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8-K - Protective Insurance Corpform8k.htm


Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                February 15, 2018
Unaudited Fourth Quarter Financial Statements                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Investor Contact:  William Vens
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           investors@baldwinandlyons.com
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              (317) 429-2554

BALDWIN & LYONS, INC. ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR RESULTS

Net income of $16.5 million, or $1.10 per share for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to net income of $4.9 million, or $0.32 per share, for the prior year
Net income during the fourth quarter of 2017 included an estimated tax benefit from reduced corporate tax rates of $9.6 million, or $0.64 per share
Gross premiums written during 2017 increased 25.2% to $504.7 million compared to $403.0 million during 2016.
Combined ratio during the fourth quarter of 2017 was 99.3%, compared to 104.5% during the fourth quarter of 2016.

Carmel, Indiana, February 15, 2018—Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWINA, BWINB) today reported results for the fourth quarter and twelve months of 2017.  The Company produced fourth quarter net income of $16.5 million, or $1.10 per share, which compares to net income of $4.9 million, or $0.32 per share, for the prior year's fourth quarter.  For the full year of 2017, net income totaled $18.3 million, or $1.21 per share, which compares to net income of $28.9 million, or $1.92 per share, for the prior year.
Net premiums earned for the fourth quarter of 2017 increased 40.4% to $97.1 million compared to the prior year period. For full year 2017, net premiums earned increased 18.9% to $328.1 million. The continued growth in the Company's commercial automobile and workers' compensation products as well as growth in the Company's programs book of business contributed to the increase in premiums earned.
Gross premiums written for the fourth quarter of 2017 increased 37.5% to $144.2 million compared to $104.9 million written during the prior year period.  Gross premiums written for full year 2017 increased 25.2% to $504.7 million compared to $403.0 million written during the prior year.  The increases were primarily driven by continued growth in the Company's commercial automobile and workers' compensation products as well as growth in the Company's programs book of business.
Net investment income for the fourth quarter of 2017 increased 42.2% to $5.7 million compared to $4.0 million in the prior year period. Full year 2017 net investment income increased 24.9% to $18.1 million, compared to $14.5 million in prior year. The increase reflects higher interest rates, higher reinvestment yields for core fixed income securities, increased dividends from equity securities, and an increase in average funds invested resulting from positive cash flow.
Underwriting operations produced a combined ratio of 99.3% during the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to a combined ratio of 104.5% for the prior year period.  The fourth quarter 2017 combined ratio includes $2.7 million (2.8 percentage points) of unfavorable prior year reserve development, predominately related to legacy business lines which are now in run-off, compared to unfavorable prior year development of $3.4 million (5.0 percentage points) during the prior year period.  The combined ratio difference between the fourth quarter of 2017 and 2016 reflects adverse development during the fourth quarter of 2016 related to a number of infrequent, but severe Public Transportation charter bus claims.  For full year 2017, the combined ratio was 108.4% compared to a combined ratio of 98.1% for the prior year with the difference primarily related to reserve strengthening in the second quarter of 2017.  Prior year unfavorable reserve development in 2017 totaled $19.2 million compared to $13.8 million for the full year 2016.
 
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Book value per share as of December 31, 2017 was $27.83, an increase of $0.90 per share during the fourth quarter, after the payment of cash dividends to shareholders totaling $0.27 per share.  For full year 2017, book value per share increased $1.02 after the payment of cash dividends to shareholders totaling $1.08 per share.  The combination of the year-to-date increase in book value of $1.02, plus dividends paid to shareholders of $1.08, represents an annualized total value creation of 7.8% on beginning book value for the full year 2017.
The Company's net income, determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) includes items that may not be indicative of ongoing operations. The following table reconciles income before federal income taxes to underwriting income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure that is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
December 31
   
December 31
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
                         
Income before federal income taxes
 
$
10,506
   
$
7,067
   
$
10,122
   
$
43,054
 
Less: Net realized gains on investments
   
4,152
     
6,204
     
19,686
     
23,228
 
Income (loss) from core business operations
 
$
6,354
   
$
863
   
$
(9,564
)
 
$
19,826
 
Less: Net investment income
   
5,661
     
3,982
     
18,095
     
14,483
 
Underwriting income (loss)
 
$
693
   
$
(3,119
)
 
$
(27,659
)
 
