EXHIBIT 99
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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For: | | Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. |
| | 933 E. Main |
| | Fremont, Michigan 49412 |
Contact: | | Kevin Kaastra, Vice President of Finance, 231-924-0300 |
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 | | Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2008 Net Income of $1.1 Million, or $0.62 per Share |
Fremont, Michigan, August 6, 2008 — Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (Fremont) (OTC BB: FMMH) today reported:
• | | Second quarter recognized net income of $1.1 million, or $0.62 per diluted share / $2.2 million, or $1.22 per diluted share, year to date |
• | | Second quarter revenues grow to $12.5 million / $24.5 million, year to date |
• | | Second quarter combined ratio registered of 92.8% / 92.7%, year to date |
• | | Book value increased to $22.74 per share as of June 30, 2008 |
Consolidated Highlights
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| | Quarter Ended June 30, | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | % | | | 2008 | | 2007 | | % | |
Consolidated revenues | | $ | 12,462,149 | | $ | 11,523,842 | | 8.1 | % | | $ | 24,492,033 | | $ | 22,412,927 | | 9.3 | % |
Net income | | $ | 1,116,986 | | $ | 1,111,580 | | 0.5 | % | | $ | 2,221,440 | | $ | 1,915,055 | | 16.0 | % |
Weighted average shares outstanding | | | 1,781,154 | | | 1,779,280 | | 0.1 | % | | | 1,780,581 | | | 1,778,847 | | 0.1 | % |
Basic earnings per share | | $ | 0.63 | | $ | 0.62 | | 1.6 | % | | $ | 1.25 | | $ | 1.08 | | 15.7 | % |
Diluted earnings per share | | $ | 0.62 | | $ | 0.61 | | 1.6 | % | | $ | 1.22 | | $ | 1.06 | | 15.1 | % |
Operating income (1) | | $ | 1,537,972 | | $ | 1,338,870 | | 14.9 | % | | $ | 3,009,721 | | $ | 2,470,592 | | 21.8 | % |
Operating income per share (1) | | $ | 0.86 | | $ | 0.75 | | 14.7 | % | | $ | 1.69 | | $ | 1.39 | | 21.6 | % |
Book value per share | | $ | 22.74 | | $ | 20.60 | | 10.4 | % | | $ | 22.74 | | $ | 20.60 | | 10.4 | % |
(1) | Please refer to the Non-GAAP financial measures section of this release for further explanation of this measure. |
“Most financial service companies continued to be undervalued, even with some reporting strong growth and operating results,” stated Richard E. Dunning, President and CEO. “Our business fundamentals continue to provide excellent results in the marketplace. We recognize our commitment to our shareholders and agents, and this has been demonstrated during the first six months through our announcement of both a stock dividend and more recently a cash dividend. We also announced authorization to repurchase up to 100,000 shares of the Company’s stock.”
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
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| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Direct premiums written | | $ | 16,448,525 | | | $ | 14,536,048 | | | $ | 28,512,227 | | | $ | 25,498,953 | |
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Net premiums written | | $ | 13,659,528 | | | $ | 12,019,732 | | | $ | 23,236,394 | | | $ | 20,651,541 | |
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Net premiums earned | | $ | 11,778,423 | | | $ | 10,600,198 | | | $ | 22,995,328 | | | $ | 20,865,491 | |
Net investment income | | | 535,039 | | | | 518,353 | | | | 1,051,275 | | | | 1,009,760 | |
Net realized gains (losses) on investments | | | — | | | | 293,993 | | | | 158,602 | | | | 321,972 | |
Other income, net | | | 148,687 | | | | 111,298 | | | | 286,828 | | | | 215,704 | |
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Total revenues | | | 12,462,149 | | | | 11,523,842 | | | | 24,492,033 | | | | 22,412,927 | |
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Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, net | | | 6,910,578 | | | | 6,085,947 | | | | 13,247,077 | | | | 11,916,617 | |
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses | | | 4,013,599 | | | | 3,754,452 | | | | 8,076,633 | | | | 7,602,586 | |
Interest expense | | | — | | | | 50,580 | | | | — | | | | 101,160 | |
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Total expenses | | | 10,924,177 | | | | 9,890,979 | | | | 21,323,710 | | | | 19,620,363 | |
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Income before federal income tax expense | | | 1,537,972 | | | | 1,632,863 | | | | 3,168,323 | | | | 2,792,564 | |
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Federal income tax expense | | | 420,986 | | | | 521,283 | | | | 946,883 | | | | 877,509 | |
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Net income | | $ | 1,116,986 | | | $ | 1,111,580 | | | $ | 2,221,440 | | | $ | 1,915,055 | |
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Earnings per share | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | .63 | | | $ | .62 | | | $ | 1.25 | | | $ | 1.08 | |
Diluted | | $ | .62 | | | $ | .61 | | | $ | 1.22 | | | $ | 1.06 | |
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Combined ratio: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | | | 58.7 | % | | | 57.4 | % | | | 57.6 | % | | | 57.1 | % |
Expense ratio | | | 34.1 | % | | | 35.4 | % | | | 35.1 | % | | | 36.4 | % |
Combined ratio | | | 92.8 | % | | | 92.8 | % | | | 92.7 | % | | | 93.5 | % |
Direct premiums written increased 13.2% during the quarter and 11.8% year to date led by the personal and commercial segments. Despite experiencing storm related losses during the month of June the Company generated an underwriting profit of $854,000 during the second quarter and $1.7 million year to date. The Company’s second quarter combined ratio was 92.8% and 92.7% on a year to date basis. The Company’s expense ratio for the second quarter and year to date dropped 1.3 percentage points.
