1
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
FORM 10-Q
/X/ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 1999
OR
/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
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Commission File Number 33-94670-01
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FARMERS GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEVADA
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
95-0725935
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
4680 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90010
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(323) 932-3200
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter
period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes /X/ No / /
Registrant's Common Stock outstanding on June 30, 1999 was 1,000 shares.
2
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FARMERS GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1999
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE
----
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets - Assets
June 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998 4
Consolidated Balance Sheets - Liabilities and Stockholders'
Equity
June 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998 5
Consolidated Statements of Income
Six Month Periods ended June 30, 1999 and
June 30, 1998 6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Six Month Periods ended June 30, 1999 and
June 30, 1998 7
Consolidated Statements of Income
Three Month Periods ended June 30, 1999 and
June 30, 1998 8
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Three Month Periods ended June 30, 1999 and
June 30, 1998 9
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity
Six Month Period ended June 30, 1999 10
Consolidated Statement of Stockholder's Equity
Six Month Period ended June 30, 1998 11
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Six Month Periods ended June 30, 1999 and
June 30, 1998 12
Notes to Interim Financial Statements 13
ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations 18
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks 25
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 26
SIGNATURES 27
4
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FARMERS GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
June 30, December 31,
1999 1998
------------- ------------
Current assets, excluding Insurance Subsidiaries:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 44,045 $ 253,828
Marketable securities, at market value 32,621 53,536
Accrued interest 31,909 32,542
Accounts receivable, principally from the P&C Group 66,911 35,271
Notes receivable - affiliate 190,000 0
Deferred taxes 28,877 27,044
Prepaid expenses and other 28,322 22,126
------------- ------------
Total current assets 422,685 424,347
------------- ------------
Investments, excluding Insurance Subsidiaries:
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at market value
(cost: $711,357 and $597,262) 709,984 608,539
Mortgage loans on real estate 172 196
Common stocks available-for-sale, at market value
(cost: $318,792 and $278,107) 390,536 354,465
Certificates of contribution of the P&C Group 23,330 34,380
Real estate, at cost (net of accumulated depreciation:
$40,122 and $32,363) 69,331 62,820
Joint ventures, at equity 840 840
------------- ------------
1,194,193 1,061,240
------------- ------------
Other assets, excluding Insurance Subsidiaries:
Notes receivable - affiliate 1,057,000 1,057,000
Goodwill (net of accumulated amortization:
$630,462 and $600,440) 1,771,293 1,801,315
Attorney-in-fact contracts (net of accumulated amortization:
$448,622 and $427,260) 1,260,421 1,281,783
Other assets 261,841 258,912
------------- ------------
4,350,555 4,399,010
------------- ------------
Properties, plant and equipment, at cost: (net of accumulated
depreciation: $306,330 and $293,425) 422,403 402,061
------------- ------------
Investments of Insurance Subsidiaries:
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at market value
(cost: $4,414,196 and $4,178,305) 4,397,330 4,356,066
Mortgage loans on real estate 39,497 52,879
Non-redeemable preferred stocks available-for-sale, at market
value (cost: $1,153 and $1,153) 1,247 1,270
Common stocks available-for-sale, at market value
(cost: $98,277 and $98,399) 116,071 106,095
Surplus note of the P&C Group 119,000 119,000
Policy loans 193,088 185,211
Real estate, at cost (net of accumulated depreciation:
$27,264 and $28,366) 52,534 59,047
Joint ventures, at equity 7,953 8,456
S&P 500 call options, at fair value (cost: $15,210 and $11,305) 25,227 14,817
------------- ------------
4,951,947 4,902,841
------------- ------------
Other assets of Insurance Subsidiaries:
Cash and cash equivalents 28,356 73,724
Reinsurance premiums receivable - P&C Group 19,877 80,124
Accrued investment income 64,032 59,910
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of life business
acquired 848,421 801,690
Securities lending collateral 403,338 461,801
Other assets 39,862 19,856
------------- ------------
1,403,886 1,497,105
------------- ------------
Total assets $ 12,745,669 $ 12,686,604
============= ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim financial statements.
5
FARMERS GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
June 30, December 31,
1999 1998
------------ ------------
Current liabilities, excluding Insurance Subsidiaries:
Notes and accounts payable:
P&C Group $ 279 $ 137
Other 58,991 28,420
Accrued liabilities:
Profit sharing 26,045 50,404
Income taxes 67,542 69,906
Other 15,283 30,724
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 168,140 179,591
------------ ------------
Other liabilities, excluding Insurance Subsidiaries:
Real estate mortgages payable 23 25
Non-current deferred taxes 600,415 601,047
Other 148,216 136,135
------------ ------------
748,654 737,207
------------ ------------
Liabilities of Insurance Subsidiaries:
Policy liabilities:
Future policy benefits 3,302,786 3,184,248
Claims 29,543 26,177
Policyholder dividends 1 1
Other policyholder funds 56,918 57,357
Provision for non-life losses and loss adjustment expenses 102,579 105,944
Income taxes (including deferred taxes: $111,815 and $164,729) 123,419 168,618
Unearned investment income 983 971
Reinsurance payable - P&C Group 153,601 167,709
Securities lending liability 403,338 461,801
Other liabilities 79,508 62,573
------------ ------------
4,252,676 4,235,399
------------ ------------
Total liabilities 5,169,470 5,152,197
------------ ------------
Commitments and contingencies
Company obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
securities of subsidiary trusts holding solely junior
subordinated debentures 500,000 500,000
------------ ------------
Stockholders' Equity:
Class A common stock, $1 par value per share; authorized, issued
and outstanding: as of June 30, 1999 and
December 31, 1998 - 500 shares 0.5 0.5
Class B common stock, $1 par value per share; authorized, issued
and outstanding: as of June 30, 1999 and
December 31, 1998 - 500 shares 0.5 0.5
Additional capital 5,212,618 5,212,618
Accumulated other comprehensive income (net of deferred
taxes: $24,685 and $77,897) 45,843 144,742
Retained earnings 1,817,737 1,677,046
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity 7,076,199 7,034,407
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 12,745,669 $ 12,686,604
============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim financial statements.
