Exhibit 99.1
Harleysville Group Inc. Reports First Quarter 2009 Results
First quarter highlights:
- Operating income of $0.63 per share; impacted by elevated property losses
- Statutory combined ratio1 of 101.9 percent
- Operating return on equity of 10.9 percent
- Book value of $23.82 per share; up 3 percent from year-end 2008
- Quarterly dividend of $0.30; represents 20 percent increase from a year ago
- Completed 20 percent of current $25 million share repurchase program
HARLEYSVILLE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2009--Harleysville Group Inc. (NASDAQ:HGIC) today reported diluted operating income of $0.63 per share for the first quarter of 2009, compared to $0.80 per share in the first quarter of 2008. Operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the company as net income excluding after-tax realized gains and losses on investments. See below for the company’s reported GAAP net income.
“For the first quarter of this year, we reported operating earnings of $0.63 per share, a combined ratio of 101.9 percent and an operating return on equity for the trailing 12 months of 10.9 percent,” commented Michael L. Browne, Harleysville Group’s president and chief executive officer. “Our first quarter results were adversely impacted by elevated property losses stemming from both severe winter weather and an unusually large number of fires. At the same time, our commercial casualty lines performed well, and our personal lines business showed strong profitability and solid growth over last year. Also, despite current market conditions, we continue to retain a high percentage of our quality business, which is a direct result of the trust our agents place in us and the strong relationships we have with our agency partners.
“We continue to maintain our solid capital base and a strong balance sheet, a modest debt-to-capital ratio of 16 percent2, a high-quality investment portfolio, a book value of $23.82 per share, and a premium-to-surplus ratio of 1.5 to 1—all of which provide the sound financial position for us to write our agents’ best business,” Browne continued. “The strength of our capital position and our confidence in the future are further evidenced by the growth in our dividend, which is 20 percent higher than it was a year ago, and the fact that we’ve completed 20 percent of the $25 million share repurchase program we announced earlier this year.”
The company reported diluted net income of $0.61 per share in the first quarter of 2009, compared to $0.79 per share in the first quarter of 2008. Realized investment losses after tax in the first quarter of 2009 were $0.02 per share, compared to a realized loss of $0.01 per share in the first quarter of 2008.
The company’s first quarter net written premiums decreased 6.5 percent to $216.8 million in 2009, compared to $231.9 million in the same period in 2008, excluding the non-recurring impact of the pooling change in 2008.
Harleysville Group’s overall statutory combined ratio was 101.9 percent in the first quarter of 2009, compared to 96.6 percent in the first quarter of 2008. Catastrophe losses added 0.8 points to the first quarter result in 2009, compared to 1.3 points in 2008. Adjusting for the one-time impact of the 2008 pooling change, the combined ratio in the first quarter of 2008 was 98.1 percent.
First quarter pretax investment income decreased 9.6 percent to $26.4 million, while after-tax investment income was down 7.4 percent in the first quarter to $19.6 million. Operating cash flow for the first quarter was $11.7 million, compared to $32.3 million in the first quarter of 2008, excluding the non-recurring impact of the pooling change in 2008.
Commercial lines Net written premiums in commercial lines decreased 8.9 percent to $178.4 million in the first quarter of 2009. The commercial lines statutory combined ratio was 102.6 percent in the first quarter of 2009, versus 99.0 percent in the first quarter of 2008, adjusting for the non-recurring impact of the pooling change in 2008.
Personal lines Net written premiums in personal lines were up 6.6 percent to $38.4 million in the first quarter of 2009. Harleysville Group’s personal lines statutory combined ratio was 98.9 percent in the first quarter of 2009, versus 94.0 percent during the first quarter of 2008, adjusting for the non-recurring impact of the pooling change in 2008.
Outlook “We are committed to retaining our best business, as well as generating responsible, profitable growth,” Browne said. “But, we are not going to compromise underwriting quality to chase a near-term growth goal. Instead, we will remain disciplined—despite the current soft market conditions and the difficult economy—as we focus on the basics of our business in order to maintain a long-term underwriting profit, an operating return on equity of 12 percent or better, and improvement in our performance throughout 2009 and beyond.”
Webcast The company will host a live Webcast tomorrow, April 22, 2009, at 8 a.m. (ET) to discuss its first quarter results. The Webcast and a replay will be available from the Investors section of the company’s Web site (www.harleysvillegroup.com).
GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures The company uses a non-GAAP financial measure called “operating income” that management believes is useful to investors because it illustrates the performance of normal, ongoing operations, which is important in understanding and evaluating the company’s financial condition and results of operations. While this measure is utilized by investors to evaluate performance, it is not a substitute for the U.S. GAAP financial measure of net income. Therefore, a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the U.S. GAAP financial measure of net income is provided following the Consolidated Statements of Income contained in this release. Management also uses operating income for, among other things, goal setting, determining employee and senior management compensation, and evaluating performance.
Corporate profile Harleysville Insurance is a leading regional provider of insurance products and services for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as for individuals, and ranks among the top 60 U.S. property/casualty insurance groups based on net written premiums. As a Trusted Choice® company partner, Harleysville distributes its products exclusively through a network of independent agents primarily across 32 states. Harleysville was listed recently as #30 in the InformationWeek 500, the publication’s annual listing of the most innovative information technology organizations in the U.S., and has been ranked on the list in each of the last three years. Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company owns 52 percent of Harleysville Group Inc. (NASDAQ: HGIC), a publicly traded holding company for eight regional property/casualty insurance companies collectively rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Harleysville Group is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, which is comprised of the top third of all NASDAQ member companies and has the highest initial listing standards of any exchange in the world based on financial and liquidity requirements. Harleysville Group has paid a dividend every quarter since the company went public in 1986, and was recognized with a 2009 Mergent Dividend Achiever Award for its long-term history of dividend increases. Further information can be found on the company’s Web site at www.harleysvillegroup.com.
Forward-looking information 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 Harleysville Group Inc. There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with management’s expectations so that the effect of future developments on Harleysville Group will be those anticipated by management. Actual financial results, including operating return on equity, premium growth and underwriting results, could differ materially from those anticipated by Harleysville Group depending on the outcome of certain factors, which may include changes in property and casualty loss trends and reserves; catastrophe losses; the insurance product pricing environment; changes in applicable law; government regulation and changes therein that may impede the ability to charge adequate rates; performance of and instability in the financial markets; investment losses; fluctuations in interest rates; availability and price of reinsurance; and the status of the labor markets in which the company operates.
1 “Statutory combined ratio” is a non-GAAP measure of underwriting profitability and is based on numbers determined under statutory accounting practices as filed with state insurance regulators. It is the sum of the ratio of losses to premiums earned plus the ratio of underwriting expenses to premiums written. A ratio of less than 100 percent indicates underwriting profitability.
2 Excludes the effects of SFAS No. 115.
| Harleysville Group Inc. and Subsidiaries |
| FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | | Quarter ended March 31 |
| (in thousands, except per share data) | | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| OPERATING RESULTS | | | | |
| Diluted earnings per common share: | | | | |
| Operating income* | | | $0.63 | | $0.80 | |
| Realized investment losses, net of income taxes benefit | | | (0.02 | ) | (0.01 | ) |
| Net income | | | $0.61 | | $0.79 | |
| Cash dividend per common share | | | $0.30 | | $0.25 | |
| | | | |
| FINANCIAL CONDITION | | March 31, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 |
| Assets | | $3,162,276 | | $3,155,318 | |
| Shareholders' equity | | $671,655 | | $652,634 | |
| Per common share | | $23.82 | | $23.18 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | |
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME | | | Quarter ended March 31 |
| (in thousands, except per share data) | | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| REVENUES: | | | | |
| Premiums earned | | | $218,023 | | $229,373 | |
| Investment income, net of investment expense | | | 26,389 | | 29,198 | |
| Realized investment losses | | | (943 | ) | (232 | ) |
| Other income | | | 3,425 | | 3,516 | |
| Total revenues | | | 246,894 | | 261,855 | |
| LOSSES AND EXPENSES: | | | | |
| Losses and loss settlement expenses | | | 146,729 | | 147,310 | |
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | | | 54,097 | | 56,956 | |
| Other underwriting expenses | | | 20,726 | | 20,911 | |
| Interest expense | | | 1,622 | | 1,672 | |
| Other expenses | | | 812 | | 1,160 | |
| Total expenses | | | 223,986 | | 228,009 | |
| Income before income taxes | | | 22,908 | | 33,846 | |
| Income taxes | | | 5,619 | | 9,704 | |
| Net income | | | $17,289 | | $24,142 | |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | | | | |
| Basic | | | 28,292,198 | | 30,312,191 | |
| Diluted | | | 28,462,886 | | 30,607,373 | |
| Per common share: | | | | |
| Basic earnings | | | $0.61 | | $0.80 | |
| | | | |
| Diluted earnings | | | $0.61 | | $0.79 | |
| | | | | |
| RECONCILIATION TO OPERATING INCOME : | | | | |
| Net income | | | $17,289 | | $24,142 | |
| Less realized investment losses, net of income taxes benefit | | | (613 | ) | (151 | ) |
| Operating income | | | $17,902 | | $24,293 | |
| | | | |
| These financial figures are unaudited. | | | | |
*Operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the company as net income excluding after-tax realized gains and losses on investments.
