EXHIBIT 99.1
Donegal Group Inc. Announces Third Quarter Earnings
MARIETTA, Penn., Oct. 19, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Donegal Group Inc. (Nasdaq:DGICA) (Nasdaq:DGICB) today reported that its net income for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007 was $11,212,428, or $.45 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis, an increase of 14.2% over the $9,818,301, or $.39 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis, reported for the third quarter of 2006.
The Company's third quarter net income represented the highest quarterly earnings in its history and reflected excellent underwriting results attributable to the absence of significant weather events, reductions in claim frequency and favorable prior accident year claim settlements during the quarter.
Revenues for the third quarter of 2007 were $85,440,831, an increase of 3.4% over the third quarter of 2006, with net premiums earned of $77,609,940, a 2.5% increase over the year-earlier period. Net premiums written for the third quarter of 2007 were relatively unchanged from net premiums written for the third quarter of 2006.
The Company's combined ratio was 88.3% for the third quarter of 2007, compared to 89.5% for the third quarter of 2006. The Company's loss ratio for the third quarter of 2007 was 52.8%, compared to 56.2% for the third quarter of 2006, reflecting the aforementioned improvements in claim experience. The Company's expense ratio was 35.0% for the third quarter of 2007, compared to 32.6% for the third quarter of 2006, reflecting increased costs for the acquisition of new business and increased underwriting-based incentive compensation costs.
Net investment income increased to $5,812,669 for the third quarter of 2007, an increase of 7.9% over the $5,385,705 reported for the third quarter of 2006.
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $27,483,322, compared to $29,169,071 reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. On a diluted basis, net income per share of Class A common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $1.10, compared to $1.16 for the year-earlier period. The Company's combined ratio for the first nine months of 2007 was 91.5%, compared to the combined ratio of 89.3% posted for the comparable period in 2006. The Company's loss ratio was 57.0% for the first nine months of 2007, compared to 56.2% for the first nine months of 2006, with the increase reflecting increased weather-related claim activity in the first quarter of 2007. The Company's expense ratio was 34.2% for the first nine months of 2007, compared to 32.7% for the first nine months of 2006, with the increase representing increased costs for the acquisition of new business and increased underwriting-based incentive compensation costs.
"We are pleased to report record earnings for the third quarter, which we view to be a direct reflection of the underwriting discipline we have maintained in the midst of competitive insurance market conditions. We remain committed to the pursuit of profitable growth by expanding and developing our independent agency distribution system, and we continue to seek suitable acquisitions to grow our organization," stated Donald H. Nikolaus, President and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc.
The Company's book value increased to $13.66 per common share at September 30, 2007, representing an increase of 10.2% over the Company's book value of $12.39 per common share at September 30, 2006.
The Company's board of directors yesterday approved a quarterly cash dividend payable on November 15, 2007 of $.09 per share of Class A common stock and $.0775 per share of Class B common stock to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 1, 2007.
The Company uses the two-class method for the computation of earnings per common share pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share." The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share separately for each class of common stock based on dividends declared and an allocation of remaining undistributed earnings using a participation percentage reflecting the dividend rights of each class. The net income per common share and weighted-average number of shares outstanding for each class of common stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are presented in the tables that follow.
The Company will hold a conference call and webcast on Friday, October 19, 2007, beginning at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time. You may participate in the conference call by calling 1-800-599-9829 (Passcode 76596649) or listen via the Internet by accessing the webcast link in the Investors area of the Company's web site at www.donegalgroup.com. An instant replay of the conference call will be available until October 27, 2007 by calling 1-888-286-8010 (Passcode 19476331).
Donegal Group Inc. is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries offer personal and commercial property and casualty lines of insurance in five Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania), eight Southeastern states (Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) and five Midwestern states (Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Dakota).
All statements contained in this press release that are not historic facts are based on current expectations. Such statements are forward-looking in nature (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and necessarily involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially. The factors that could cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to maintain profitable operations, the adequacy of the Company's reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, business and economic conditions in the areas in which the Company operates, severe weather events, competition from various insurance and non-insurance businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, legal and judicial developments, changes in regulatory requirements and other risks that are described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements o r to announce publicly the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
Donegal Group Inc.