6
FARMERS GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Six month period
ended June 30,
------------------------
1999 1998
----------- -----------
Consolidated operating revenues $ 1,626,737 $ 1,512,359
=========== ===========
Management services to property and casualty
insurance companies; and other:
Operating revenues $ 741,090 $ 671,912
----------- ----------
Operating expenses 402,243 369,420
Merger related expenses 244 0
----------- ----------
Total expenses 402,487 369,420
----------- ----------
Operating income 338,603 302,492
Net investment income 57,369 76,974
Net realized gains 33,839 18,529
Dividends on preferred securities of subsidiary trusts (21,035) (21,035)
----------- ----------
Income before provision for taxes 408,776 376,960
Provision for income taxes 166,663 151,126
----------- ----------
Management services income 242,113 225,834
----------- ----------
Insurance Subsidiaries:
Life premiums 103,904 84,232
Non-life reinsurance premiums 500,000 500,000
Life policy charges 104,812 103,055
Investment income, net of expenses 164,334 146,549
Net realized gains 12,597 6,611
----------- -----------
Total revenues 885,647 840,447
----------- -----------
Non-life losses and loss adjustment expenses 328,671 330,746
Life policyholders' benefits and charges 174,057 149,103
Non-life reinsurance commissions 158,838 156,754
General operating expenses 80,143 74,929
----------- -----------
Total operating expenses 741,709 711,532
----------- -----------
Income before provision for taxes 143,938 128,915
Provision for income taxes 48,360 46,237
----------- -----------
Insurance Subsidiaries income 95,578 82,678
----------- -----------
Consolidated net income $ 337,691 $ 308,512
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim financial statements.
7
FARMERS GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Six month period
ended June 30,
------------------------
1999 1998
----------- -----------
Consolidated net income $ 337,691 $ 308,512
----------- -----------
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) on securities:
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) arising during the period,
net of tax of ($59,112) and $12,706 (109,856) 23,647
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains
included in net income, net of tax of ($10,931)
and ($1,759) (20,301) (3,266)
----------- -----------
Net unrealized holding gains/(losses) on securities,
net of tax of ($70,043) and $10,947 (130,157) 20,381
Change in effect of unrealized gains/(losses) on other
insurance accounts, net of tax of $16,831 and ($142) 31,258 (263)
----------- -----------
Other comprehensive income/(loss) (98,899) 20,118
----------- -----------
Comprehensive income $ 238,792 $ 328,630
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim financial statements.
8
FARMERS GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three month period
ended June 30,
------------------------
1999 1998
----------- -----------
Consolidated operating revenues $ 824,584 $ 759,211
=========== ===========
Management services to property and casualty
insurance companies; and other:
Operating revenues $ 375,312 $ 336,373
----------- ----------
Operating expenses 205,482 185,771
Merger related expenses 0 0
----------- ----------
Total expenses 205,482 185,771
----------- ----------
Operating income 169,830 150,602
Net investment income 28,607 37,174
Net realized gains 34,072 8,716
Dividends on preferred securities of subsidiary trusts (10,517) (10,517)
----------- ----------
Income before provision for taxes 221,992 185,975
Provision for income taxes 89,885 74,300
----------- ----------
Management services income 132,107 111,675
----------- ----------
Insurance Subsidiaries:
Life premiums 56,094 43,140
Non-life reinsurance premiums 250,000 250,000
Life policy charges 52,756 51,636
Investment income, net of expenses 83,093 75,051
Net realized gains 7,329 3,011
----------- -----------
Total revenues 449,272 422,838
----------- -----------
Non-life losses and loss adjustment expenses 160,755 154,123
Life policyholders' benefits and charges 87,824 76,477
Non-life reinsurance commissions 82,995 89,627
General operating expenses 41,152 37,901
----------- -----------
Total operating expenses 372,726 358,128
----------- -----------
Income before provision for taxes 76,546 64,710
Provision for income taxes 26,007 22,585
----------- -----------
Insurance Subsidiaries income 50,539 42,125
----------- -----------
Consolidated net income $ 182,646 $ 153,800
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim financial statements.
9
FARMERS GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three month period
ended June 30,
------------------------
1999 1998
----------- -----------
Consolidated net income $ 182,646 $ 153,800
----------- -----------
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) on securities:
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) arising during the
period, net of tax of ($26,715) and $356 (49,612) 684
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains
included in net income, net of tax of ($11,412)
and ($2,531) (21,195) (4,700)
----------- -----------
Net unrealized holding losses on securities,
net of tax of ($38,127) and ($2,175) (70,807) (4,016)
Change in effect of unrealized gains on other
insurance accounts, net of tax of $8,686 and
$553 16,131 1,027
----------- -----------
Other comprehensive loss (54,676) (2,989)
----------- -----------
Comprehensive income $ 127,970 $ 150,811
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim financial statements.
10
FARMERS GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the six month period ended June 30, 1999
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Accumulated Other Total
Common Additional Comprehensive Retained Stockholders'
Stock Capital Income Earnings Equity
-------- ----------- ----------------- ------------ ------------
Balance, December 31, 1998 $ 1 $ 5,212,618 $ 144,742 $ 1,677,046 $ 7,034,407
Net income 337,691 337,691
Unrealized holding losses
arising during the period,
net of tax of ($59,112) (109,856) (109,856)
Reclassification adjustment
for gains included in net
income, net of tax of ($10,931) (20,301) (20,301)
Change in effect of unrealized
gains on other insurance
accounts, net of tax of $16,831 31,258 31,258
Cash dividends paid (197,000) (197,000)
-------- ----------- ---------------- ------------ ------------
Balance, June 30, 1999 $ 1 $ 5,212,618 $ 45,843 $ 1,817,737 $ 7,076,199
======== =========== ================ ============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim financial statements.
11
FARMERS GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
For the six month period ended June 30, 1998
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Accumulated Other Total
Common Additional Comprehensive Retained Stockholder's
Stock Capital Income Earnings Equity
-------- ----------- ----------------- ------------ ------------
Balance, December 31, 1997 $ 1 $ 5,212,618 $ 113,549 $ 1,455,406 $ 6,781,574
Net income 308,512 308,512
Unrealized holding gains
arising during the period,
net of tax of $12,706 23,647 23,647
Reclassification adjustment
for gains included in net
income, net of tax of ($1,759) (3,266) (3,266)
Change in effect of unrealized
losses on other insurance
accounts, net of tax of ($142) (263) (263)
Cash dividends paid (88,800) (88,800)
-------- ----------- ---------------- ------------ ------------
Balance, June 30, 1998 $ 1 $ 5,212,618 $ 133,667 $1,675,118 $ 7,021,404
======== =========== ================ ============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim financial statements.
