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8-K - FORM 8-K - HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES INCtm2023795d2_8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

HALLMARK FINANCIAL ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL 2019 RESULTS

 

DALLAS, Texas, (June 29, 2020) - Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. (“Hallmark Financial”) (NASDAQ: HALL) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

 

   Fourth Quarter   Fiscal Year 
   2019   2018   2019   2018 
$ in millions:  (unaudited)   (unaudited)        
Net Income  $(34.0)  $(5.1)  $(0.6)  $10.3 
Operating (Loss) Earnings (1)  $(36.5)  $5.1   $(16.9)  $18.4 
                     
$ per diluted share:                    
Net Income  $(1.87)  $(0.28)  $(0.03)  $0.57 
Operating (Loss) Earnings (1)  $(2.01)  $0.28   $(0.93)  $1.01 

 

(1)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below

 

Fourth Quarter 2019 Highlights (all comparisons to same prior year period):

 

·Gross premiums written increased 28% to $214.1 million

 

·Net premiums written increased 35% to $127.5 million

 

·Net combined ratio of 141.4% compared to 96.3%. Net unfavorable prior year loss reserve development of $53.1 million added 44.7 percentage points to the net combined ratio compared to $0.1 million of net favorable prior year loss reserve development having a negligible impact on the net combined ratio.

 

·Net loss of $34.0 million, or $1.87 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $5.1 million, or $0.28 per diluted share

 

·Operating loss of $36.5 million, or $2.01 per diluted share, compared to operating earnings of $5.1 million, or $0.28 per diluted share (see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below)

 

·Net investment gains of $3.2 million compared to net investment losses of $12.9 million

 

 

 

 
 

 

Fiscal 2019 Highlights (all comparisons to same prior year period):

 

·Gross premiums written increased 27% to $843.8 million

 

·Net premiums written increased 36% to $496.6 million

 

·Net combined ratio of 108.0% compared to 97.1%. Net unfavorable prior year loss reserve development of $60.9 million added 13.9 percentage points to the net combined ratio compared to $6.0 million adding 1.6 percentage points to the net combined ratio.

 

·Net loss of $0.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to net income of $10.3 million, or $0.57 per diluted share

 

·Operating loss of $16.9 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, compared to operating earnings of $18.4 million, or $1.01 per diluted share (see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below)

 

·Net investment gains of $20.6 million, including $4.5 million in net realized gains and a $16.1 million increase in net unrealized gains, compared to net investment losses of $10.2 million, which included $1.8 million in net realized gains and $12.0 million in net unrealized losses

 

·Operating cash inflow of $27.7 million compared to operating cash outflow of $32.9 million

 

·Book value per share grew 2% to $14.53

 

   Fourth Quarter    Fiscal Year 
   2019   2018   % Change   2019   2018   % Change 
($ in thousands)  (unaudited)   (unaudited)                 
Gross premiums written   214,101    167,179    28%   843,831    663,015    27%
Net premiums written    127,533    94,507    35%   496,552    363,798    36%
Net premiums earned   118,849    91,300    30%   436,877    363,087    20%
Investment income, net of expenses   5,031    4,526    11%   20,604    18,232    13%
Investment gains (losses), net   3,206    (12,873)   125%   20,618    (10,195)   302%
Net (loss) income   (33,966)   (5,075)   -569%   (625)   10,347    -106%
Operating (loss) earnings (1)   (36,499)   5,095    -816%   (16,913)   18,401    -192%
Net (loss) income per share - basic  $(1.87)  $(0.28)   -568%  $(0.03)  $0.57    -105%
Net (loss) income per share - diluted  $(1.87)  $(0.28)   -568%  $(0.03)  $0.57    -105%
Operating (loss) earnings per share - diluted (1)  $(2.01)  $0.28    -818%  $(0.93)  $1.01    -192%
Operating cash flow   4,770    (13,952)   134%   27,670    (32,935)   184%
Book value per share  $14.53   $14.17    2%               
Tangible book value per share (1)  $11.82   $11.35    4%               

 

(1) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below

 

Page 2 of 10

 

 

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2019 Financial Review

 

Gross Premiums Written

 

During the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, Hallmark Financial’s gross premiums written were $214.1 million and $843.8 million, respectively, representing an increase of 28% and 27%, respectively, from the $167.2 million and $663.0 million in gross premiums written for the same periods in 2018.

