NEW YORK, March 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Independence Corp. (Nasdaq:AMIC) today reported 2014 fourth-quarter and annual results.
Financial Results
AMIC reported net income of $2.1 million ($.26 per diluted share) for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to $0.4 million ($.05 per diluted share) for the three months ended December 31, 2013. AMIC reported net income of $5.3 million ($.65 per diluted share) for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $2.9 million ($.36 per diluted share) for the year ended December 31, 2013. Due to our profitability in 2014 and projected continuing profitable results, AMIC's net income for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014 was positively impacted by an increase of $2.5 million in the deferred tax asset related to our federal net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs").
Revenues decreased to $40.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to revenues of $42.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to a decrease in fee income from certain fully insured health subsidiaries. Revenues increased to $164.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to revenues of $153.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to an increase in premiums, fee income and agency income.
Chief Executive Officer's Comments
Roy Thung, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are delighted with the continuing growth in earned premium and with the profitability of business written by IHC Risk Solutions. We attribute the growth in our direct distribution to our enhanced sales force, focused underwriting and employer groups moving from fully insured to self-funding as they consider alternatives as a result of health care reform. We expect continued improvement in this line of business, as evidenced by the 38% growth in our direct business written for the twelve months ended January 2015, while maintaining consistent profit margins on a growing premium base. With respect to our fully insured operating companies, we continue to build out the direct-to-consumer distribution that is essential to our future growth as a specialty health company, and we are pleased with the growth and profitability of our ancillary lines of business. Our financial condition and balance sheet remain strong. We have no debt and have grown our book value to $11.34 per share at December 31, 2014 from $10.44 per share at December 31, 2013."
Valuation Allowance Relating to the Deferred Tax Asset
In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company further reduced the valuation allowance relating to the deferred tax asset, which caused a corresponding increase in such deferred tax asset. The valuation allowance relates to the likelihood that AMIC might not be able to fully utilize its prior tax year federal NOLs. AMIC reviews the valuation allowance on a quarterly basis to determine the reasonableness of the amount. Based upon AMIC's projections of future profitable results and profitability in 2014, it was appropriate to further reduce the valuation allowance in the fourth quarter of 2014 in the amount of $2.5 million, which resulted in an increase in net income.
Change in Accounting Principle
AMIC was acquired in a series of transactions by Independence Holding Company ("IHC") beginning in 2002 with a 19.9% equity investment and culminating in its current ownership of 90%. In March 2010, IHC increased its ownership to over 50% and, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), IHC established a new basis for AMIC's assets and liabilities in IHC's consolidated financial statements based on the fair value of AMIC's identifiable assets and liabilities assumed at that time. AMIC did not "push down" the new basis for its assets and liabilities; instead, AMIC maintained its historical basis in its assets and liabilities for the purpose of issuing its separate standalone financial statements. Accordingly, the reporting basis for AMIC's assets and liabilities included in the consolidated financial statements of IHC were different from the reporting basis for AMIC's assets and liabilities included in AMIC's previously reported separate standalone financial statements. During the second quarter of 2014, due to the lifting of certain restrictions and requirements relating to IHC's ownership of AMIC stock, AMIC has elected, for all periods presented, to reflect IHC's basis.
As a result of the above-mentioned change in accounting principle, the consolidated financial statements and financial information of AMIC reported prior to June 30, 2014 are not directly comparable to the financial statements and financial information of AMIC included in this news release. The differences relate to the write-off of goodwill, basis differences in intangible assets and related amortization, other assets, other investments, non-controlling interests in subsidiaries, taxes and related tax provisions, net income, additional paid-in capital, retained earnings and total shareholders' equity (including a corresponding change in book value per share). See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the December 31, 2014 Form 10-K for the impact of this adoption on AMIC's consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of income at and for the period ended December 31, 2013. The restatement resulted in the reduction of book value per share to correspond with IHC's carrying basis in AMIC.
About American Independence Corp.