12
FARMERS GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Six month period
ended June 30,
-----------------------
1999 1998
---------- ----------
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Consolidated net income $ 337,691 $ 308,512
Non-cash and operating activities adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization 80,341 93,915
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and
value of life business acquired 25,905 43,868
Policy acquisition costs deferred (24,547) (47,569)
Life insurance policy liabilities 29,218 12,321
Provision for non-life losses and loss adjustment expenses (3,365) 102,715
Universal life type contracts:
Deposits received 150,750 149,211
Withdrawals (126,217) (119,934)
Interest credited 35,552 33,210
Equity in earnings of joint ventures (4,303) (888)
Gain on sales of assets (46,712) (24,880)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Current assets and liabilities 20,165 (52,101)
Non-current assets and liabilities (43,654) 15,558
Other, net 2,519 (14,131)
---------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities 433,343 499,807
---------- -----------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments available-for-sale (1,044,658) (881,627)
Purchases of properties (23,321) (28,260)
Purchase of note receivable - affiliate (190,000) 0
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments
available-for-sale 708,709 419,250
Proceeds from sales of properties 9,053 10,723
Proceeds from redemption of certificate of contribution
of the P&C Group 11,050 0
Mortgage loan collections 14,266 12,043
Increase in policy loans (7,877) (10,058)
Other, net (877) (1,128)
---------- -----------
Net cash used in investing activities (523,655) (479,057)
---------- -----------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to stockholders (197,000) (88,800)
Annuity contracts:
Deposits received 87,396 76,388
Withdrawals (102,236) (114,140)
Interest credited 47,003 40,911
Payment of long-term notes payable (2) (66)
---------- -----------
Net cash used in financing activities (164,839) (85,707)
---------- -----------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (255,151) (64,957)
Cash and cash equivalents - at beginning of year 327,552 516,253
---------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents - at end of period $ 72,401 $ 451,296
========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim financial statements.
13
FARMERS GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
A. Basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies
The accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Farmers Group, Inc.
("FGI") and its subsidiaries (together, the "Company") as of June 30, 1999,
the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the six month periods ended June 30,
1999 and June 30, 1998, and the consolidated statements of income and
comprehensive income for the three month periods ended June 30, 1999 and June
30, 1998, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP") for interim periods and are unaudited. However, in
management's opinion, the consolidated financial statements include all
adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a
fair presentation of results for such interim periods. These statements do not
include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete
financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related
consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity,
and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1998.
Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the full
year. All material inter-company transactions have been eliminated. Certain
amounts applicable to prior years have been reclassified to conform with the
1999 presentation.
The preparation of the Company's financial statements in conformity with
GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
The Company is attorney-in-fact ("AIF") for three inter-insurance
exchanges: Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck
Insurance Exchange (collectively the "Exchanges"), which operate in the
property and casualty insurance industry. As AIF, FGI, or its subsidiaries,
as applicable, provides certain management services to the Exchanges, their
respective subsidiaries and Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Company
(collectively the "P&C Group") and receives compensation based on a percentage
of gross premiums earned. The P&C Group is owned by the policyholders of the
Exchanges and Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Company. Accordingly, the
Company has no ownership interest in the P&C Group.
Farmers New World Life Insurance Company ("Farmers Life"), a Washington
based insurance company, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Farmers
Life markets a broad line of individual life insurance products, including
universal life, term life and whole life insurance, and annuity products,
predominately flexible premium deferred annuities. These products and services
are sold directly by the P&C Group's agents.
Farmers Reinsurance Company ("Farmers Re"), a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Company, reinsures a percentage of the auto physical damage business
written by the P&C Group. Under a quota share reinsurance treaty, Farmers Re
assumes monthly premiums of $83,333,000 and a quota share percentage of
ultimate net losses sustained by the P&C Group in its auto physical damage
lines of business. This treaty also provides for the P&C Group to receive a
provisional ceding commission of 20% of premiums with additional experience
commissions that depend on loss experience. This experience commission
arrangement limits Farmers Re's potential underwriting gain on the assumed
business to 2.5% of premiums assumed.
On March 31, 1999, Farmers Re and the P&C Group commuted $105,944,000 of
losses and loss adjustment expenses associated with the 1998 accident year. As
a result, on May 14, 1999, Farmers Re paid the P&C Group $105,944,000 of
losses and loss adjustment expenses and $8,205,000 of accrued interest in
settlement of this commutation.
14
References to the "Insurance Subsidiaries" within the consolidated
financial statements are to Farmers Life and Farmers Re.
In December 1988, BATUS Inc. ("BATUS"), a subsidiary of B.A.T Industries
p.l.c. ("B.A.T"), acquired 100% ownership of the Company for $5,212,619,000 in
cash, including related expenses, through its wholly owned subsidiary BATUS
Financial Services. Immediately thereafter, BATUS Financial Services was
merged into Farmers Group, Inc.. The acquisition was accounted for as a
purchase and, accordingly, the acquired assets and liabilities were recorded in
the Company's consolidated balance sheets based on their estimated fair values
at December 31, 1988. In January 1990, ownership of the Company was
transferred to South Western Nominees Limited, a subsidiary of B.A.T.
In September 1998, B.A.T's Financial Services Businesses, which included
the Company, were merged with Zurich Insurance Company ("Zurich"). The
businesses of Zurich and B.A.T's Financial Services Businesses were transferred
to Zurich Financial Services ("ZFS"), a new Swiss company with headquarters in
Zurich. As a result, each two shares of the Company's prior outstanding stock
were recapitalized into one share of Class A Common Stock, par value $1.00 per
share ("Ordinary Shares"), and one share of Class B Common Stock, par value
$1.00 per share ("Income Shares"). Under the merger agreement, all Ordinary
Shares became wholly owned by ZFS and all Income Shares became wholly owned by
Allied Zurich Holdings Limited, an affiliated company created during the
restructuring of B.A.T. This merger was accounted for by ZFS as a pooling of
interests and, therefore, no purchase accounting adjustments were made to the
Company's assets and liabilities.
In 1999, the Company adopted Statement of Position ("SOP") No. 98-1,
"Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for
Internal Use". This SOP applies to all nongovernmental entities and
establishes the rules for capitalizing or expensing internally developed
software.
In 1999, the Company adopted SOP No. 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of
Start Up Activities". This SOP addresses the recording of costs associated
with a one-time activity, such as opening a new facility, introducing a new
product or service, conducting business in a new territory or conducting
business with a new class of customer.