$
5,343
 

Income (loss) from core business operations, before federal income taxes, was $6.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to income (loss) from core business operations, before federal income taxes, of $0.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2016.  Income (loss) from core business operations, before federal income tax benefits, was ($9.6 million) for the full year 2017 compared to income (loss) from core business operations, before federal income taxes, of $19.8 million during the prior year.
The Company's management uses the term income (loss) from core business operations, a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as income before federal income taxes excluding pre-tax realized investment gains and losses.  This financial measure is used to evaluate the Company's performance because the recognition of investment gains and losses in any given period is largely discretionary as to timing and could distort the analysis of trends. The Company believes equity analysts exclude gains and losses on investments in their analysis of the Company's results.
The combined ratios and the components, as presented herein, are commonly used in the property/casualty insurance industry and are applied to the Company's GAAP underwriting results.








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Conference Call Information:
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. has scheduled its quarterly conference call for Thursday, February 15, 2018, at 11:00 AM EST to discuss results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2017.
To participate via teleconference, investors may dial 1-877-705-6003 (U.S./Canada) or 1-201-493-6725 (International or local) at least five minutes prior to the beginning of the call.  A replay of the call will be available through February 22, 2018 by calling 1-844-512-2921 or 1-412-317-6671 and referencing passcode 13674841.  Investors and interested parties may also listen to the call via a live webcast, accessible on the company's web site via a link at the top of the main Investor Relations page.  To participate in the webcast, please register at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call.  The webcast will be archived on this site until August 15, 2018.  The webcast may be accessed directly at: http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=127689.
Also available on the investor relations section of our web site are complete interim financial statements and copies of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-K but do not include all of the information and footnotes as disclosed in the Company's annual audited financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included.

Forward-looking statements in this report are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties.  Readers are encouraged to review the Company's annual report for its full statement regarding forward-looking information.



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Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries
           
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
           
(in thousands, except per share data)
           
             
             
             
   
December 31
   
December 31
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
Assets
           
Investments 1:
           
   Fixed maturities ($521,017)
 
$
521,853
   
$
491,904
 
   Equity securities ($130,751)
   
201,763
     
119,945
 
   Limited partnerships, at equity
   
70,806
     
76,469
 
   Short-term 2
   
1,000
     
1,500
 
     
795,422
     
689,818
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
64,680
     
62,976
 
Accounts receivable
   
87,551
     
64,984
 
Reinsurance recoverable
   
318,331
     
255,024
 
Other assets
   
72,691
     
78,732
 
Current federal income taxes
   
6,938
     
2,603
 
   
$
1,345,613
   
$
1,154,137
 
                 
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
               
Reserves for losses and loss expenses
 
$
680,274
   
$
576,330
 
Reserves for unearned premiums
   
53,085
     
21,694
 
Borrowings under line of credit
   
20,000
     
20,000
 
Accounts payable and other liabilities
   
159,085
     
120,356
 
Deferred federal income taxes
   
14,358
     
11,412
 
     
926,802
     
749,792
 
Shareholders' equity:
               
   Common stock-no par value
   
642
     
644
 
   Additional paid-in capital
   
55,078
     
54,286
 
   Unrealized net gains on investments
   
46,700
     
34,051
 
   Retained earnings
   
316,391
     
315,364
 
     
418,811
     
404,345
 
   
$
1,345,613
   
$
1,154,137
 
                 
Number of common and common
               
    equivalent shares outstanding
   
15,047
     
15,084
 
Book value per outstanding share
 
$
27.83
   
$
26.81
 
                 
1 2017 cost in parentheses
               
2 Approximates cost
               


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Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                       
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
                       
(in thousands, except per share data)
                       
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
December 31
   
December 31
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
Revenues
                       
Net premiums earned
 
$
97,075
   
$
69,141
   
$
328,145
   
$
276,011
 
Net investment income
   
5,661
     
3,982
     
18,095
     
14,483
 
Net realized gains on investments
   
4,152
     
6,204
     
19,686
     
23,228
 
Commissions and other income
   
1,520
     
1,241
     
5,308
     
5,275
 
     
108,408
     
80,568
     
371,234
     
318,997
 
Expenses
                               
Losses and loss expenses incurred
   
66,492
     
48,366
     
247,518
     
186,481
 
Other operating expenses
   
31,410
     
25,135
     
113,594
     
89,462
 
     
97,902
     
73,501
     
361,112
     
275,943
 
Income before federal income taxes (benefits)
   
