BIRMINGHAM, Mich., May 10, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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.”
2017 First Quarter Financial Results Overview
| At and for the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | % Change | ||||||||
| (dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||||||
| 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 | % | ||||||
| * The "Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures" section of this release defines and reconciles data that are not based on generally accepted accounting principles. | ||||||||||
| ** Percentage is not meaningful | ||||||||||
| (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. | ||||||||||
| (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. | ||||||||||
| (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. | ||||||||||
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.
Commercial Lines Financial and Operational Review
| Commercial Lines Financial Review | ||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | % Change | ||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| 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 | % | ||||||
| Contribution to combined ratio from net | ||||||||||
| (favorable) adverse prior year development | 14.3 | % | 2.3 | % | ||||||
| Accident year combined ratio (1) | 86.3 | % | 93.6 | % | ||||||
| (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. | ||||||||||
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%.
Personal Lines Financial and Operational Review
| Personal Lines Financial Review | ||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | % Change | ||||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| 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 | % | ||||||||||
| Contribution to combined ratio from net | ||||||||||||||
| (favorable) adverse prior year development | 5.3 | % | 24.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Accident year combined ratio | 109.5 | % | 103.1 | % | ||||||||||
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.
Combined Ratio Analysis
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | ||||||||
| Underwriting ratios: | ||||||||
| Loss ratio | 64.2 | % | 62.4 | % | ||||
| Expense ratio | 44.9 | % | 49.8 | % | ||||
| Combined ratio | 109.1 | % | 112.2 | % | ||||
| Contribution to combined ratio from net (favorable) | ||||||||
| adverse prior year development | 12.5 | % | 7.8 | % | ||||
| Accident year combined ratio | 96.6 | % | 104.4 | % | ||||
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.
The table below details the impact of the reserve strengthening on the Company’s loss ratio:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 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 | % | ||||
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.
Balance Sheet/Investment Overview
| March 31, | December 31, | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | |||||||||
| 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 | |||||||
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 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:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| (dollar in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (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 average 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 | ) | ||
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. and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||||
| (In thousands, except share data) | ||||||||
| March 31 | December 31, | |||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Assets | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | ||||||
| Investment securities: | ||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (amortized cost of $114,717 and $113,915, respectively) | $ | 114,086 | $ | 113,163 | ||||
| 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 and Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||
| 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 Statements of Operations (Unaudited) | |||||||
| (In thousands, except share and per share data) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended | |||||||
| March 31, | |||||||
| 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 | |||||