In June 1999, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") released
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 137, "Deferral of the
Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133", which defers the effective date of
SFAS No. 133 to fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. In 1998, the FASB
released SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities". This Statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for
derivative instruments (including certain derivative instruments embedded in
other contracts) and for hedging activities. SFAS No. 133 requires that an
entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the
statement of financial position and measure those instruments at market value.
This Statement amends SFAS No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation" and SFAS No.
107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments". It supersedes
SFAS No. 80, "Accounting for Futures Contracts", SFAS No. 105, "Disclosure of
Information about Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk and
Financial Instruments with Concentrations of Credit Risk", and SFAS No. 119,
"Disclosure about Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial
Instruments". The Company does not expect the adoption of these Statements to
have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
B. Material contingencies
The Company is a party to numerous lawsuits arising from its normal
business activities. These actions are in various stages of discovery and
development, and some seek punitive as well as compensatory damages. In the
opinion of management, the Company has not engaged in any conduct which should
warrant the award of any material punitive or compensatory damages. The
Company intends to vigorously defend its position in each case, and management
believes that, while it is not possible to predict the outcome of such matters
with absolute certainty, ultimate disposition of these proceedings should not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of
operations or financial position.
15
C. Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities of
Subsidiary Trusts Holding Solely Junior Subordinated Debentures
In 1995, Farmers Group Capital and Farmers Group Capital II (the
"Subsidiary Trusts"), consolidated wholly owned subsidiaries of Farmers Group,
Inc., issued $410 million of 8.45% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred
Securities ("QUIPS"), Series A and $90 million of 8.25% QUIPS, Series B,
respectively. In connection with the Subsidiary Trusts' issuance of the QUIPS
and the related purchase by Farmers Group, Inc. of all of the Subsidiary
Trusts' Common Securities ("Common Securities"), Farmers Group, Inc. issued to
Farmers Group Capital $422,680,399 principal amount of its 8.45% Junior
Subordinated Debentures, Series A due on December 31, 2025, (the "Junior
Subordinated Debentures, Series A") and issued to Farmers Group Capital II
$92,783,505 principal amount of its 8.25% Junior Subordinated Debentures,
Series B due on December 31, 2025 (the "Junior Subordinated Debentures, Series
B" and, together with the Junior Subordinated Debentures, Series A, the
"Junior Subordinated Debentures"). The sole assets of Farmers Group Capital
are the Junior Subordinated Debentures, Series A. The sole assets of Farmers
Group Capital II are the Junior Subordinated Debentures, Series B. In
addition, these arrangements are governed by various agreements between
Farmers Group, Inc. and the Subsidiary Trusts (the Guarantee Agreements, the
Trust Agreements, the Expense Agreements, the Indentures and the Junior
Subordinated Debentures) which considered together constitute a full and
unconditional guarantee by Farmers Group, Inc. of the Subsidiary Trusts'
obligations under the Preferred Securities.
Under certain circumstances, the Junior Subordinated Debentures may be
distributed to holders of the QUIPS and holders of the Common Securities in
liquidation of the Subsidiary Trusts. The QUIPS are subject to mandatory
redemption upon repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures at maturity,
or upon their earlier redemption, at a redemption price of $25 per Preferred
Security, plus accrued and unpaid distributions thereon to the date fixed for
redemption. Farmers Group, Inc. will have the option at any time on or after
September 27, 2000 to redeem, in whole or part, the Junior Subordinated
Debentures.
As of June 30, 1999 and 1998, a total of 20,000,000 shares of QUIPS were
outstanding.
D. Management fees
As AIF, the Company, or its subsidiaries, as applicable, provides
management services to the P&C Group and receives management fees for the
services rendered. As a result, the Company received management fees from the
P&C Group of $697,691,000 and $628,834,000 for the six month periods ended June
30, 1999 and June 30, 1998, respectively.
E. Related parties
On June 30, 1999, the Company loaned Centre Reinsurance Holdings
(Delaware II) Ltd., a subsidiary of ZFS, $190,000,000. In return, the Company
received a $190,000,000 note with an 8.75% fixed interest rate that matures on
December 31, 1999. Interest is due at maturity and, through June 30, 1999,
interest earned on this note totaled $46,000.
In addition, as of June 30, 1999, the Company held $1,057,000,000 of
notes receivable from British American Financial Services (UK and
International), Ltd. ("BAFS"), a subsidiary of ZFS. The Company purchased the
notes from BAFS on September 3, 1998, using proceeds received in settlement of
$407,000,000 of B.A.T Capital Corporation notes and proceeds received from the
redemption of $650,000,000 of certificates of contribution of the P&C Group.
The $1,057,000,000 notes receivable are fixed rate medium-term notes with
maturity dates as follows: $200,000,000 in September 2000, $207,000,000 in
September 2001, $200,000,000 in September 2002, $200,000,000 in September 2003
and $250,000,000 in September 2004. Interest on these notes is paid semi-
annually at coupon rates of 5.44%, 5.48%, 5.67%, 5.71% and 5.78%, respectively.
Income earned on these notes through June 30, 1999 was $29,717,000.
16
F. Certificates of contribution and surplus note of the P&C Group
On April 7, 1999, the Company received $12,274,000 from the P&C Group for
the redemption of an $11,050,000 certificate of contribution issued on December
11, 1991 and for the payment of $1,224,000 of accrued interest. As of June 30,
1999, the Company continued to hold miscellaneous other certificates of
contribution of the P&C Group totaling $23,330,000 which bear interest at
various rates. In addition, Farmers Life holds a $119,000,000 surplus note of
the P&C Group which bears interest at 6.10% annually.
Conditions governing repayment of these amounts are outlined in the
certificates of contribution and the surplus note. Generally, repayment may be
made only when the surplus balance of the issuer reaches a certain specified
level, and then only after approval is granted by the issuer's governing Board
and the appropriate Department of Insurance.
