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| 8-K - 8-K - Conifer Holdings, Inc. | a8-k20171stqearnings.htm |
News Release
For Further Information:
Jessica Gulis, 248.559.0840
ir@cnfrh.com
For Immediate Release
Conifer Holdings Reports 2017 First Quarter Financial Results
Company to Host Conference Call at 8:30 AM ET on Thursday, May 11, 2017
Birmingham, MI, May 10, 2017 - Conifer Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNFR) (“Conifer” or the
“Company”) today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.
First Quarter 2017 Highlights (all comparisons to prior year period)
• Gross written premiums increased 4.3% to $26.5 million; driven by a 13.1% increase in core
commercial lines growth offset by lower personal lines premiums
• Net earned premiums increased 20% to $24.1 million
• Combined ratio was 109.1%, compared to 112.2% in the prior year period and 118.7% in the
fourth quarter of 2016
• Net loss of $1.8 million, or $0.24 per diluted share
Management Comments
James Petcoff, Chairman and CEO, commented, “For the first quarter of 2017, our efforts remain
focused on growth in our core underwriting markets where we reported a 13.1% increase in gross
written premiums for our commercial lines of business. This growth originated primarily from
Conifer’s specialty niche insurance products such as liquor liability, security guards, and quick
service restaurants. We are now expanding these businesses even more across our existing base of
long-term independent agents, and each line has performed at or above their historical
underwriting results.”
Mr. Petcoff continued, “We continue to deemphasize lines where the underwriting performance has
not been aligned with our long-term goals, for example, Florida homeowners. While the first
quarter did include higher than anticipated losses (mainly surrounding our commercial property
business), we are pleased to report an accident year loss ratio of 51.7% during the first quarter. Our
continued strong accident year results coupled with incremental improvements in our expense ratio
(44.9% in Q1 2017) better position the Company for sustained, profitable growth going forward.”
Conifer Holdings, Inc. Page 2
May 10, 2017
2017 First Quarter Financial Results Overview
First Quarter 2017 Premiums
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums increased 4.3% in the first quarter of 2017 to $26.5 million, compared to
$25.4 million in the prior year period, largely due to strong growth in the Company’s specialty
commercial lines business, highlighted by our continued expansion in the hospitality sector.
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums increased 20.0% to $24.1 million for the first quarter of 2017, compared to
$20.1 million for the prior year period.
2017 2016 % Change
Gross written premiums 26,474$ 25,393$ 4.3%
Net written premiums 22,324 22,050 1.2%
Net earned premiums 24,140 20,109 20.0%
Net investment income 577 537 7.4%
Net realized investment gains (losses) (8) (8) **
Net income (loss) (1,798) (2,028) **
Net income (loss) per share, diluted (0.24)$ (0.27)$
Adjusted operating income* (1,790) (2,020) **
Adjusted operating income (loss) per share, diluted* (0.24)$ (0.27)$
Book value per common share outstanding 8.72$ 10.08$
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted 7,633,069 7,638,780
Underwriting ratios:
Loss ratio (1) 64.2% 62.4%
Expense ratio (2) 44.9% 49.8%
Combined ratio (3) 109.1% 112.2%
** Percentage is not meaningful
* The "Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures" section of this release defines and reconciles data that are not
based on generally accepted accounting principles.
(3) The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100%
indicates an underwriting profit. A combined ratio over 100% indicates an underwriting loss.
(2) The expense ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of policy acquisition costs and operating
expenses to net earned premiums and other income.
(1) The loss ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of net losses and loss adjustment expenses to net
earned premiums and other income.
At and for the
Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in thousands, except share and per
share amounts)
Conifer Holdings, Inc. Page 3
May 10, 2017
Commercial Lines Financial and Operational Review
The Company’s commercial lines of business, which represented 82% of total gross written
premiums in the first quarter of 2017, primarily consists of property, liability and other
miscellaneous coverage offered to owner-operated small and mid-sized businesses, professional
organizations and hospitality businesses such as restaurants, bars and taverns.