 

Net Premiums Written

 

During the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, Hallmark Financial’s net premiums written were $127.5 million and $496.6 million, respectively, representing an increase of 35% and 36%, respectively, from the $94.5 million and $363.8 million in net premiums written for the same periods of 2018. The increase in net premiums written for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was due to premium growth in each of its Segments, as well as overall increased net retention of business.

 

Net Premiums Earned

 

Hallmark Financial’s net premiums earned were $118.8 million and $436.9 million for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, respectively, as compared to $91.3 million and $363.1 million for the same periods in 2018.

 

Investments

 

Hallmark Financial’s fiscal year 2019 total investment income and gains on investments were $50.4 million, comprised of $20.6 million net investment income, $20.6 million net investment gains, and $9.2 million net unrealized holding gains reported in comprehensive income. The 2019 total portfolio return was 8.0%.

 

During the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, net investment income was $5.0 million and $20.6 million, respectively, representing an increase of 11% and 13% for the same periods of 2018.

 

At December 31, 2019 fixed-income securities were $574.3 million, with a tax equivalent book yield of 3.2% compared to 3.4% as of December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2019, our fixed-income portfolio had an average modified duration of 1.5 years and 79% of the securities had remaining time to maturity of five years or less. As of December 31, 2019, 15% of our investment portfolio was invested in equity securities.

 

At December 31, 2019, total investments were $675.7 million, including net unrealized gains of $30.5 million. Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash were $54.9 million. Total investments, cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash were $730.6 million or $40.31 per share.

 

Pre-Tax Income

 

Hallmark Financial had pre-tax loss of $43.1 million and $1.0 million for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, respectively, as compared to a pre-tax loss of $6.5 million and pre-tax income of $12.8 million reported during the same periods in 2018.

 

The decline in pre-tax results for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was predominately driven by adverse prior year loss reserve development, partially offset by increased revenue from higher net premiums earned, net investment income and finance charges, as well as investment gains compared to investment losses reported for the same periods in 2018.

 

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Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses (“LAE”) and Net Combined Ratios

 

Increases in revenue were offset by increased losses and LAE for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 of $75.8 million and $106.1 million, respectively, as compared to the prior year periods due primarily to unfavorable net prior year reserve development, as well as increased net premiums earned. Hallmark Financial reported $53.1 million and $60.9 million, respectively, of unfavorable net prior year loss reserve development during the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to favorable prior year loss reserve development of $0.1 million during the three months ended December 31, 2018 and unfavorable prior year loss reserve development of $6.0 million during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. The unfavorable net prior year loss reserve development for fiscal 2019 was primarily related to commercial auto claims incurred in the years 2016 and 2017.

 

Hallmark Financial had a net loss ratio of 118.1% and 82.9% for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, respectively, as compared to 70.6% and 70.5% reported during the same periods in 2018. Catastrophe losses contributed 0.6% and 1.2% to the net loss ratios for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to 5.1% and 2.6% for the same periods of the prior year.

 

The expense ratio was 23.3% and 25.1% for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, respectively, as compared to 25.7% and 26.6% reported during the same periods in 2018. The Company reported a net combined ratio of 141.4% and 108.0% for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, compared to 96.3% and 97.1% during the same periods in 2018.

 

Net Income

 

Hallmark Financial reported a net loss of $34.0 million and $0.6 million for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to a net loss of $5.1 million and net income of $10.3 million for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

On a diluted basis per share, the Company reported a net loss of $1.87 per share and $0.03 per share for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to a net loss of $0.28 per share and net income of $0.57 per share for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Hallmark Financial expects to file its first quarter 2020 Form 10-Q within the next few weeks and to timely file its second quarter 2020 Form 10-Q.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). However, the Company also presents and discusses certain non-GAAP financial measures that it believes are useful to investors as measures of operating performance. Management may also use such non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating the effectiveness of business strategies and for planning and budgeting purposes. However, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as an alternative or substitute for the results reflected in the Company’s GAAP financial statements. In addition, the Company’s definitions of these items may not be comparable to the definitions used by other companies.