| | | | | |
| Harleysville Group Inc. and Subsidiaries |
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | | | | | |
| (in thousands, except share data) | | | March 31, 2009* | | December 31, 2008 |
| ASSETS | | | | | |
| Investments: | | | | | |
| Fixed maturities: | | | | | |
Held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $241,732 and $250,798) | | | $235,645 | | | $246,855 | |
Available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,971,905 and $1,889,778) | | | 2,021,513 | | | 1,914,051 | |
| Equity securities, at fair value (cost $134,162 and $96,004) | | | 126,597 | | | 98,815 | |
| Short-term investments, at cost, which approximates fair value | | | 114,658 | | | 210,682 | |
| Other invested assets, at cost, which approximates fair value | | | 2,804 | | | 3,189 | |
| Total investments | | | 2,501,217 | | | 2,473,592 | |
| Cash | | | 146 | | | 146 | |
| Premiums in course of collection | | | 140,639 | | | 142,602 | |
| Reinsurance receivable | | | 208,293 | | | 212,654 | |
| Accrued investment income | | | 25,069 | | | 25,630 | |
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | | | 110,944 | | | 110,339 | |
| Prepaid reinsurance premiums | | | 38,956 | | | 41,481 | |
| Property and equipment, net | | | 13,151 | | | 12,511 | |
| Deferred income taxes | | | 64,085 | | | 68,892 | |
| Due from affiliate | | | 2,060 | | | |
| Other assets | | | 57,716 | | | 67,471 | |
| Total assets | | | $3,162,276 | | | $3,155,318 | |
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | | | | | |
| Liabilities: | | | | | |
| Unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses | | | $1,776,893 | | | $1,767,601 | |
| Unearned premiums | | | 480,799 | | | 484,560 | |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | | 114,429 | | | 119,063 | |
| Due to affiliate | | | | | 12,960 | |
| Debt | | | 118,500 | | | 118,500 | |
| Total liabilities | | | 2,490,621 | | | 2,502,684 | |
| Shareholders' equity: | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $1 par value; authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued | | | | | |
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 80,000,000 shares; issued 34,458,922 and 34,254,581 shares; outstanding 28,192,769 and 28,156,672 shares | | | 34,459 | | | 34,254 | |
| Additional paid-in capital | | | 236,533 | | | 231,715 | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (7,371 | ) | | (17,390 | ) |
| Retained earnings | | | 597,959 | | | 589,146 | |
| Treasury stock, at cost, 6,266,153 and 6,097,909 shares | | | (189,925 | ) | | (185,091 | ) |
| Total shareholders' equity | | | 671,655 | | | 652,634 | |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | | | $3,162,276 | | | $3,155,318 | |
| | | | | |
| *These financial figures are unaudited. |
| |
| Harleysville Group Inc. and Subsidiaries | |
| SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL ANALYSTS' DATA | | | | | |
| | | Quarter ended March 31 | |
| (dollars in thousands) | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| Net premiums written* | | $216,787 | | | $277,578 | |
| Statutory surplus* | | $596,457 | | | $671,138 | |
| | | | | |
| Pretax investment income | | $26,389 | | | $29,198 | |
| Related federal income taxes | | 6,796 | | | 8,033 | |
| After-tax investment income | | $19,593 | | | $21,165 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| SEGMENT INFORMATION | | | | | |
| | | Quarter ended March 31 | |
| (dollars in thousands) | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| Revenues: | | | | | |
| Premiums earned: | | | | | |
| Commercial lines | | $177,678 | | | $189,512 | |
| Personal lines | | 40,345 | | | 39,861 | |
| Total premiums earned | | 218,023 | | | 229,373 | |
| Net investment income | | 26,389 | | | 29,198 | |
| Realized investment losses | | (943 | ) | | (232 | ) |
| Other | | 3,425 | | | 3,516 | |
| Total revenues | | $246,894 | | | $261,855 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Income before income taxes: | | | | | |
