
$
687,600

Net premiums earned
 
$
181,800


$
172,600


$
690,400


$
684,500

Net investment income
 
18,400

 
17,900

 
72,200

 
72,400

Net realized (losses) gains on investments
 
(15,800
)
 
2,000

 
(10,700
)
 
16,300

Other income
 
100

 
100

 
200

 
300

Total revenues
 
184,500

 
192,600

 
752,100

 
773,500

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
105,900


110,200


429,400


453,400

Commission expense
 
22,800


20,400


85,400


81,400

Underwriting and other operating expenses
 
37,600


30,900


135,200


129,100

Interest expense
 
600

 
700

 
2,700

 
3,000

Total expenses
 
166,900

 
162,200

 
652,700

 
666,900

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income before income taxes
 
17,600

 
30,400

 
99,400

 
106,600

Income tax (benefit) expense
 
(9,100
)
 
1,300

 
5,000

 
5,900

Net income
 
$
26,700


$
29,100


$
94,400


$
100,700

Less impact of the LPT Agreement:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of Deferred Gain related to losses
 
2,300

 
2,600

 
9,500

 
11,200

Amortization of Deferred Gain related to contingent commission
 
500

 
500

 
1,900

 
1,900

Impact of the LPT Reserve Adjustments
 

 
8,800

 
6,400

 
31,100

Impact of the LPT Contingent Commission Adjustments
 

 
3,000

 
2,600

 
10,800

Net income before LPT Agreement
 
$
23,900

 
$
14,200

 
$
74,000

 
$
45,700

Comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains (losses) during the period (net of taxes of $(16,300) and $14,600 for the periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)
 
$
(3,800
)
 
$
6,600

 
$
(30,300
)
 
$
27,100

Reclassification adjustment for realized (losses) gains in net income (net of taxes of $(3,700) and $5,700 for the periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014)
 
10,300

 
(1,300
)
 
7,000

 
(10,600
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
6,500

 
5,300

 
(23,300
)
 
16,500

Total comprehensive income
 
$
33,200

 
$
34,400

 
$
71,100

 
$
117,200






Employers Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
As of
 
As of
(in thousands, except share data)
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Assets
 
 
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities at fair value (amortized cost $2,221,100 at December 31, 2015 and $2,186,100 at December 31, 2014)
 
$
2,288,500

 
$
2,275,700

Equity securities at fair value (cost $137,500 at December 31, 2015 and $97,800 at December 31, 2014)
 
198,700

 
172,700

Total investments
 
2,487,200

 
2,448,400

Cash and cash equivalents
 
56,600

 
103,600

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
2,500

 
10,800

Accrued investment income
 
20,600

 
20,500

Premiums receivable, less bad debt allowance of $12,200 at December 31, 2015 and $7,900 at December 31, 2014
 
301,100

 
295,800

Reinsurance recoverable for:
 
 
 
 
Paid losses
 
7,700

 
10,700

Unpaid losses, including bad debt allowance
 
628,200

 
669,500

Deferred policy acquisition costs
 
44,300

 
44,600

Deferred income taxes, net
 
67,900

 
49,700

Property and equipment, net
 
24,900

 
21,000

Intangible assets, net
 
8,500

 
9,000

Goodwill
 
36,200

 
36,200

Contingent commission receivable–LPT Agreement
 
29,200

 
26,400

Other assets
 
40,900

 
23,500

Total assets
 
$
3,755,800

 
$
3,769,700

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
 
 
 
Claims and policy liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
$
2,347,500

 
$
2,369,700

Unearned premiums
 
308,900

 
310,800

Total claims and policy liabilities
 
2,656,400

 
2,680,500

Commissions and premium taxes payable
 
52,500

 
46,300

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
24,100

 
20,400

Deferred reinsurance gain–LPT Agreement
 
189,500


207,000

Notes payable
 
32,000

 
92,000

Other liabilities
 
40,500

 
36,700

Total liabilities
 
$
2,995,000

 
$
3,082,900

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 55,589,454 and 54,866,802 shares issued and 32,216,480 and 31,493,828 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively
 