 

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Operating earnings and operating earnings per share are calculated by excluding net investment gains and losses from GAAP net income. Management believes that operating earnings and operating earnings per share provide useful information to investors about the performance of and underlying trends in the Company’s core insurance operations. Net income and net income per share are the GAAP measures that are most directly comparable to operating earnings and operating earnings per share. A reconciliation of operating earnings and operating earnings per share to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is presented below.

 

               Weighted     
   Income   Less Tax   Net   Average   Diluted 
($ in thousands)  Before Tax   Effect   After Tax   Shares Diluted   Per Share 
Fourth Quarter 2019                    
Reported GAAP measures (unaudited)  $(43,094)  $(9,128)  $(33,966)   18,123   $(1.87)
Excluded investment (gains)/losses  $(3,206)  $(673)  $(2,533)   18,123   $(0.14)
Operating earnings  $(46,300)  $(9,801)  $(36,499)   18,123   $(2.01)
                          
Fourth Quarter 2018                         
Reported GAAP measures (unaudited)  $(6,453)  $(1,378)  $(5,075)   18,055   $(0.28)
Excluded investment (gains)/losses  $12,873   $2,703   $10,170    18,198   $0.56 
Operating earnings  $6,420   $1,325   $5,095    18,198   $0.28 
                          
Fiscal 2019                         
Reported GAAP measures  $(1,032)  $(407)  $(625)   18,107   $(0.03)
Excluded investment (gains)/losses  $(20,618)  $(4,330)  $(16,288)   18,107   $(0.90)
Operating earnings  $(21,650)  $(4,737)  $(16,913)   18,107   $(0.93)
                          
Fiscal 2018                         
Reported GAAP measures  $12,803   $2,456   $10,347    18,201   $0.57 
Excluded investment (gains)/losses  $10,195   $2,141   $8,054    18,201   $0.44 
Operating earnings  $22,998   $4,597   $18,401    18,201   $1.01 

 

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Tangible book value per share is calculated by dividing tangible stockholders’ equity by common shares outstanding. Tangible stockholders’ equity is calculated by excluding goodwill, net intangible assets and related deferred tax liabilities from GAAP stockholders’ equity. Management believes that tangible book value per share provides useful information to investors about the Company’s per share equity value exclusive of goodwill and net intangible assets from prior acquisitions. Stockholders’ equity is the GAAP measure that is most directly comparable to tangible stockholder’s equity. A reconciliation of tangible stockholders’ equity and tangible book value per share to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is presented below.

 

   As of December 31, 
(amounts in thousands, except per share)  2019   2018 
Reported GAAP stockholders' equity  $263,282   $255,532 
Excluded:          
   Goodwill   (44,695)   (44,695)
   Intangible assets, net   (5,087)   (7,555)
   Deferred tax liability related to          
      intangible assets, net   795    1,314 
Tangible stockholders' equity   214,295    204,596 
Common shares outstanding   18,123    18,027 
Tangible book value per share  $11.82   $11.35 

 

About Hallmark Financial

 

Hallmark Financial is a specialty property and casualty insurance holding company with a diversified portfolio of insurance products written on a national platform. With six insurance subsidiaries and offices in Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio, Chicago, Jersey City and Atlanta, Hallmark Financial markets, underwrites and services approximately $800 million annually in commercial and personal insurance premiums in select markets. Hallmark Financial is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and its common stock is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol "HALL."

