- Gross premiums written during the first six months of 2017 increased 16.7% to $229.0 million compared to $196.2 million during the first six months of 2016.
- Net premiums earned during the first six months of 2017 increased 4.7% to $142.0 million, compared to $135.6 million during the first six months of 2016.
- Combined ratio during the second quarter of 2017 was 142.9%, reflecting a significant reserve strengthening, predominately for accident years 2015 and prior.
CARMEL, Ind., Aug. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. (NASDAQ:BWINA) (NASDAQ:BWINB) today reported results for the second quarter and first six months of 2017. The Company experienced a second quarter net loss of $12.3 million, or $0.82 per share, which compares to net income of $6.0 million, or $0.40 per share, for the prior year’s second quarter. For the first six months of 2017, net loss totaled $5.6 million, or $0.37 per share, which compares to net income of $20.1 million, or $1.33 per share, for the prior year period.
Gross premiums written for the current quarter increased 19.0% to $119.0 million compared to $100.0 million written during the second quarter of 2016. The increase was 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. Gross premiums written for the six months of 2017 increased 16.7% to $229.0 million compared to $196.2 million written during the first six months of 2016, with product group increases and decreases similar to those experienced in the second quarter.
Net premiums earned for the second quarter of 2017 were $68.0 million, 1.1% lower than last year’s second quarter total. This decrease in net premiums earned, compared to growth in gross premiums written, was a function of premium adjustment provisions in the Company’s historical commercial automobile reinsurance treaties. This historical reinsurance structure, which was revised in the Company’s current reinsurance treaty renewal, causes an adjustment for ceded premiums when the ultimate loss estimate changes for a reinsurance treaty year. For the first six months of 2017, net premiums earned increased 4.7% to $142.0 million.
Net investment income increased 32.9% to $4.7 million compared to $3.5 million in 2016, reflecting an increase in yields on the Company’s fixed maturity securities and an increase in dividends from the Company’s equity portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, net investment income increased 20.3% to $8.4 million, compared to $7.0 million in 2016, reflecting investment impacts similar to those experienced during the second quarter.
Underwriting operations produced a combined ratio of 142.9% during the second quarter of 2017, which compares to a combined ratio of 92.6% for the 2016 second quarter. The combined ratio difference reflects a significant reserve strengthening, predominately for accident years 2015 and prior. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the combined ratio was 120.4%, which compares to a combined ratio of 89.6% for the 2016 period with the difference due mainly to the 2017 second quarter reserve strengthening.
Book value per share on June 30, 2017 was $26.50, a decrease of $0.84 per share during the second quarter, after the payment of cash dividends to shareholders totaling $0.27 per share. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, book value per share has decreased $0.31 after the payment of cash dividends to shareholders totaling $0.54 per share. The combination of the year-to-date decrease in book value of $0.31, plus dividends paid to shareholders of $0.54, represents an annualized total value creation of 1.7% on beginning book value for the six months ended June 30, 2017.
The Company's net income (loss), 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 (loss) before federal income taxes (benefits) 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 | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||
| June 30 | June 30 | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Income (loss) | $ | (21,180 | ) | $ | 8,915 | $ | (11,002 | ) | $ | 30,353 | |||
| Less: Net realized gains on investments | 3,296 | 280 | 9,590 | 9,292 | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | (24,476 | ) | $ | 8,635 | $ | (20,592 | ) | $ | 21,061 | |||
| Less: Investment income | 4,716 | 3,549 | 8,408 | 6,988 | |||||||||
| Underwriting income (loss) | $ | (29,192 | ) | $ | 5,086 | $ | (29,000 | ) | $ | 14,073 | |||
Three months ended June 30, 2017
Operating Loss
Operating loss, before federal income tax benefits, was $24.5 million for the second quarter of 2017 which compares to operating income, before federal income taxes, of $8.6 million during the second quarter of 2016.
Six months ended June 30, 2017
Operating Loss
Operating loss, before federal income tax benefits, was $20.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 which compares to operating income, before federal income taxes, of $21.1 million during the 2016 period.
The Company’s management uses the term operating income, a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as income excluding pre-tax 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 that the defined term is used commonly in the property/casualty insurance industry and that equity analysts exclude gains and losses on investments in their analysis of the Company’s results for the same reason.
The combined ratios and the components thereof, as presented herein, are commonly used in the property/casualty insurance industry and are applied to the Company’s GAAP underwriting results.
Conference Call Information:
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. has scheduled its quarterly conference call for Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at 11:00 AM ET (New York time) to discuss results for the second quarter ended June 30, 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 August 16, 2017 by calling 1-844-512-2921 or 1-412-317-6671 and referencing passcode 13664381. 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 February 9, 2018. The webcast may be accessed directly at: http://public.viavid.com/player/index.php?id=124929.
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.
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.
| Financial Highlights (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||
| Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||
| June 30 | June 30 | |||||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||
| Operating revenue | $ | 74,112 | $ | 73,738 | $ | 152,759 | $ | 145,451 | ||||||
| Net realized gains on investments | 3,296 | 280 | 9,590 | 9,292 | ||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 77,408 | $ | 74,018 | $ | 162,349 | $ | 154,743 | ||||||
| Net operating income (loss) | $ | (14,485 | ) | $ | 5,787 | $ | (11,822 | ) | $ | 14,041 | ||||
| Net realized gains on investments, | ||||||||||||||
| net of federal income taxes | 2,142 | 182 | 6,234 | 6,040 | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (12,343 | ) | $ | 5,969 | $ | (5,588 | ) | $ | 20,081 | ||||
| Per share data - diluted: | ||||||||||||||
| Average number of shares | 15,122 | 15,084 | 15,122 | 15,084 | ||||||||||
| Net operating income (loss) | $ | (.96 | ) | $ | .39 | $ | (.78 | ) | $ | .93 | ||||
| Net investment gains | .14 | .01 | .41 | .40 | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (.82 | ) | $ | .40 | $ | (.37 | ) | $ | 1.33 | ||||
| Dividends paid to shareholders | $ | .27 | $ | .26 | $ | .54 | $ | .52 | ||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | ||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (12,343 | ) | $ | 5,969 | $ | (5,588 | ) | $ | 20,081 | ||||
| Unrealized net gains (losses) on securities | 3,480 | 3,800 | 8,815 | (4,250) | ||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | 388 | 124 | 453 | 543 | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (8,475 | ) | $ | 9,893 | $ | 3,680 | $ | 16,374 | |||||
| Annualized: | ||||||||||||||
| Total Value Creation 1 | (8.3% | ) | 9.8% | 1.7% | 8.2% | |||||||||
| Return on average shareholders' equity: | ||||||||||||||
| Net operating income (loss) | (15.8% | ) | 6.3% | (6.5% | ) | 7.7% | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | (13.5% | ) | 6.5% | (3.1% | ) | 11.1% | ||||||||
| Consolidated combined ratio of | ||||||||||||||
| insurance subsidiaries (GAAP basis): | 142.9% | 92.6% | 120.4% | 89.6% | ||||||||||
| 1 Total Value Creation equals: (1) change in book value plus dividends paid, divided by (2) beginning book value | ||||||||||||||