$
600

 
$
600

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
 

 

Additional paid-in capital
 
357,200

 
346,600

Retained earnings
 
682,000

 
595,300

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
 
83,600

 
106,900

Treasury stock, at cost (23,372,974 shares at December 31, 2015 and 2014)
 
(362,600
)
 
(362,600
)
Total stockholders’ equity
 
760,800

 
686,800

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
3,755,800

 
$
3,769,700






Employers Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Operating activities
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
94,400

 
$
100,700

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
8,300

 
7,000

Stock-based compensation
 
4,600

 
6,000

Amortization of premium on investments, net
 
12,800

 
10,600

Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
4,300

 
800

Deferred income tax benefit
 
(5,600
)
 
(500
)
Net realized gains on investments
 
10,700

 
(16,300
)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
 
(1,200
)
 
(1,200
)
Other
 
100

 
(300
)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 

 
 
Premiums receivable
 
(9,600
)
 
(17,600
)
Reinsurance recoverable for paid and unpaid losses
 
44,300

 
71,300

Federal income taxes recoverable
 
(3,900
)
 
6,500

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
(22,200
)
 
39,200

Unearned premiums
 
(1,900
)
 
6,800

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
8,600

 
12,800

Deferred reinsurance gain-LPT Agreement
 
(17,500
)
 
(42,100
)
Contingent commission receivable–LPT Agreement
 
(2,800
)
 
(1,300
)
Other
 
(7,000
)
 
(10,500
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
116,400

 
171,900

Investing activities
 
 
 
 
Purchase of fixed maturity securities
 
(476,900
)
 
(378,000
)
Purchase of equity securities
 
(85,100
)
 
(29,500
)
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturity securities
 
105,400

 
47,900

Proceeds from sale of equity securities
 
34,700

 
36,500

Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments
 
323,900

 
251,100

Capital expenditures and other
 
(11,500
)
 
(10,500
)
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
8,300

 
(4,200
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(101,200
)
 
(86,700
)
Financing activities
 
 
 
 
Cash transactions related to stock-based compensation
 
4,800

 
1,600

Dividends paid to stockholders
 
(7,700
)
 
(7,600
)
Payments on notes payable and capital leases
 
(60,500
)
 
(11,300
)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
 
1,200

 
1,200

Net cash used in financing activities
 
(62,200
)
 
(16,100
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
(47,000
)
 
69,100

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
 
103,600

 
34,500

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
 
$
56,600

 
$
103,600







Glossary of Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP
The Company uses the following measures to evaluate its financial performance for the periods presented. Certain measures are considered non-GAAP financial measures under applicable SEC rules and include or exclude certain items not ordinarily included or excluded in the most comparable GAAP financial measures.
These non-GAAP financial measures exclude impacts related to the LPT Agreement deferred reinsurance gain. The 1999 LPT Agreement was a non-recurring transaction that does not result in ongoing cash benefits and, consequently, the Company believes these non-GAAP measures are useful in providing stockholders and management a meaningful understanding of the Company's operating performance. Some of these measures also exclude net realized gains, net of taxes, and/or accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes, and amortization of intangibles, net of taxes. Management believes these are important indicators of how well the Company creates value for its stockholders through its operating activities and capital management. These measures, as defined, are helpful to management in identifying trends in the Company's performance because the items excluded have limited significance in current and ongoing operations or can be impacted by both discretionary and other economic factors and may not represent operating trends.
The Company strongly urges stockholders and other interested persons not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate its business. The non-GAAP measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures and investors should be careful when comparing the Company's non-GAAP financial measures to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Other companies may calculate these measures differently, and, therefore, these measures may not be comparable. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures are provided in the following discussion.
Net Income before impact of the LPT Agreement is net income less (a) amortization of deferred reinsurance gainLPT Agreement; (b) adjustments to LPT Agreement ceded reserves; and (c) adjustments to contingent commission receivableLPT Agreement.
Operating income is net income before the impact of the LPT excluding net realized gains on investments, net of taxes, and amortization of intangibles, net of taxes.
Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Income Before Impact of the LPT and Operating Income
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
(in millions)
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
 
