Quarterly Financial Results
First quarter 2019 net income was $7.0 million compared to $14.8 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease primarily reflects a higher net expense ratio stemming from the favorable impact of NBIC-related purchase accounting on the prior year quarter and a higher net loss ratio.
Gross premiums written were $210.3 million in first quarter 2019, up 2.9% from $204.4 million in the prior year quarter. The increase reflects better diversification, as premiums grew 6.6% outside Florida, but only 0.1% in Florida.Premiums-in-force were $930.1 million, up 0.7% year-over-year, including 4.7% growth outside Florida and a 2.4% decline in Florida. Sequentially,premiums-in-force increased 0.7%, including 1.8% growth outside Florida and a 0.3% decline in Florida.
Gross premiums earned were $228.6 million in first quarter 2019, up 0.6% from $227.2 million in the prior year quarter. The increase stems from the same items impacting gross premiums written.
The ceded premium ratio was 52.0% in first quarter 2019, down 1.3 points from 53.3% in the prior year quarter. The decrease is attributable to NBIC-related reinsurance synergies and a decline in NBIC’s gross quota share reinsurance program from 18.8% to 8.0%, partly offset by an increase in NBIC’s net quota share program from 49.5% to 52.0%.
The net loss ratio was 56.6% in first quarter 2019, up 6.6 points from 50.0% in the prior year quarter. The increase relates to higher current accident quarter net losses and LAE, partly offset by better reserve development and a lower ceded premium ratio.
The net expense ratio was 40.7% in first quarter 2019, up 8.5 points from 32.2% in the prior year quarter. The increase primarily stems from the favorable impact of NBIC-related purchase accounting on the prior year quarter and reduced ceding commission income in the current year quarter associated with a reduction to NBIC’s overall quota share reinsurance programs, partly offset by a lower ceded premium ratio.
The net combined ratio was 97.3% in first quarter 2019, up 15.1 points from 82.2% in the prior year quarter. The increase stems from higher net loss and expense ratios, as described above.
Book Value Analysis
Book value per share decreased 2.1% year-over-year to $14.78 at March 31, 2019, reflecting Heritage’s previously disclosed December 2018 refinancing transactions, but increased 2.4% sequentially, reflecting first quarter 2019’s profitability.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As Of | |
Book Value Per Share | | March 31, 2019 | | | December 31, 2018 | | | March 31, 2018 | |
Numerator: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stockholders’ equity | | $ | 435,087 | | | $ | 425,333 | | | $ | 388,893 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Denominator: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Shares Outstanding | | | 29,432,217 | | | | 29,477,756 | | | | 25,769,806 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Book Value Per Common Share | | $ | 14.78 | | | $ | 14.43 | | | $ | 15.09 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Conference Call Details:
Tuesday, March 7, 2019 – 8:30 a.m. EDT
ParticipantDial-in Numbers Toll Free:1-888-346-3095
Participant International Dial In:1-412-902-4258
Canada Toll Free:1-855-669-9657
Webcast:
To listen to the live webcast, please go to http://investors.heritagepci.com/. This webcast will be archived and accessible on the Company’s website.