American Independence Corp. is a holding company principally engaged in health insurance and reinsurance. It provides specialized health coverage and related services to commercial customers and individuals. Through Independence American Insurance Company and its other subsidiaries, it offers medical stop-loss, non-subscriber occupational accident, pet insurance, group major medical, short-term medical, vision, dental and various supplemental products, which are marketed through its subsidiaries IHC Specialty Benefits, Inc., IPA Direct, LLC and IPA Family, LLC. AMIC markets medical stop-loss through its marketing and administrative company IHC Risk Solutions, LLC.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements and information contained in this release may be considered "forward-looking statements," such as statements relating to management's views with respect to future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the markets in which American Independence Corp. (AMIC) operates, new federal or state governmental regulation, AMIC's ability to effectively operate, integrate and leverage any past or future strategic acquisition, and other factors which can be found in AMIC's other news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AMIC expressly disclaims any duty to update its forward-looking statements unless required by applicable law.
| American Independence Corp. | ||||
| Consolidated Statements of Income | ||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | ||||
| Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| Premiums earned | $ 33,551 | $ 33,745 | $ 133,606 | $ 127,203 |
| Fee and agency income | 6,437 | 8,448 | 27,918 | 22,421 |
| Net investment income | 557 | 562 | 2,202 | 2,104 |
| Net realized investment gains | 104 | 109 | 967 | 1,082 |
| Other income (loss) | (37) | 83 | 183 | 463 |
| Revenues | 40,612 | 42,947 | 164,876 | 153,273 |
| Insurance benefits, claims and reserves | 24,875 | 23,488 | 88,887 | 87,118 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 16,049 | 18,043 | 69,752 | 58,878 |
| Amortization and depreciation | 412 | 458 | 1,692 | 1,836 |
| Expenses | 41,336 | 41,989 | 160,331 | 147,832 |
| Income (loss) before income tax | (724) | 958 | 4,545 | 5,441 |
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (2,790) | 209 | (802) | 1,576 |
| Net income | 2,066 | 749 | 5,347 | 3,865 |
| Less: Net (income) loss attributable to the non-controlling interest | 28 | (349) | (97) | (983) |
| Net income attributable to American Independence Corp. | $ 2,094 | $ 400 | $ 5,250 | $ 2,882 |
| Basic income per common share: | ||||
| Net income attributable to | ||||
| American Independence Corp. common stockholders | $ .26 | $ .05 | $ .65 | $ .36 |
| Weighted-average shares outstanding | 8,079 | 8,073 | 8,077 | 8,076 |
| Diluted income per common share: | ||||
| Net income attributable to | ||||
| American Independence Corp. common stockholders | $ .26 | $ .05 | $ .65 | $ .36 |
| Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding | 8,093 | 8,093 | 8,103 | 8,084 |
| American Independence Corp. | ||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | ||
| December 31, | December 31, | |
| ASSETS: | 2014 | 2013 |
| Investments: | ||
| Securities purchased under agreements to resell | $ 3,143 | $ 3,563 |
| Trading securities | 1,138 | 859 |
| Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value | 73,608 | 68,222 |
| Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value | 1,013 | 988 |
| Total investments | 78,902 | 73,632 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 4,569 | 4,424 |
| Restricted cash | 18,881 | 10,067 |
| Accrued investment income | 652 | 604 |
| Premiums receivable | 13,257 | 14,364 |
| Net deferred tax asset | 12,025 | 11,172 |
| Due from reinsurers | 5,532 | 7,549 |
| Intangible assets | 9,915 | 11,408 |
| Accrued fee income | 4,469 | 2,332 |
| Due from securities brokers | 293 | 172 |
| Other assets | 17,286 | 17,450 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ 165,781 | $ 153,174 |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: | ||
| LIABILITIES: | ||
| Policy benefits and claims | $ 33,616 | $ 35,252 |
| Premium and claim funds payable | 18,881 | 10,067 |
| Commission payable | 4,672 | 5,455 |
| Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities | 11,283 | 13,251 |
| State income taxes payable | 597 | 544 |
| Due to securities brokers | 58 | 45 |
| Due to reinsurers | 2,334 | 1,177 |
| Total liabilities | 71,441 | 65,791 |
| STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: | ||
| American Independence Corp. stockholders' equity: | ||
| Preferred stock, $0.10 par value, 1,000 shares designated; no shares issued and outstanding | -- | -- |
| Common stock, $0.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized; 9,181,793 shares issued, respectively; 8,079,215 and 8,072,548 shares outstanding, respectively | 92 | 92 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 79,746 | 79,694 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (154) | (2,152) |
| Treasury stock, at cost, 1,102,578 and 1,109,245 shares, respectively | (10,243) | (10,305) |
| Retained earnings | 22,139 | 16,970 |
| Total American Independence Corp. stockholders' equity | 91,580 | 84,299 |
| Non-controlling interest in subsidiaries | 2,760 | 3,084 |
| Total equity | 94,340 | 87,383 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | $ 165,781 | $ 153,174 |