G. Supplemental cash flow information
For financial statement purposes, the Company considers all investments
with original maturities of 90 days or less as cash equivalents. Following is
a reconciliation of the individual balance sheet cash and cash equivalent
totals to the consolidated cash flow total:
Excluding
Insurance Insurance
Subsidiaries Subsidiaries Consolidated
------------ ------------ ------------
(Amounts in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents -- December 31, 1997 $ 506,273 $ 9,980 $ 516,253
Activity through June 1998 (64,957)
------------
Cash and cash equivalents -- June 30, 1998 307,845 143,451 $ 451,296
============
Cash and cash equivalents -- December 31, 1998 253,828 73,724 $ 327,552
Activity through June 1999 (255,151)
------------
Cash and cash equivalents -- June 30, 1999 44,045 28,356 $ 72,401
============
Cash payments for interest were $1,528,000 and $2,608,000 for the six
month periods ended June 30, 1999 and June 30, 1998, respectively, while the
cash payment for dividends to the holders of the Company's QUIPS was
$21,035,000 for each of the six month periods ended June 30, 1999 and June 30,
1998. Cash payments for income taxes were $212,582,000 and $209,181,000 for
the six month periods ended June 30, 1999 and June 30, 1998, respectively.
On June 30, 1999, the Company loaned $190,000,000 to Centre Reinsurance
Holdings (Delaware II) Ltd., a subsidiary of ZFS (See Note E).
H. Operating Segments
The Company's principal activities are the provision of management
services to the P&C Group and the ownership and operation of the life and
reinsurance subsidiaries. These activities are managed separately as each
offers a unique set of services. As a result, the Company is comprised of the
following three reportable operating segments as defined in SFAS No. 131,
"Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information": the
management services segment, the life insurance segment and the reinsurance
segment.
The basis of accounting used by the Company's management in evaluating
segment performance and determining how resources should be allocated is
referred to as the Company's GAAP historical basis, which excludes the effects
of the purchase accounting ("PGAAP") adjustments related to the acquisition of
the Company by B.A.T in December 1988 (See Note A). This differs from the
basis used in preparing the Company's financial statements included in the SEC
Form 10-K and 10-Q reports, which incorporates the effects of the PGAAP
adjustments.
17
The Company accounts for intersegment transactions as if they were to
third parties and, as such, records the transactions at current market prices.
There were no intersegment revenues among the Company's three reportable
operating segments for the six month periods ended June 30, 1999 and June 30,
1998.
Information regarding the Company's reportable operating segments follows:
Six month period ended June 30, 1999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAAP historical basis PGAAP adjustments Consolidated
------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Management Life Management Life PGAAP
services insurance Reinsurance Total services insurance Total basis
------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- -----------
(Amounts in thousands)
Revenues $ 741,090 $ 372,318 (a) $ 514,144 (a) $1,627,552 $ 0 $ (815) $ (815) $1,626,737
Investment
income 58,090 157,224 13,305 228,619 (721) (492) (1,213) 227,406
Investment
expenses 0 (5,703) 0 (5,703) 0 0 0 (5,703)
Net realized
gains/(losses) 33,839 12,081 839 46,759 0 (323) (323) 46,436
Dividends
on preferred
securities of
subsidiary
trusts (21,035) 0 0 (21,035) 0 0 0 (21,035)
Income before
provision for
taxes 463,058 143,007 26,527 632,592 (54,282) (25,596) (79,878) 552,714
Provision for
income taxes 175,959 50,213 7,432 233,604 (9,296) (9,285) (18,581) 215,023
Depreciation and 26,071 2,592 (b) 0 28,663 52,590 (c) 24,993 (d) 77,583 106,246
amortization
- -----------------------
(a) Revenues for the insurance operating segments include net investment
income and net realized gains/(losses).
(b) Amount includes the historical basis amortization associated with the
deferred acquisition costs ("DAC") asset which included a $23.3 million
adjustment, reducing expense, due to favorable persistency experience on
the fixed universal life business.
(c) Amount includes PGAAP adjustments associated with the amortization of the
AIF contracts ($21.4 million) and goodwill ($30.0 million).
(d) Amount includes PGAAP adjustments associated with the amortization of the
Value of Life Business Acquired ("VOLBA") asset and the reversal of
amortization associated with the pre-1988 DAC asset. Included in this
amount are adjustments totaling $21.3 million, increasing expense, due to
unfavorable persistency experience on the pre-1988 business.
Six month period ended June 30, 1998
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAAP historical basis PGAAP adjustments Consolidated
------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Management Life Management Life PGAAP
services insurance Reinsurance Total services insurance Total basis
------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- -----------
(Amounts in thousands)
Revenues $ 671,912 $ 336,504 (a) $ 503,839 (a) $1,512,255 $ 0 $ 104 $ 104 $ 1,512,359
Investment
income 77,437 149,193 3,707 230,337 (463) 104 (359) 229,978
Investment
expenses 0 (6,455) 0 (6,455) 0 0 0 (6,455)
Net realized
gains/(losses) 20,531 6,479 132 27,142 (2,002) 0 (2,002) 25,140
Dividends
on preferred
securities of
subsidiary
trusts (21,035) 0 0 (21,035) 0 0 0 (21,035)
Income before
provision for
taxes 433,109 111,589 16,237 560,935 (56,149) 1,089 (55,060) 505,875
Provision for
income taxes 161,125 40,302 5,683 207,110 (9,999) 252 (9,747) 197,363
Depreciation and 39,689 46,289 (b) 0 85,978 52,444 (c) (639) (d) 51,805 137,783
amortization
- -----------------------
(a) Revenues for the insurance operating segments include net investment
income and net realized gains/(losses).
(b) Amount includes the historical basis amortization associated with the DAC
asset.
(c) Amount includes PGAAP adjustments associated with the amortization of the
AIF contracts ($21.4 million) and goodwill ($30.0 million).
(d) Amount includes PGAAP adjustments associated with the amortization of the
VOLBA asset and the reversal of amortization associated with the pre-1988
DAC asset.
18
ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
General
The Company's principal activities are the provision of management
services to the P&C Group and the ownership and operation of the Insurance
Subsidiaries. Revenues and expenses relating to these principal business
activities are reflected in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements
prepared in accordance with GAAP, which differs from statutory accounting
practices ("SAP"), which the Insurance Subsidiaries are required to use for
regulatory reporting purposes.
Effective January 1, 1999, the P&C Group began assuming all personal lines
business written by Zurich's subsidiary, Maryland Casualty Company ("MCC").
The Company provides management services in respect of this business and, as
with its services to the other P&C Group entities, receives compensation based
on a percentage of gross premiums earned.
Farmers Life, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, underwrites life
insurance and annuity products. Revenues attributable to traditional life
insurance products, such as whole life or term life contracts, are classified
as premiums as they become due. Future benefits are associated with such
premiums (through increases in liabilities for future policy benefits), and
prior period capitalized costs are amortized (through amortization of DAC) so
that profits are generally recognized over the same period as revenue income.