Commercial lines gross written premiums grew by 13.1% to $21.6 million in the first quarter of
2017. The majority of this growth came largely from expansion in the hospitality and security guard
product lines.
Mainly as a result of the reserve strengthening in the commercial property & liability lines, the
commercial lines combined ratio was 100.6% in the first quarter of 2017, compared to 95.9% in the
prior year period. Excluding the contribution to the combined ratio from prior year adverse
development, the accident year combined ratio on commercial lines, for the quarter, was 86.3%.
2017 2016 % Change
Gross written premiums 21,644$ 19,144$ 13.1%
Net written premiums 19,479 16,986 14.7%
Net earned premiums 19,689 15,279 28.9%
Underwriting ratios:
Loss ratio 62.8% 56.1%
Expense ratio 37.8% 39.8%
Combined ratio 100.6% 95.9%
(favorable) adverse prior year development 14.3% 2.3%
Accident year combined ratio (1) 86.3% 93.6%
Commercial Lines Financial Review
(1) The accident year combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio, less
changes in net ultimate loss estimates from prior accident year loss reserves. The accident
year combined ratio provides management with an assessment of the specific policy year's
profitability and assists management in their evaluation of product pricing levels and
quality of business written.
Contribution to combined ratio from net
Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Conifer Holdings, Inc. Page 4
May 10, 2017
Personal Lines Financial and Operational Review
2017 2016 % Change
Gross written premiums 4,830$ 6,249$ -22.7%
Net written premiums 2,845 5,064 -43.8%
Net earned premiums 4,451 4,830 -7.8%
Underwriting ratios:
Loss ratio 70.9% 81.9%
Expense ratio 43.9% 46.0%
Combined ratio 114.8% 127.9%
(favorable) adverse prior year development 5.3% 24.8%
Accident year combined ratio 109.5% 103.1%
(dollars in thousands)
Contribution to combined ratio from net
Personal Lines Financial Review
Three Months Ended March 31,
Personal lines, which consist of low-value dwelling and wind-exposed homeowners insurance,
represented 18% of total gross written premiums for the first quarter of 2017. Personal lines gross
written premiums decreased 22.7% to $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the
prior year period. This was mainly due to a 51.7% decline in wind-exposed homeowners gross
written premiums due to a reduction in Florida homeowners premiums and the exiting of one Texas
program. Conifer’s low-value dwelling products gross written premiums increased by 26.7% during
the first quarter of 2017, compared to the prior year period.
During the first quarter of 2017, the Company increased its reserves in its Florida homeowners
business, which contributed to a personal lines loss ratio for the quarter of 70.9%. The Company
has reduced exposure, ceased seeking additional growth in this market and has begun to examine
potential strategic options for the Florida homeowners business. The Company reported a
combined ratio in personal lines of 114.8% in the first quarter of 2017, compared to 127.9% in the
prior year period.
Conifer Holdings, Inc. Page 5
May 10, 2017
Combined Ratio Analysis
Combined Ratio
The Company's combined ratio was 109.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared
to 112.2% for the same period in 2016.
Excluding additional reserve strengthening, the 2017 first quarter accident year combined ratio was
96.6%, compared to 104.4% in the prior year period.
Loss Ratio: The Company's loss ratio was impacted by an increase of reserves in the Florida
homeowners, commercial property and commercial liability lines of business. The Company
continues to tighten underwriting guidelines, increase rates, and selectively write in the most
profitable geographies, particularly in commercial auto. For the first quarter of 2017, the
Company’s loss ratio was 64.2%, compared to 62.4% in the prior year period. The Company
experienced approximately $750,000 of storm-related losses in the first quarter of 2017,
increasing the loss ratio by three percentage points.