“Considering the competitive pricing pressure in the Michigan insurance market, our underwriting results have remained strong throughout the soft market cycle. Our results reflect the focus of all Fremont employees on writing and retaining profitable business,” stated Kevin Kaastra, Vice President of Finance. “We continue to expand upon and add to the strong core book of business that has been built over the last several years. The strength of Fremont’s book is a result of the quality target market business that we receive from our independent agency force and our strong partnership efforts.”
Net investment income increased 3.2% for the second quarter and 4.1% year to date. As of June 30, 2008, the tax equivalent book yield in the fixed portfolio was 5.31%, an increase of 19 basis points as compared to 5.12% as of June 30, 2007.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We believe that disclosure of certain Non-GAAP financial measures enhances investor understanding of our financial performance. The following Non-GAAP financial measures are utilized in this release:
Operating income is income before federal income tax expense excluding net realized investment gains. Because our calculation may differ from similar measurements used by other companies, investors should be careful when comparing our measure of operating income to that of other companies. We include this measurement because we believe it illustrates the performance of normal, ongoing operation, which is important in understanding and evaluating the company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Combined ratio is a commonly used financial measure of underwriting performance. A combined ratio below 100 percent generally indicates a profitable book of business. The combined ratio is the sum of two separately calculated ratios, the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio (referred to as the “loss and LAE ratio”) and the expense ratio. When prepared in accordance with GAAP, the loss and LAE ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of losses and loss adjustment expenses by net premium earned. The expense ratio is calculated by dividing policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses by net premiums earned.
About Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc.
Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. is the holding company for Fremont Insurance Company. Headquartered in Fremont, Michigan, the company provides property and casualty insurance to individuals, farms and small businesses exclusively in Michigan. Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp’s common stock is listed on the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) under the symbol “FMMH.”
Certain of the statements contained herein (other than statements of historical facts) are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include estimates and assumptions related to economic, competitive and legislative developments. These forward- looking statements are subject to change and uncertainty that are, in many instances, beyond the company’s control and have been made based upon management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. For a list of factors which could affect the Company’s results, see the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with management’s expectations so that the effect of future developments on the Company will be those anticipated by management.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
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| | June 30, 2008 | | December 31, 2007 |
Assets | | | | | | |
Investments: | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value | | $ | 52,251,394 | | $ | 50,528,874 |
Equity securities available for sale, at fair value | | �� | 7,613,834 | | | 8,305,133 |
Mortgage loans on real estate from related parties | | | 250,137 | | | 253,656 |
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Total investments | | | 60,115,365 | | | 59,087,663 |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | 4,375,054 | | | 4,033,158 |
Premiums due from policyholders, net | | | 8,409,165 | | | 7,852,730 |
Amounts due from reinsurers | | | 6,362,256 | | | 6,588,847 |
Prepaid reinsurance premiums | | | 385,440 | | | 258,875 |
Accrued investment income | | | 565,764 | | | 533,843 |
Deferred policy acquisition costs | | | 3,294,953 | | | 3,334,001 |
Deferred federal income taxes | | | 3,538,262 | | | 2,920,648 |
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | | | 2,563,189 | | | 2,500,988 |
Other assets | | | 4,812 | | | 43,905 |
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| | $ | 89,614,260 | | $ | 87,154,658 |
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Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | | | | | |
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Liabilities: | | | | | | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | | $ | 18,641,446 | | $ | 18,058,919 |
Unearned premiums | | | 23,085,792 | | | 22,727,515 |
Reinsurance balances payable | | | 54,284 | | | 199,463 |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 7,325,198 | | | 6,742,803 |
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Total liabilities | | | 49,106,720 | | | 47,728,700 |
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Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | |
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Stockholders’ Equity | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, no par value, authorized 4,500,000 shares, no shares issued and outstanding | | | — | | | — |
Class A common stock, no par value, authorized 5,000,000 shares, 1,781,154 and 1,779,321 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively | | | — | | | — |
Class B common stock, no par value, authorized 500,000 shares, no shares issued and outstanding | | | — | | | — |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 7,790,353 | | | 7,722,424 |
Retained earnings | | | 32,617,211 | | | 30,395,771 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | 99,976 | | | 1,307,763 |
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Total stockholders’ equity | | | 40,507,540 | | | 39,425,958 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 89,614,260 | | $ | 87,154,658 |
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