Revenues attributable to universal life products consist of policy charges for
the cost of insurance, policy administration charges, surrender charges and
investment income on assets allocated to support policyholder account balances
on deposit. Revenues for deferred annuity products consist of surrender
charges and investment income on assets allocated to support policyholder
account balances. Expenses on universal life and annuity policies include
interest credited to policyholders on policy balances as well as benefit claims
incurred in excess of policy account balances.
Farmers Re, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, reinsures a
percentage of the auto physical damage business written by the P&C Group.
Under a quota share reinsurance treaty, Farmers Re assumes monthly premiums of
$83.3 million and a quota share percentage of ultimate net losses sustained by
the P&C Group in its auto physical damage lines of business. This treaty also
provides for the P&C Group to receive a provisional ceding commission of 20% of
premiums with additional experience commissions that depend on loss experience.
This experience commission arrangement limits Farmers Re's potential
underwriting gain on the assumed business to 2.5% of premiums assumed.
Three Months Ended June 30, 1999 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 1998
Management Services to Property and Casualty Insurance Companies; and Other
Operating Revenues. Operating revenues increased from $336.4 million for
the three months ended June 30, 1998 to $375.3 million for the three months
ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $38.9 million, or 11.6%. Operating revenues
primarily consist of management fees paid to the Company as a percentage of
gross premiums earned by the P&C Group. Such premiums increased from $2,562.0
million in the second quarter of 1998 to $2,708.5 million in the second quarter
of 1999 due primarily to the P&C Group assuming personal lines business from
MCC. Management fees earned on this assumed business totaled $12.8 million for
the second quarter of 1999. In addition, management fees increased
approximately $6.4 million between the three month periods ended June 30, 1999
and June 30, 1998 due to the fact that the management fee rates on all lines of
business were increased 0.25% effective January 1999. The Company is entitled
to receive a management fee of up to 20% (25% in the case of Fire Insurance
Exchange) of the gross premiums earned by the P&C Group; through June 30, 1999,
the average management fee rate was 12.2%.
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses as a percentage of operating
revenues decreased from 55.2% in the second quarter of 1998 to 54.7% in the
second quarter of 1999, a decrease of 0.5 percentage points.
Salaries and Employee Benefits. Salaries and employee benefits
increased from $83.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 1998 to
$91.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 1999, an increase of
$8.3
19
million, or 9.9%, due primarily to $7.8 million of expenses incurred in
connection with providing management services to the personal lines
business previously managed by MCC.
Buildings and Equipment Expenses. Buildings and equipment expenses
decreased from $26.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 1998 to
$22.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 1999, a decrease of $3.5
million, or 13.3%. This decrease was due primarily to lower amortization
expense associated with information technology systems software offset in
part by $1.4 million of expenses incurred in connection with providing
management services to the personal lines business previously managed by
MCC.
Amortization of Attorney-In-Fact Contracts and Goodwill. Purchase
accounting entries related to the acquisition of the Company by B.A.T in
December 1988 include goodwill (capitalized at $2.4 billion) and the value
of the AIF contracts of the P&C Group (capitalized at $1.7 billion).
Amortization of these two items, which is being taken on a straight-line
basis over forty years, reduced pretax income by approximately $25.7
million in each of the three month periods ended June 30, 1999 and June
30, 1998.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative
expenses increased from $50.1 million for the three months ended June 30,
1998 to $65.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 1999, an
increase of $14.9 million, or 29.7%. This increase is due in part to $4.5
million of expenses incurred in connection with providing management
services to the personal lines business previously managed by MCC and $2.2
million of expenses related to outsourcing the management of the Company's
investment portfolios in July 1998. In addition, advertising expenses
increased $2.9 million between periods.
Net Investment Income. Net investment income decreased from $37.2 million
for the three months ended June 30, 1998 to $28.6 million for the three months
ended June 30, 1999, a decrease of $8.6 million, or 23.1%. Of this decrease,
$6.1 million was due to the redemptions of the certificates of contribution of
the P&C Group and B.A.T notes and the subsequent issuance of the BAFS notes at
lower interest rates in 1998. The remaining decrease was due primarily to a
decrease in the invested asset base.
Net Realized Gains. Net realized gains increased from $8.7 million for
the three months ended June 30, 1998 to $34.1 million for the three months
ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $25.4 million, due primarily to gains
recognized on sales of common stock.
Dividends on Preferred Securities of Subsidiary Trusts. Dividend expense
related to the $500.0 million of QUIPS issued in 1995 was $10.5 million for the
three months ended June 30, 1999 and June 30, 1998.
Provision for Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes increased from
$74.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 1998 to $89.9 million for the
three months ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $15.6 million, or 21.0%, due
mainly to an increase in pretax operating income between periods.
Management Services Income. As a result of the foregoing, management
services income increased from $111.7 million for the three months ended June
30, 1998 to $132.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 1999, an
increase of $20.4 million, or 18.3%.
Insurance Subsidiaries
Farmers Re
Under the quota share reinsurance treaty, Farmers Re assumed $250.0
million of premiums in both the three month periods ended June 30, 1999 and
June 30, 1998. Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred under this treaty
were $160.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 1999 and $154.1 million
for the three months ended June 30, 1998 and non-life reinsurance commissions
were $83.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 1999 and $89.6 million
for the three months ended June 30, 1998. Income before taxes increased $3.7
million from $9.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 1998 to $12.9
million for the three months ended June 30, 1999 due primarily to increased
20
investment income as a result of a higher invested asset base. For the three
month periods ended June 30, 1999, and June 30, 1998, Farmers Re's contribution
to net income was $9.1 million and $6.0 million, respectively.
Farmers Life
Total Revenues. Total revenues increased from $169.7 million for the three
months ended June 30, 1998 to $192.5 million for the three months ended June
30, 1999, an increase of $22.8 million, or 13.4%.
Life and Annuity Premiums. Life premiums increased $13.0 million for
the three months ended June 30, 1999, or 30.0%, over the three months
ended June 30, 1998. This increase was due to growth in the average
volume of traditional life insurance in-force coupled with Farmers Life
entering the structured settlements with life contingencies market in
January 1999.
Life Policy Charges. Life policy charges increased $1.1 million for
the three months ended June 30, 1999, or 2.2%, over the three months ended
June 30, 1998, reflecting a growth in universal life-type insurance in-
force.