Expense Ratio: The expense ratio was 44.9% for the first quarter of 2017, compared to 49.8% in
the prior year period, marking the fifth consecutive quarter over quarter improvement as the
Company began to leverage the infrastructure investments necessary to support the Company’s
continued growth rate. The 2017 first quarter expense ratio resulted in a 0.4% improvement
from the fourth quarter of 2016. The Company believes this ratio will continue to decline over
time as the Company grows to efficient operating scale.
2017 2016
Underwriting ratios:
Loss ratio 64.2% 62.4%
Expense ratio 44.9% 49.8%
Combined ratio 109.1% 112.2%
adverse prior year development 12.5% 7.8%
Accident year combined ratio 96.6% 104.4%
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Contribution to combined ratio from net (favorable)
Conifer Holdings, Inc. Page 6
May 10, 2017
The table below details the impact of the reserve strengthening on the Company’s loss ratio:
Net development of reserves for losses incurred in prior accident years for all lines of business had
increased the Company’s loss ratio for the first quarter of 2017 by 12.5%, largely due to higher
commercial property reserve development stemming from certain fire losses incurred during the
period, as well as liability reserve development from older claims in the hospitality lines.
Net Income (Loss)
In the first quarter of 2017, the Company reported a net loss of $1.8 million, or $0.24 per diluted
share based on 7.6 million weighted average common diluted shares outstanding, compared to net
loss of $2.0 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, based on 7.6 million weighted average common
diluted shares outstanding in the prior year period.
Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)
In the first quarter of 2017, the Company reported an adjusted operating loss of $1.8 million, or
$0.24 per share, compared to adjusted operating loss of $2.0 million, or $0.27 per share, for the
same period in 2016. See Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures.
2017 2016
Loss ratio 64.2% 62.4%
Less loss ratio impact from:
Florida homeowners reserve strengthening 1.3% 3.7%
Commercial property reserve development 6.7% 0.0%
Commercial liability reserve development 5.3% 0.0%
Commercial automobile reserve strengthening 0.3% 4.2%
Personal automobile; in run-off 0.8% 2.8%
Other net reserve (favorable) development -1.9% -2.9%
Accident year loss ratio 51.7% 54.6%
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Conifer Holdings, Inc. Page 7
May 10, 2017
Balance Sheet/Investment Overview
The Company maintains a prudent investment approach with 97% of the portfolio invested in fixed-
income securities (with an average credit quality of AA) and short-term investments. Only 3% of
the portfolio is invested in equities.
Earnings Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call/webcast on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. ET to
discuss results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.
Investors, analysts, employees and the general public are invited to listen to the conference call via:
Webcast: On the Event Calendar at IR.CNFRH.com
Conference Call: 844-868-8843 (domestic) or 412-317-6589 (international)
The webcast will be archived on the Conifer Holdings website and available for replay for at least
one year.
About the Company
Conifer Holdings, Inc. is a Michigan-based insurance holding company formed in 2009. Through its
subsidiaries, Conifer offers customized insurance coverage solutions in both specialty commercial
March 31, December 31,
2017 2016
Cash and invested assets 144,022$ 141,023$
Reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses 10,186 7,498
Goodwill and intangible assets 1,002 1,007
Total assets 207,966 203,701
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses 62,135 54,651
Unearned premiums 56,336 58,126
Senior debt 17,125 17,750
Total liabilities 141,393 135,907
Total shareholders' equity 66,573 67,794
Net written premium-to-statutory capital and
surplus ratio 1.6 1.6
Debt-to-total capitalization ratio 0.2 0.2
Average tax-equivalent book yield 2.2 2.2
Average fixed maturity duration 3.0 3.2
(dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Conifer Holdings, Inc. Page 8
May 10, 2017
and specialty personal product lines marketing mainly through independent agents in all 50 states.
The Company completed its initial public offering in August 2015 and is traded on the Nasdaq
Global Market (Nasdaq: CNFR). Additional information is available on the Company’s website at
www.CNFRH.com.
Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures
Conifer prepares its public financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Statutory data is prepared in accordance with
statutory accounting rules as defined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners'
(NAIC) Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, and therefore is not reconciled to GAAP data.