| Underwriting gain (loss): | | | | | |
| Commercial lines | | ($4,876 | ) | | ($9,531 | ) |
| Personal lines | | 1,055 | | | 1,697 | |
| SAP underwriting loss | | (3,821 | ) | | (7,834 | ) |
| GAAP adjustments | | 292 | | | 12,030 | |
| GAAP underwriting gain (loss) | | (3,529 | ) | | 4,196 | |
| Net investment income | | 26,389 | | | 29,198 | |
| Realized investment losses | | (943 | ) | | (232 | ) |
| Other | | 991 | | | 684 | |
| Income before income taxes | | $22,908 | | | $33,846 | |
| | | | | |
| Income taxes on net investment income | | $6,796 | | | $8,033 | |
| Income taxes (benefit) on remaining gain (loss) | | (1,177 | ) | | 1,671 | |
| Total income taxes | | $5,619 | | | $9,704 | |
| | | | | |
| Effective tax rate on: | | | | | |
| Net investment income | | 25.8 | % | | 27.5 | % |
| Income | | 24.5 | % | | 28.7 | % |
| |
| These financial figures are unaudited. |
| |
*Statutory data is a non-GAAP measure. Because it is prepared in accordance with statutory accounting rules as defined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, a reconciliation to GAAP is not required. |
| | |
| Harleysville Group Inc. and Subsidiaries |
| STATUTORY DATA BY LINE OF BUSINESS* | | |
| | | | Quarter ended March 31 | |
| | | Without Intercompany | |
| | | | Pooling Transfer** | |
| (dollars in thousands) | | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2008 |
| | | | | | |
| Net premiums written: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Commercial: | | | | | | |
| Automobile | | $47,402 | | | $52,456 | | | $62,759 | |
| Workers' compensation | | 25,746 | | | 30,830 | | | 35,938 | |
| Commercial multi-peril | | 84,013 | | | 90,839 | | | 108,469 | |
| Other commercial | | 21,202 | | | 21,690 | | | 25,875 | |
| | | | | | | |
| Total commercial | | $178,363 | | | $195,815 | | | $233,041 | |
| | | | | | |
| Personal: | | | | | | |
| Automobile | | $19,454 | | | $18,113 | | | $21,972 | |
| Homeowners | | 16,336 | | | 15,750 | | | 19,882 | |
| Other personal | | 2,634 | | | 2,182 | | | 2,683 | |
| | | | | | | |
| Total personal | | $38,424 | | | $36,045 | | | $44,537 | |
| | | | | | |
| Total personal and commercial | | $216,787 | | | $231,860 | | | $277,578 | |
| | | | | | |
| Statutory combined ratios: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Commercial: | | | | | | |
| Automobile | | 89.2 | % | | 93.7 | % | | 92.2 | % |
| Workers' compensation | | 107.7 | % | | 111.7 | % | | 110.7 | % |
| Commercial multi-peril | | 107.8 | % | | 102.6 | % | | 101.1 | % |
| Other commercial | | 107.6 | % | | 82.4 | % | | 80.8 | % |
| | | | | | |
| Total commercial | | 102.6 | % | | 99.0 | % | | 97.6 | % |
| | | | | | |
| Personal: | | | | | | |
| Automobile | | 107.0 | % | | 97.9 | % | | 96.3 | % |
| Homeowners | | 94.5 | % | | 93.8 | % | | 91.1 | % |
| Other personal | | 77.7 | % | | 69.2 | % | | 68.9 | % |
| | | | | | |
| Total personal | | 98.9 | % | | 94.0 | % | | 92.1 | % |
| | | | | | |
| Total personal and commercial statutory combined ratio | | 101.9 | % | | 98.1 | % | | 96.6 | % |
| | | | | | |
| GAAP combined ratio | | 101.6 | % | | | | 98.2 | % |
| | | | | | |
| GAAP losses paid | | $134,032 | | | $129,651 | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Net catastrophe losses incurred | | $1,715 | | | | | $3,026 | |
| |
| These financial figures are unaudited. |
| |
*Statutory data is a non-GAAP measure. Because it is prepared in accordance with statutory accounting rules as defined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, a reconciliation to GAAP is not required. |
| |
**The effect of the January 1, 2008, pooling transfer of $45,718,282 of net premiums written (representing the transfer of the January 1, 2008, unearned premium balance) and the effect of the pool transfer on the statutory combined ratios are excluded below for comparative purposes. |
CONTACT:
Harleysville Group Inc.
Investors:
Mark Cummins, 215-256-5025
mcummins@harleysvillegroup.com
or
Media:
Randy Buckwalter, 215-256-5288
rbuckwalter@harleysvillegroup.com