$
26.7

 
$
29.1

Less: Impact of the LPT Agreement
 
2.8

 
14.9

Net income before impact of the LPT
 
23.9

 
14.2

Less: Net realized (losses) gains on investments, net of taxes
 
(10.3
)
 
1.3

Plus: Amortization of intangibles, net of taxes
 
0.1

 
0.1

Operating income
 
$
34.3

 
$
13.0

 
 
Years Ended
 
 
December 31,
(in millions)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
Net income
 
$
94.4

 
$
100.7

 
$
63.8

 
Less: Impact of the LPT Agreement
 
20.4

 
55.0

 
37.9

 
Net income before impact of the LPT
 
74.0

 
45.7

 
25.9

 
Less: Net realized (losses) gains on investments, net of taxes
 
(7.0
)
 
10.6

 
6.2

 
Plus: Amortization of intangibles, net of taxes
 
0.3

 
0.5

 
0.6

 
Operating income
 
$
81.3

 
$
35.6

 
$
20.3

 






Reconciliation of Net Income per Share to Operating Income per Share
 
Three Months Ended
 
Years Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
32,279,494

 
31,596,435

 
32,070,911

 
31,529,621

Diluted
32,747,809

 
32,143,130

 
32,561,453

 
32,069,069

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
0.83

 
$
0.92

 
$
2.94

 
$
3.19

Less: Impact of the LPT Agreement
0.09

 
0.47

 
0.63

 
1.74

Net income before the impact of the LPT
0.74

 
0.45

 
2.31

 
1.45

Less: Net realized (losses) gains on investments, net of taxes
(0.32
)
 
0.04

 
(0.22
)
 
0.34

Plus: Amortization of intangibles, net of taxes

 

 
0.01

 
0.02

Operating income per basic share
$
1.06

 
$
0.41

 
$
2.54

 
$
1.13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
0.82

 
$
0.91

 
$
2.90

 
$
3.14

Less: Impact of the LPT Agreement
0.09

 
0.47

 
0.63

 
1.71

Net income before the impact of the LPT
0.73

 
0.44

 
2.27

 
1.43

Less: Net realized (losses) gains on investments, net of taxes
(0.31
)
 
0.04

 
(0.21
)
 
0.33

Plus: Amortization of intangibles, net of taxes
0.01

 

 
0.02

 
0.01

Operating income per diluted share
$
1.05

 
$
0.40

 
$
2.50

 
$
1.11

Deferred reinsurance gain–LPT Agreement (Deferred Gain) reflects the unamortized gain from the LPT Agreement. Under GAAP, this gain is deferred and amortized using the recovery method, whereby the amortization is determined by the proportion of actual reinsurance recoveries to total estimated recoveries, except for the contingent profit commission, which is amortized through June 30, 2024. The amortization is reflected in losses and LAE.
Stockholders' Equity Including the Deferred Gain is stockholders' equity including the Deferred reinsurance gain–LPT Agreement.
Average Stockholders' Equity Including the Deferred Gain is the sum of stockholders' equity including the deferred gain at the beginning and end of each of the periods presented divided by two.
Average stockholders' equity is the sum of stockholders' equity at the beginning and end of each of the periods presented divided by two.
Adjusted stockholders' equity is stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain, less accumulated other comprehensive income, net.
Average adjusted stockholders' equity is the average of stockholders' equity including the deferred reinsurance gain-LPT Agreement, less accumulated other comprehensive income, net, for all quarters included in the calculation.
Book value per share is stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain divided by the number of common shares outstanding.
Adjusted book value per share is adjusted stockholders' equity divided by the number of common shares outstanding.
GAAP book value per share is stockholders' equity divided by the number of common shares outstanding.