 

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, continued acceptance of the Company’s products and services in the marketplace, competitive factors, interest rate trends, general economic conditions, the availability of financing, underwriting loss experience and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

For further information, please contact:

Mr. David Webb, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at 817.348.1600

www.hallmarkgrp.com

 

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Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets    

 

   Dec. 31   Dec. 31 
($ in thousands, except par value)  2019   2018 
ASSETS        
Investments:          
Debt securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $569,498 in 2019 and $550,268 in 2018)  $574,279   $545,870 
Equity securities (cost: $71,895 in 2019 and $68,709 in 2018)   99,215    80,896 
Other investment (cost: $3,763 in 2019 and $3,763 in 2018)   2,169    1,148 
Total investments   675,663    627,914 
Cash and cash equivalents   53,336    35,594 
Restricted cash   1,612    4,877 
Ceded unearned premiums   164,221    133,031 
Premiums receivable   148,288    119,778 
Accounts receivable   4,286    1,619 
Receivable for securities   12,581    3,369 
Reinsurance recoverable   315,466    252,029 
Deferred policy acquisition costs   22,994    14,291 
Goodwill   44,695    44,695 
Intangible assets, net   5,087    7,555 
Federal income tax recoverable   8,995    - 
Deferred federal income taxes, net   2,185    4,983 
Prepaid expenses   2,603    2,588 
Other assets   33,262    12,571 
Total Assets  $1,495,274   $1,264,894 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Liabilities:          
Senior unsecured notes due 2029 (less unamortized debt issuance cost of $942 in 2019)  $49,058   $- 
Revolving credit facility payable   -    30,000 
Subordinated debt securities (less unamortized debt issuance cost of $846 in 2019 and $898 in 2018)   55,856    55,804 
Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses   620,355    527,247 
Unearned premiums   388,926    298,061 
Reinsurance balances payable   59,274    67,328 
Current federal income tax payable   -    4 
Pension liability   1,388    2,018 
Payable for securities   1,648    698 
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses   55,487    28,202 
Total Liabilities   1,231,992    1,009,362 
Commitments and contingencies          
Stockholders’ equity:          
Common stock, $.18 par value, authorized 33,333,333 shares; issued 20,872,831 shares in 2019 and 2018   3,757    3,757 
Additional paid-in capital   123,468    123,168 
Retained earnings   160,570    161,195 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   688    (6,660)
Treasury stock (2,749,738 shares in 2019 and 2,846,131 shares in 2018), at cost   (25,201)   (25,928)
Total Stockholders’ Equity   263,282    255,532 
Total Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity  $1,495,274   $1,264,894 

 

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Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations    

 

 
   Three Months Ended   Fiscal Year Ended 
   December 31,   December 31, 
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)  2019   2018   2019   2018 
   (unaudited)   (unaudited)         
Gross premiums written  $214,101   $167,179   $843,831   $663,015 
Ceded premiums written   (86,568)   (72,672)   (347,279)   (299,217)
Net premiums written   127,533    94,507    496,552    363,798 
Change in unearned premiums   (8,684)   (3,207)   (59,675)   (711)
Net premiums earned   118,849    91,300    436,877    363,087 
                     
Investment income, net of expenses   5,031    4,526    20,604    18,232 
Investment gains (losses), net   3,206    (12,873)   20,618    (10,195)
Finance charges   1,717    1,567    7,026    5,115 
Commission and fees   246    324    1,190    2,928 
Other income   13    12    56    101 
Total revenues   129,062    84,856    486,371    379,268 
                     
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   140,304    64,460    362,165    256,028 
Operating expenses   29,704    25,022    117,360    103,424 
Interest expense   1,531    1,210    5,410    4,545 
Amortization of intangible assets   617    617    2,468    2,468 
Total expenses   172,156    91,309    487,403    366,465 
                     
Income before tax   (43,094)   (6,453)   (1,032)   12,803 
Income tax expense   (9,128)   (1,378)   (407)   2,456 
Net income  $(33,966)  $(5,075)  $(625)  $10,347 
                     
Net income per share:                    
Basic  $(1.87)  $(0.28)  $(0.03)  $0.57 
Diluted  $(1.87)  $(0.28)  $(0.03)  $0.57 

 

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Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Segment Data

Three Months Ended Dec. 31

 