Investment Income. Net investment income increased $4.3 million for
the three months ended June 30, 1999, or 5.9%, over the three months ended
June 30, 1998. This increase was due to higher bond interest income
earned on a higher invested asset base as a result of growth in the
universal life and traditional books of business.
Net Realized Gains. Net realized gains increased by $4.4 million,
from $2.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 1998 to $7.3 million
for the three months ended June 30, 1999. This increase was due to higher
gains realized on bond sales.
Total Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses increased from $114.3
million for the three months ended June 30, 1998 to $128.9 million for the
three months ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $14.6 million, or 12.8%.
Life Policyholders' Benefits and Charges. Life policyholders'
benefits expense and charges increased from $76.5 million for the three
months ended June 30, 1998 to $87.8 million for the three months ended
June 30, 1999, an increase of $11.3 million, or 14.8%.
Policy benefits. Policy benefits, which consist primarily of
death and surrender benefits on life products, decreased $1.3
million for the three months ended June 30, 1999, to $32.2 million,
due to better mortality experience in the current period.
Increase in liability for future benefits. Increase in
liability for future benefits expense increased from $5.5 million
for the three months ended June 30, 1998 to $16.4 million for the
three months ended, June 30, 1999. This increase was primarily
attributable to higher traditional life insurance in-force volumes
and entering the structured settlements with life contingencies
market.
Interest credited to policyholders. Interest credited to
policyholders, which represents the amount credited under universal
life-type contracts and deferred annuities to policyholder funds on
deposit, increased from $37.5 million for the three months ended
June 30, 1998 to $39.2 million for the three months ended June 30,
1999, or 4.5%, reflecting the growth in the universal life fund
balance.
General Operating Expenses. General operating expenses increased
from $37.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 1998 to $41.1
million for the three months ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $3.3
million, or 8.7%.
Amortization of DAC and Value of Life Business Acquired.
Amortization expense increased from $22.3 million for the three
months ended June 30, 1998 to $26.2 million for the three months
ended June 30, 1999 due to differences in the mix of business
in-force for the three months ended June 30, 1999 when compared to
the mix of business in-force for the three months ended June 30,
1998.
21
Commissions. Commissions expense was $4.7 million for the three
months ended June 30, 1998 and June 30, 1999.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative
expenses decreased from $10.8 million for the three months ended June
30, 1998 to $10.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 1999,
or 5.6%, due to lower employee benefit expenses and decreased premium
taxes.
Provision for Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes increased from
$19.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 1998 to $22.2 million for
the three months ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $2.9 million, due to an
increase in pretax operating income.
Farmers Life Income. As a result of the foregoing, Farmers Life income
increased from $36.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 1998 to $41.4
million for the three months ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $5.3 million,
or 14.7%.
Consolidated Net Income
Consolidated net income of the Company increased from $153.8 million for
the three months ended June 30, 1998 to $182.6 million for the three months
ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $28.8 million, or 18.7%.
Six Months Ended June 30, 1999 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Management Services to Property and Casualty Insurance Companies; and Other
Operating Revenues. Operating revenues increased from $671.9 million for
the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $741.1 million for the six months ended
June 30, 1999, an increase of $69.2 million, or 10.3%. This growth reflects
higher gross premiums earned by the P&C Group, which increased from $5,109.3
million in the first six months of 1998 to $5,387.0 million in the first six
months of 1999, primarily as a result of the P&C Group assuming personal lines
business from MCC. Management fees earned on this assumed business totaled
$25.2 million for the first half of 1999. In addition, management fees
increased approximately $13.1 million between years due to the 0.25%
increase in the management fee rates.
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses as a percentage of operating
revenues decreased from 55.0% for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to
54.3% for the six months ended June 30, 1999, a decrease of 0.7 percentage
points.
Salaries and Employee Benefits. Salaries and employee benefits
increased from $167.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to
$181.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999, an increase of
$13.9 million, or 8.3%, due to $14.9 million of expenses incurred in
connection with providing management services to the personal lines
business previously managed by MCC.
Buildings and Equipment Expenses. Buildings and equipment expenses
decreased from $52.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to
$47.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999, a decrease of $5.5
million, or 10.4%. This decrease was due primarily to lower amortization
expense associated with information technology systems software offset in
part by $3.2 million of expenses incurred in connection with providing
management services to the personal lines business previously managed by
MCC.
Amortization of Attorney-In-Fact Contracts and Goodwill.
Amortization expense was $51.4 million in each of the six month periods
ended June 30, 1999 and June 30, 1998.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative
expenses increased from $97.4 million for the six months ended June 30,
1998 to $121.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999, an increase
of $24.5 million, or 25.2%. This increase is due in part to $9.2 million
of expenses incurred in connection with providing management services to
the personal lines business previously managed by MCC and $4.1 million of
22
expenses resulting from the outsourcing of the Company's investment
portfolios in July 1998. The remaining increase is primarily due to
higher business levels.
Merger Related Expenses. Expenses incurred by the Company as a result of
the merger between B.A.T's Financial Services Businesses and Zurich amounted
to $0.2 million in the six month period ended June 30, 1999.
Net Investment Income. Net investment income decreased from $77.0
million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $57.4 million for the six
months ended June 30, 1999, a decrease of $19.6 million or 25.5%. Of this
decrease, $12.1 million was due to the redemptions of the certificates of
contribution of the P&C Group and B.A.T notes and the subsequent issuance of
the BAFS notes at lower interest rates in 1998. The remaining decrease was
due primarily to a decrease in the invested asset base.
Net Realized Gains. Net realized gains increased from $18.5 million for
the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $33.8 million for the six months ended
June 30, 1999, an increase of $15.3 million, due primarily to gains recognized
on sales of common stock.
Dividends on Preferred Securities of Subsidiary Trusts. Dividend
expense was $21.0 million in each of the six month periods ended June 30,
1999 and June 30, 1998.
Provision for Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes increased from
$151.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $166.7 million for
the six months ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $15.5 million, or 10.3%,
due mainly to an increase in pretax operating income between periods.
Management Services Income. As a result of the foregoing, management
services income increased from $225.8 million for the six months ended June
30, 1998 to $242.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999, an increase
of $16.3 million, or 7.2%.