Reconciliation of Stockholders' Equity to Stockholders' Equity Including the Deferred Gain and Adjusted Stockholders' Equity
 
 
Years Ended
 
 
December 31,
(in millions, except share data)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Stockholders' equity
 
$
760.8

 
$
686.8

 
$
568.7

 
$
539.4

Deferred reinsurance gain–LPT Agreement
 
189.5

 
207.0

 
249.1

 
281.0

Stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain
 
950.3

 
893.8

 
817.8

 
820.4

Less: Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
 
83.6

 
106.9

 
90.4

 
129.5

Adjusted stockholders' equity
 
$
866.7

 
$
786.9

 
$
727.4

 
$
690.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common shares outstanding
 
32,216,480

 
31,493,828

 
31,299,930

 
30,771,479

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Book value per share
 
$
29.50

 
$
28.38

 
$
26.13

 
$
26.66

Adjusted book value per share
 
26.90

 
24.99

 
23.24

 
22.45

GAAP book value per share
 
23.62

 
21.81

 
18.17

 
17.53

Operating return on equity is the ratio of annualized operating income to adjusted average stockholders' equity for the periods presented.
Adjusted return on equity is the ratio of annualized net income before the LPT to average stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain.
Return on equity is the ratio of annualized net income to average stockholders' equity for the periods presented.
Reconciliation of Operating Return on Equity and Adjusted Return on Equity to Return on Equity
 
Three Months Ended
 
Years Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
(in millions, except for percentages)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Annualized operating income
$
137.2

 
$
52.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
 
 
 
81.3

 
$
35.6

 
$
20.3

Average adjusted stockholders' equity
854.0

 
778.3

 
826.8

 
757.2

 
709.2

Operating return on equity
16.1
%
 
6.7
%
 
9.8
%
 
4.7
%
 
2.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annualized net income before impact of the LPT
$
95.6

 
$
56.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income before impact of the LPT
 
 
 
 
74.0

 
$
45.7

 
$
25.9

Average stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain
934.4

 
882.6

 
922.1

 
855.8

 
819.1

Adjusted return on equity
10.2
%

6.4
%
 
8.0
%
 
5.3
%
 
3.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annualized net income
$
106.8

 
$
116.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
 
 
 
$
94.4

 
$
100.7

 
$
63.8

Average stockholders' equity
743.4

 
669.7

 
723.8

 
627.8

 
554.1

Return on equity
14.4
%
 
17.4
%
 
13.0
%
 
16.0
%
 
11.5
%






Calculation of Combined Ratio before the Impact of the LPT Agreement and Reconciliation to Current Accident Period Combined Ratio
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
(in millions, except for percentages)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Net premiums earned
 
$
181.8

 
$
172.6

 
$
690.4

 
$
684.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
$
105.9

 
$
110.2

 
$
429.4

 
$
453.4

Loss & LAE ratio
 
58.3
%
 
63.8
 %
 
62.2
%
 
66.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of Deferred Gain related to losses
 
$
2.3

 
$
2.6

 
$
9.5

 
$
11.2

Amortization of Deferred Gain related to contingent commission
 
0.5

 
0.5

 
1.9

 
1.9

LPT Reserve Adjustments
 

 
8.8

 
6.4

 
31.1

LPT Contingent Commission Adjustments
 

 
3.0

 
2.6

 
10.8

Loss & LAE before impact of LPT
 
$
108.7

 
$
125.1

 
$
449.8

 
$
508.4

Impact of LPT
 
1.5
%
 
8.7
 %
 
3.0
%
 
8.0
 %
Loss & LAE ratio before impact of LPT
 
59.8
%
 
72.5
 %

65.2
%
 
74.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commission expense
 
$
22.8

 
$
20.4

 
$
85.4

 
$
81.4

Commission expense ratio
 
12.5
%
 
11.8
 %
 
12.4
%
 
11.9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting & other operating expenses
 