10,506
     
7,067
     
10,122
     
43,054
 
Federal income taxes (benefits)
   
(5,970
)
   
2,203
     
(8,201
)
   
14,109
 
Net income
 
$
16,476
   
$
4,864
   
$
18,323
   
$
28,945
 
                                 
Per share data - diluted:
                               
Income before net gains on investments
 
$
.92
   
$
.06
   
$
.37
   
$
.92
 
Net gains on investments
   
.18
     
.26
     
.84
     
1.00
 
Net income
 
$
1.10
   
$
.32
   
$
1.21
   
$
1.92
 
                                 
Dividends
 
$
.27
   
$
.26
   
$
1.08
   
$
1.04
 
                                 
Reconciliation of shares outstanding:
                               
Average shares outstanding - basic
   
15,010
     
15,084
     
15,065
     
15,072
 
Dilutive effect of share equivalents
   
35
     
-
     
42
     
12
 
Average shares outstanding - diluted
   
15,045
     
15,084
     
15,107
     
15,084
 


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Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries
           
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
           
(in thousands)
           
             
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
December 31
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
             
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
91,865
   
$
32,368
 
Investing activities:
               
   Purchases of available-for-sale investments
   
(410,140
)
   
(400,670
)
   Purchases of limited partnership interests
   
(1,097
)
   
-
 
   Proceeds from sales or maturities
               
       of available-for-sale investments
   
325,086
     
367,254
 
   Net sales of short-term investments
   
500
     
11,258
 
   Distributions from limited partnerships
   
19,230
     
1,462
 
   Other investing activities
   
(6,080
)
   
(6,666
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(72,501
)
   
(27,362
)
Financing activities:
               
   Dividends paid to shareholders
   
(16,302
)
   
(15,803
)
   Repurchase of common shares
   
(1,880
)
   
-
 
Net cash used in financing activities
   
(18,182
)
   
(15,803
)
                 
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
   
522
     
235
 
                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
1,704
     
(10,562
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
62,976
     
73,538
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
64,680
   
$
62,976
 
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Financial Highlights (unaudited)
                       
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                       
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
December 31
   
December 31
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
                         
Annualized
                       
Book value per share beginning of period
 
$
26.93
   
$
26.98
   
$
26.81
   
$
26.25
 
Book value per share end of period
   
27.83
     
26.81
     
27.83
     
26.81
 
Change in book value per share
 
$
0.90
   
$
(0.17
)
 
$
1.02
   
$
0.56
 
Dividends paid
   
0.27
     
0.26
     
1.08
     
1.04
 
Total value creation 1
   
17.4
%
   
1.3
%
   
7.8
%
   
6.1
%
 
                               
                                 
Return on average shareholders' equity:
                               
Net operating income
   
15.1
%
   
0.9
%
   
1.5
%
   
3.8
%
Net income
   
18.0
%
   
5.3
%
   
4.9
%
   
8.0
%
                                 
                                 
Loss and LAE expenses incurred
 
$
66,492
   
$
48,366
   
$
247,518
   
$
186,481
 
Net premiums earned
   
97,075
     
69,141
     
328,145
     
276,011
 
     Loss and LAE ratio
   
68.5
%
   
70.0
%
   
75.4
%
   
67.6
%
                                 
Other operating expenses
 
$
31,410
   
$
25,135
   
$
113,594
   
$
89,462
 
Less: Commissions and other income
   
1,520
     
1,241
     
5,308
     
5,275
 
Other operating expenses, less commission and other income
 
$
29,890
   
$
23,894
   
$
108,286
   
$
84,187
 
Net premiums earned
   
97,075
     
69,141
     
328,145
     
276,011
 
     Expense ratio
   
30.8
%
   
34.5
%
   
33.0
%
   
30.5
%
                                 
     Combined ratio 2
   
99.3
%
   
104.5
%
   
108.4
%
   
98.1
%
                                 
                                 
Gross premiums written
 
$
144,179
   
$
104,884
   
$
504,737
   
$
403,004
 
Net premiums written
   
106,930
     
68,988
     
353,389
     
271,752
 
                                 
1 Total Value Creation equals change in book value plus dividends paid, divided by beginning book value. Quarterly amounts have been annualized
 
2 The combined ratio is calculated as ratio of losses and loss expenses incurred, plus other operating expenses, less commission and other income to net premiums earned.
 



 

 
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