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8-K - UNICO AMERICAN CORPform8k.htm

 

 EXHIBIT 99.1

 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

CONTACT: Michael Budnitsky

Chief Financial Officer

818-591-9800

 

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION REPORTS

FIRST QUARTER 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

Calabasas, CA, May 15, 2017 – Unico American Corporation. (NASDAQ – “UNAM”) (“Unico,” the “Company”), announced today its consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, revenues were $9.0 million and net loss was $2.1 million ($0.40 diluted loss per share) compared with revenues of $8.5 million and net loss of $0.2 million ($0.04 diluted loss per share) for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

Stockholders’ equity was $66.8 million as of March 31, 2017, or $12.58 per common share including unrealized after-tax investment gains of $0.02 million, compared to stockholders’ equity of $68.9 million as of December 31, 2016, or $12.98 per common share including unrealized after- tax investment gains of $0.08 million.

 

"The Company's first quarter 2017 financial results clearly did not meet our expectations,” said Cary L. Cheldin, Unico’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  “During the first quarter of 2017, our losses from policies issued in prior years turned out to be more costly than originally anticipated, reflecting in the first quarter a higher than normal number of large losses.  Management filed for regulatory approval of rate increases last November. We received that approval today, and we continue to actively evaluate pricing adequacy.

 

“I believe that our first quarter financial results reflect neither our current underwriting activity nor our recent operational changes.  Earlier this year we changed our underwriting and marketing operations from a ‘regional’ distribution model to a ‘product line’ distribution model, thus positioning our P&C marketing and underwriting employees to compete on a more specialized basis.  Also, continuing with our renewed talent acquisition strategy, we brought in a new Vice President to head up our Information Technology department.  We expect these changes to have a meaningful impact on our results as the changes take hold.  Furthermore, we are considering a change for some of our underwriting activities to a non-admitted, excess and surplus lines basis which, if adopted, would help us avoid future delays in adjusting rates.”

 

Headquartered in Calabasas, California, Unico is an insurance holding company that underwrites property and casualty insurance through its insurance company subsidiary; provides property, casualty, and health insurance through its agency subsidiaries; and through its other subsidiaries provides insurance premium financing and membership association services. Unico has conducted the majority of its operations through its subsidiary Crusader Insurance Company since 1985. For more information concerning Crusader Insurance Company, please visit Crusader’s website at www.crusaderinsurance.com.

 

 

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Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking. These statements, which may be identified by forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “appears,” “believe,” ”expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” and “would,” involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include underwriting actions not being effective, rate increases for coverages not being sufficient, premium rate adequacy relating to competition or regulation, actual versus estimated claim experience, regulatory changes or developments, unforeseen calamities, general market conditions, and the Company’s ability to introduce new profitable products.

 

Financial Tables Follow –

 

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

($ in thousands)

 

   March 31  December 31
   2017    2016
    (Unaudited)      
ASSETS          
Investments          
Available-for-sale:          
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: March 31, 2017 $68,237; December 31, 2016 $80,372)  $68,240   $80,384 
Short-term investments, at fair value   21,803    10,205 
Total Investments   90,043    90,589 
Cash and restricted assets   13,602    13,496 
Accrued investment income   212    186 
Receivables, net   6,261    6,008 
Reinsurance recoverable:          
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses   158    261 
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses   9,886    9,521 
Deferred policy acquisition costs   4,421    4,432 
Property and equipment, net   10,186    10,283 
Deferred income taxes   1,174    1,177 
Other assets   3,017    2,269 
Total Assets  $138,960   $138,222 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
           
LIABILITIES          
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses  $49,890   $47,056 
Unearned premiums   19,397    19,375 
Advance premium and premium deposits   393    224 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   2,520    2,661 
Total Liabilities   $72,200   $69,316 
           
Commitments and contingencies          
           
STOCKHOLDERS'  EQUITY          
Common stock, no par – authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding shares 5,307,133 at March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016  $3,767   $3,761 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   2    8 
Retained earnings   62,991    65,137 
Total Stockholders’ Equity  $66,760   $68,906 
           
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity  $138,960   $138,222 

  

 

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

($ in thousands, except per share)

 

   Three Months Ended
      March 31
    2017   2016
REVENUES      
Insurance company operation:          
Net premium earned  $7,921   $7,572 
Investment income   212    212 
Net realized investment losses   —      (1)
Other income   68    68 
Total Insurance Company Revenues   8,201    7,851 
           
Other insurance operations:          
Gross commissions and fees   742    657 
Finance fees earned   18    17 
Other income   —      5 
Total Revenues   8,961    8,530 
           
EXPENSES          
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   8,525    5,085 
Policy acquisition costs   1,498    1,700 
Salaries and employee benefits   1,349    1,382 
Commissions to agents/brokers   42    40 
Other operating expenses   814    593 
Total Expenses   12,228    8,800 
           
Loss before taxes   (3,267)   (270)
Income tax benefit   1,120   71
Net Loss  $(2,147)  $(199)
           
           
           
PER SHARE DATA:          
Basic          
Loss Per Share  $(0.40)  $(0.04)
Weighted Average Shares   5,307,133    5,309,377 
           
Diluted          
Loss Per Share  $(0.40)  $(0.04)
Weighted Average Shares   5,307,133    5,309,377 

  

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

($ in thousands)

  

   Three Months Ended
   March 31
   2017  2016
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net Loss  $(2,147)  $(199)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operations:          
Depreciation and amortization   132    116 
Bond amortization, net   (3)   (4)
Bad debt expense   13    —   
Non-cash stock based compensation   6    6 
Changes in assets and liabilities:          
Net receivables and accrued investment income   (292)   (276)
Reinsurance recoverable   (262)   (872)
Deferred policy acquisition costs   11    (88)
Other assets   377    537
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses   2,834    917 
Unearned premiums   22    135 
Advance premium and premium deposits   169    282 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   (141)   206 
Income taxes current/deferred   (1,118)   (69)
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities   (399)   691
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchase of fixed maturity investments   (100)   (200)
Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity investments   12,238    1,046 
Net decrease (increase) in short-term investments   (11,598)   4,352 
Additions to property and equipment   (35)   (352)
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities   505    4,846 
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Repurchase of common stock   —      (89)
Net Cash Used by Financing Activities   —      (89)
           
Net increase in cash and restricted cash   106    5,448
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period   13,496    8,259 
Cash and Restricted Cash at End of Period  $13,602   $13,707 
           
Supplemental cash flow information          
Cash paid during the period for:          
Interest   —      —   
Income taxes   —      —   

 

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