$
37.6

 
$
30.9

 
$
135.2

 
$
129.1

Underwriting & other operating expenses ratio
 
20.7
%
 
17.9
 %
 
19.5
%
 
18.9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total expenses
 
$
166.3

 
$
161.5

 
$
650.0

 
$
663.9

Combined ratio
 
91.5
%
 
93.6
 %
 
94.1
%
 
97.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total expense before impact of the LPT
 
$
169.1

 
$
176.4

 
$
670.4

 
$
718.9

Combined ratio before the impact of the LPT
 
93.0
%
 
102.2
 %
 
97.1
%
 
105.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliations to Current Accident Period Combined Ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses & LAE before impact of LPT
 
$
108.7

 
$
125.1

 
$
449.8

 
$
508.4

Plus: Favorable (unfavorable) prior period reserve development
 
8.5

 
(0.5
)
 
7.2

 
(4.6
)
Accident period losses & LAE before impact of LPT
 
$
117.2

 
$
124.6

 
$
457.0

 
$
503.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses & LAE ratio before impact of LPT
 
59.8
%
 
72.5
 %
 
65.2
%
 
74.3
 %
Plus: Favorable (unfavorable) prior period reserve development ratio
 
4.7

 
(0.3
)
 
1.0

 
(0.7
)
Accident period losses & LAE ratio before impact of LPT
 
64.5
%
 
72.2
 %
 
66.2
%
 
73.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio before impact of the LPT
 
93.0
%
 
102.2
 %
 
97.1
%
 
105.0
 %
Plus: Favorable (unfavorable) prior period reserve development ratio
 
4.7

 
(0.3
)
 
1.0

 
(0.7
)
Accident period combined ratio before impact of LPT
 
97.7
%
 
101.9
 %
 
98.1
%
 
104.3
 %
Gross Premiums Written. Gross premiums written is the sum of both direct premiums written and assumed premiums written before the effect of ceded reinsurance. Direct premiums written represents the premiums on all policies the Company's insurance subsidiaries have issued during the year. Assumed premiums written represents the premiums that the insurance subsidiaries have received from an authorized state-mandated pool.
Net Premiums Written. Net premiums written is the sum of direct premiums written and assumed premiums written less ceded premiums written. Ceded premiums written is the portion of direct premiums written that are ceded to reinsurers under reinsurance contracts. The Company uses net premiums written, primarily in relation to gross premiums written, to measure the amount of business retained after cession to reinsurers.
Losses and LAE before impact of the LPT Agreement. Losses and LAE includes (i) amortization of deferred reinsurance gain-LPT Agreement (ii) adjustments to LPT Agreement ceded reserves and (iii) adjustments to the contingent profit commission.





Losses and LAE Ratio. The losses and LAE ratio is a measure of underwriting profitability. Expressed as a percentage, it is the ratio of losses and LAE to net premiums earned.
Commission Expense Ratio. Commission expense ratio is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of commission expense to net premiums earned.
Underwriting and Other Operating Expense Ratio. The underwriting and other operating expense ratio is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of underwriting and other operating expense to net premiums earned.
Combined Ratio. The combined ratio represents a summary percentage of claims and expenses to net premiums earned. The combined ratio is the sum of the losses and LAE ratio, the commission expense ratio, the policyholder dividends ratio and the underwriting and other operating expense ratio.
Combined Ratio before impact of the LPT Agreement. Combined ratio before impact of the LPT Agreement is the GAAP combined ratio before (i) amortization of deferred reinsurance gain-LPT Agreement (ii) adjustments to LPT Agreement ceded reserves and (iii) adjustments to the contingent profit commission.
Book value per share. Equity including deferred reinsurance gain-LPT Agreement divided by number of shares outstanding.
Net rate. Net rate, defined as total premium in-force divided by total insured payroll exposure, is a function of a variety of factors, including rate changes, underwriting risk profiles and pricing, and changes in business mix related to economic and competitive pressures.