Financial Highlights
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
September 30
---------------------------
2007 2006
------------ ------------
Net premiums earned $ 77,609,940 $ 75,705,387
Investment income, net of
investment expenses 5,812,669 5,385,705
Net realized investment gains 488,226 152,694
Total revenues 85,440,831 82,619,657
Net income $ 11,212,428 $ 9,818,301
Net income per common share:
Class A common stock - basic $ 0.45 $ 0.40
Class A common stock - diluted $ 0.45 $ 0.39
Class B common stock - basic
and diluted $ 0.41 $ 0.36
Nine Months Ended
September 30
---------------------------
2007 2006
------------ ------------
Net premiums earned $231,882,586 $225,280,341
Investment income, net of
investment expenses 16,878,913 15,424,517
Net realized investment gains 653,656 1,034,741
Total revenues 253,728,023 245,763,039
Net income $ 27,483,322 $ 29,169,071
Net income per common share:
Class A common stock - basic $ 1.11 $ 1.20
Class A common stock - diluted $ 1.10 $ 1.16
Class B common stock - basic
and diluted $ 1.00 $ 1.08
Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
Quarter Ended September 30
---------------------------
2007 2006
------------ ------------
Net premiums earned $ 77,610 $ 75,705
Investment income, net of
investment expenses 5,813 5,386
Net realized investment gains 488 153
Lease income 268 244
Installment payment fees 1,262 1,132
------------ ------------
Total revenues 85,441 82,620
------------ ------------
Net losses and loss expenses 41,011 42,556
Amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs 12,940 12,152
Other underwriting expenses 14,218 12,550
Other expenses 484 490
Policyholder dividends 361 520
Interest 734 726
------------ ------------
Total expenses 69,748 68,994
------------ ------------
Income before income tax expense 15,693 13,626
Income tax expense 4,481 3,808
------------ ------------
Net income $ 11,212 $ 9,818
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Net income per common share:
Class A common stock - basic $ 0.45 $ 0.40
------------ ------------
Class A common stock - diluted $ 0.45 $ 0.39
------------ ------------
Class B common stock - basic
and diluted $ 0.41 $ 0.36
------------ ------------
Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data
Weighted-average number of
shares outstanding:
Class A common stock - basic 19,628,405 19,548,873
------------ ------------
Class A common stock - diluted 19,850,016 20,073,985
------------ ------------
Class B common stock - basic
and diluted 5,576,775 5,576,775
------------ ------------
Net written premiums $ 79,930 $ 80,393
------------ ------------
Book value per common share at end
of period $ 13.66 $ 12.39
------------ ------------
Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
Nine Months Ended
September 30
---------------------------
2007 2006
------------ ------------
Net premiums earned $ 231,882 $ 225,280
Investment income, net of
investment expenses 16,879 15,425
Net realized investment gains 654 1,035
Lease income 791 728
Installment payment fees 3,522 3,295
------------ ------------
Total revenues 253,728 245,763
------------ ------------
Net losses and loss expenses 132,155 126,628
Amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs 37,890 36,020
Other underwriting expenses 41,330 37,566
Other expenses 1,497 1,554
Policyholder dividends 868 1,042
Interest 2,160 2,062
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Total expenses 215,900 204,872
------------ ------------
Income before income tax expense 37,828 40,891
Income tax expense 10,345 11,722
------------ ------------
Net income $ 27,483 $ 29,169
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Net income per common share:
Class A common stock - basic $ 1.11 $ 1.20
------------ ------------
Class A common stock - diluted $ 1.10 $ 1.16
------------ ------------
Class B common stock - basic
and diluted $ 1.00 $ 1.08
------------ ------------
Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data
Weighted-average number of
shares outstanding:
Class A common stock - basic 19,674,869 19,314,741
------------ ------------
Class A common stock - diluted 19,967,126 19,936,533
------------ ------------
Class B common stock - basic
and diluted 5,576,775 5,576,775
------------ ------------
Net written premiums $ 242,909 $ 236,662
------------ ------------
Book value per common share at end
of period $ 13.66 $ 12.39
------------ ------------
Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
September 30, December 31,
2007 2006
------------ ------------
(unaudited)
ASSETS:
Investments:
Fixed maturities:
Held to maturity, at amortized cost $ 160,465 $ 169,178
Available for sale, at fair value 344,896 331,670
Equity securities, at fair value 43,960 40,542
Investments in affiliates 8,534 8,463
Short-term investments, at cost,
which approximates fair value 39,051 41,485
------------ ------------
Total investments 596,906 591,338
Cash 4,814 532
Premiums receivable 53,571 49,948
Reinsurance receivable 90,552 97,677
Accrued investment income 5,645 5,769
Deferred policy acquisition costs 26,909 24,739
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 49,777 44,377
Property and equipment, net 5,536 5,146
Deferred tax asset, net 8,238 9,086
Other assets 6,193 3,086
------------ ------------
Total assets $ 848,141 $ 831,698
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Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
(in thousands)
September 30, December 31,
2007 2006
------------ ------------
(unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Losses and loss expenses $ 242,000 $ 259,022
Unearned premiums 213,329 196,903
Accrued expenses 11,717 12,754
Subordinated debentures 30,929 30,929
Due to affiliate 485 1,567
Other liabilities 5,177 9,721
------------ ------------
Total liabilities 503,637 510,896
------------ ------------
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock -- --
Class A common stock 200 198
Class B common stock 56 56
Additional paid-in capital 154,417 152,392
Accumulated other comprehensive income 5,854 5,061
Retained earnings 187,429 163,987
Treasury stock, at cost (3,452) (892)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity 344,504 320,802
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $ 848,141 $ 831,698
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CONTACT: Donegal Group Inc.
Jeffrey D. Miller, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial
Officer
(717) 426-1931
Fax: (717) 426-7009