   Specialty Commercial
Segment
   Standard Commercial
Segment
   Personal Segment   Corporate   Consolidated 
($ in thousands, unaudited)  2019   2018   2019   2018   2019   2018   2019   2018   2019   2018 
Gross premiums written  $169,879   $125,315   $21,719   $20,190   $22,503   $21,674   $-   $-   $214,101   $167,179 
Ceded premiums written   (76,766)   (60,930)   (6,666)   (9,301)   (3,136)   (2,441)   -    -    (86,568)   (72,672)
Net premiums written   93,113    64,385    15,053    10,889    19,367    19,233    -    -    127,533    94,507 
Change in unearned premiums   (10,350)   (2,616)   108    6,747    1,558    (7,338)   -    -    (8,684)   (3,207)
Net premiums earned   82,763    61,769    15,161    17,636    20,925    11,895    -    -    118,849    91,300 
                                                   
Total revenues   86,719    66,776    16,152    18,569    22,683    13,732    3,508    (14,221)   129,062    84,856 
                                                   
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   104,351    46,267    16,339    10,834    19,614    7,359    -    -    140,304    64,460 
                                                   
Pre-tax income (loss)   (34,532)   7,800    (4,467)   1,851    (2,847)   2,400    (1,248)   (18,504)   (43,094)   (6,453)
                                                   
Net loss ratio (1)   126.1%   74.9%   107.8%   61.4%   93.7%   61.9%             118.1%   70.6%
Net expense ratio (1)   21.1%   21.9%   28.5%   33.7%   21.2%   21.3%             23.3%   25.7%
Net combined ratio (1)   147.2%   96.8%   136.3%   95.1%   114.9%   83.2%             141.4%   96.3%
                                                   
Favorable (Unfavorable) Prior Year Development   (48,906)   (727)   (4,234)   164    21    672    -    -    (53,119)   109 

 

 

 

(1)The net loss ratio is calculated as incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. The net expense ratio is calculated as total underwriting expenses offset by agency fee income divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. The net combined ratio is calculated as the sum of the net loss ratio and the net expense ratio.

 

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Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Segment Data

Fiscal Year Ended Dec. 31                          

 

   Specialty Commercial Segment   Standard Commercial Segment   Personal Segment   Corporate   Consolidated 
($ in thousands)  2019   2018   2019   2018   2019   2018   2019   2018   2019   2018 
Gross premiums written  $651,913   $501,806   $92,645   $86,121   $99,273   $75,088   $-   $-   $843,831   $663,015 
Ceded premiums written   (301,866)   (250,075)   (29,753)   (16,899)   (15,660)   (32,243)   -    -    (347,279)   (299,217)
Net premiums written   350,047    251,731    62,892    69,222    83,613    42,845    -    -    496,552    363,798 
Change in unearned premiums   (57,459)   6,455    1,078    3,099    (3,294)   (10,265)   -    -    (59,675)   (711)
Net premiums earned   292,588    258,186    63,970    72,321    80,319    32,580    -    -    436,877    363,087 
                                                   
Total revenues   309,619    280,283    68,179    76,548    88,225    38,623    20,348    (16,186)   486,371    379,268 
                                                   
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   248,781    194,268    50,036    39,396    63,348    22,364    -    -    362,165    256,028 
                                                   
Pre-tax income (loss)   (1,371)   28,780    (841)   13,090    427    3,061    753    (32,128)   (1,032)   12,803 
                                                   
Net loss ratio (1)   85.0%   75.2%   78.2%   54.5%   78.9%   68.6%             82.9%   70.5%
Net expense ratio (1)   21.8%   22.6%   30.0%   33.5%   22.7%   26.3%             25.1%   26.6%
Net combined ratio (1)   106.8%   97.8%   108.2%   88.0%   101.6%   94.9%             108.0%   97.1%
                                                   
Net Favorable (Unfavorable) Prior Year Development   (60,138)   (16,457)   (726)   8,993    (36)   1,511    -    -    (60,900)   (5,953)

 

 

 

(1)The net loss ratio is calculated as incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. The net expense ratio is calculated as total underwriting expenses offset by agency fee income divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. The net combined ratio is calculated as the sum of the net loss ratio and the net expense ratio.

 

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