We believe that investors’ understanding of Conifer’s performance is enhanced by our disclosure of
adjusted operating income. Our method for calculating this measure may differ from that used by
other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. We define adjusted operating income
(loss), a non-GAAP measure, as net income (loss) excluding net realized investment gains and losses,
and other gains and losses, after-tax. We use adjusting operating income as an internal performance
measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives our management and
other users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our
underlying business performance.
Reconciliations of adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income per share:
2017 2016
(1,798)$ (2,028)$
Net realized gains (losses), net of tax (8) (8)
Tax effect of investment unrealized gains and losses - -
Adjusted operating income (loss) (1,790)$ (2,020)$
Weighted a erage common shares, diluted 7,633,069 7,638,780
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Net income (loss), per share (0.24)$ (0.27)$
Net realized gains (losses), net of tax, per share - -
Tax effect of investment unrealized gains and losses, per share - -
Adjusted operating income (loss), per share (0.24)$ (0.27)$
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(dollar in thousands, except
share and per share amounts)
Net income (loss)
Conifer Holdings, Inc. Page 9
May 10, 2017
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give
current expectations or forecasts of future events or our future financial or operating performance,
and include Conifer’s expectations regarding premiums, earnings, its capital position, expansion,
and growth strategies. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on
management’s good-faith belief and reasonable judgment based on current information. The
forward-looking statements are qualified by important factors, risks and uncertainties, many of
which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements, including those described in our form 10-K (“Item 1A Risk
Factors”) filed with the SEC on March 15, 2017 and subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the
SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this report speaks only as of the date hereof or
as of the date specified herein. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may
be required by any applicable laws or regulations.
Conifer Holdings, Inc. Page 10
May 10, 2017
March 31 December 31,
2017 2016
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Investment securities:
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (amortized cost of $114,717 and 114,086$ 113,163$
$113,915, respectively)
Equity securities, at fair value (cost of $4,291 and $4,283, respectively) 4,773 4,579
Short-term investments, at fair value 14,967 10,788
Total investments 133,826 128,530
Cash 10,196 12,493
Premiums and agents' balances receivable, net 23,189 24,538
Receivable from affiliate 1,484 1,751
Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses 9,125 6,658
Reinsurance recoverables on paid losses 1,061 840
Ceded unearned premiums 3,806 4,120
Deferred policy acquisition costs 12,956 13,290
Other assets 12,323 11,481
Total assets 207,966$ 203,701$
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses 62,135$ 54,651$
Unearned premiums 56,336 58,126
Senior debt 17,125 17,750
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 5,315 4,879
Other liabilities 482 501
Total liabilities 141,393 135,907
Commitments and contingencies - -
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, no par value (100,000,000 shares authorized;
7,633,069 and 7,633,070 issued and outstanding, respectively) 80,585 80,342
Accumulated deficit (13,266) (11,468)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (746) (1,080)
Total shareholders' equity 66,573 67,794
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 207,966$ 203,701$
Conifer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share data)
Assets
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Conifer Holdings, Inc. Page 11
May 10, 2017
2017 2016
Revenue
Premiums
Gross earned premiums $28,264 $23,546
Ceded earned premiums (4,124) (3,437)
Net earned premiums 24,140 20,109
Net investment income 577 537
Net realized investment gains (8) (8)
Other income 354 245
Total revenue 25,063 20,883
Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, net 15,733 12,699
Policy acquisition costs 6,472 6,003
Operating expenses 4,530 4,139
Interest expense 224 157
Total expenses 26,959 22,998
Income (loss) before equity earnings and income taxes (1,896) (2,115)
Equity earnings (losses) of affiliates, net of tax 104 87
Income tax (benefit) expense 6 —
Net income (loss) (1,798) (2,028)
Earnings (loss) per common share,
basic and diluted (0.24)$ (0.27)$
Weighted average common shares outstanding,
basic and diluted 7,633,069 7,638,780
Conifer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
March 31,
Three Months Ended