Insurance Subsidiaries
Farmers Re
Under the quota share reinsurance treaty, Farmers Re assumed $500.0
million of premiums in both the six month periods ended June 30, 1999 and June
30, 1998. Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred under this treaty were
$328.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and $330.7 million for
the six months ended June 30, 1998 and non-life reinsurance commissions were
$158.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and $156.8 million for
the six months ended June 30, 1998. Income before taxes increased from $16.2
million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $26.5 million for the six
months ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $10.3 million, or 63.6%, due
primarily to increased investment income as a result of a higher invested
asset base. Farmers Re's contribution to net income was $19.1 million for
the six month period ended June 30, 1999 and $10.6 million for the six month
period ended June 30, 1998.
Farmers Life
Total Revenues. Total revenues increased from $336.6 million for the six
months ended June 30, 1998 to $371.5 million for the six months ended June 30,
1999, an increase of $34.9 million, or 10.4%.
Life and Annuity Premiums. Life premiums increased $19.7 million
for the six months ended June 30, 1999, or 23.4%, over the six months
ended June 30, 1998. This increase was due to a 15.6% growth in the
average volume of traditional insurance in-force and Farmers Life entering
the structured settlements with life contingencies market.
Life Policy Charges. Life policy charges increased $1.7 million for
the six months ended June 30, 1999, or 1.7%, over the six months ended
June 30, 1998, reflecting a growth in universal life-type insurance in-
force.
23
Investment Income. Net investment income increased $8.2 million for
the six months ended June 30, 1999, or 5.7%, over the six months ended
June 30, 1998. The increase was due to higher bond interest income
resulting from a higher invested asset base as the universal life fund
account increased 10.8%.
Net Realized Gains. Net realized gains increased by $5.3 million,
from $6.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $11.8 million
for the six months ended June 30, 1999. This increase was due to higher
gains realized on bond sales.
Total Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses increased from $223.9
million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $254.1 million for the six
months ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $30.2 million, or 13.5%.
Life Policyholders' Benefits and Charges. Life policyholders'
benefits expense and charges increased from $149.1 million for the six
months ended June 30, 1998 to $174.1 million for the six months ended
June 30, 1999, an increase of $25.0 million, or 16.8%.
Policy benefits. Policy benefits increased $6.1 million for
the six months ended June 30, 1999 to $70.3 million due to a 6.9%
growth in the volume of total life insurance in-force and an
increase in death benefits per thousand of volume of insurance
in-force.
Increase in liability for future benefits. Increase in
liability for future benefits expense increased from $10.3 million
for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $25.7 million for the six
months ended June 30, 1999. This increase was primarily
attributable to higher volumes of traditional life insurance
in-force, particularly whole life, and entering the structured
settlements with life contingencies market.
Interest credited to policyholders. Interest credited to
policyholders increased from $74.6 million for the six months ended
June 30, 1998 to $78.1 million for the six months ended June 30,
1999, or 4.7%, reflecting the growth in the universal life and
annuity fund balances.
General Operating Expenses. General operating expenses increased
from $74.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $80.0 million
for the six months ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $5.2 million, or
7.0%.
Amortization of DAC and Value of Life Business Acquired.
Amortization expense increased from $43.9 million for the six months
ended June 30, 1998 to $50.0 million for the six months ended June
30, 1999 due to differences in the mix of business in-force for the
six months ended June 30, 1999 when compared to the mix of business
in-force for the six months ended June 30, 1998.
In addition, adjustments were made to the fixed universal
product DAC asset and the VOLBA asset. DAC amortization expense was
reduced $23.3 million due to favorable persistency experience on the
fixed universal life business. This reduction in expense was
largely offset by a $21.3 million increase in VOLBA amortization
expense resulting from unfavorable persistency experience on the
pre-1988 business. The net impact of these adjustments was a $2.0
million reduction in amortization expense, which is reflected in the
$50.0 million mentioned above.
Commissions. Commissions expense decreased $0.1 million between
years, from $9.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to
$9.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative
expenses decreased from $21.5 million for the six months ended June
30, 1998 to $20.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999, or
3.7%, due to lower employee benefit expenses and decreased premium
taxes.
Provision for Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes increased from
$40.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $40.9 million for the
six months ended June 30, 1999 due to higher pretax operating income.
24
Farmers Life Income. As a result of the foregoing, Farmers Life income
increased from $72.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $76.5
million for the six months ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $4.4 million,
or 6.1%.
Consolidated Net Income
Consolidated net income of the Company increased from $308.5 million for
the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $337.7 million for the six months ended
June 30, 1999, an increase of $29.2 million, or 9.5%.
Year 2000 Issue
Many computer systems in use today were designed and developed using two
digits, rather than four, to specify the year. As a result, such systems will
recognize "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This could cause
many computer applications to fail completely or to create erroneous results
unless corrective measures are taken. As early as 1995, the Company's
management recognized that its information systems were at risk to produce
erroneous results due to the effect of the century rollover. Significant
efforts have been expended to gain a complete understanding of Year 2000
implications and to develop a strategy to make the Company's and the P&C
Group's systems Year 2000 compliant. The costs associated with the Year
2000 Project are being expensed as incurred. The cumulative costs through
June 30, 1999 totaled $22.0 million, of which $5.1 million was allocated to
the P&C Group. Total costs of the project are expected to be approximately
$23.7 million, of which approximately $5.6 million is expected to be allocated
to the P&C Group.
To remedy the Year 2000 issue, management has devised a three-phase plan:
Phase I -"Awareness and Initial Impact Assessment". This phase was
completed in May 1996. During this phase, Year 2000 "Impact Assessment" was
performed using a mainframe analysis tool to determine which areas were at
risk.
Phase II -"Year 2000 Workpackage and Development Blueprint Project".
This phase was completed in November 1996 and consisted of creating a
comprehensive master plan which included establishing and prioritizing
clusters (groups of similar computer programs) and agreeing upon a definition
of what would be acceptable Year 2000 compliance. In addition, a timeframe
was established for the conversion, compliance testing and the implementation
of Year 2000 compliant programs into production.
Phase III -"Year 2000 Conversion and Implementation". The Company is
currently in the process of converting, implementing and testing these Year
2000 conversion programs. Based on information available today, management
expects this phase to be completed in the third quarter of 1999.
In addition, the Company has evaluated its relationships with third
parties with which the Company has a direct and material relationship to
determine whether they are Year 2000 compliant. The Company has sent out
questionnaires and warranty requests to all third party vendors and is
currently in the process of performing compliance testing with all vendors to
validate the vendors' claims regarding Year 2000 compliance. Management
anticipates that compliance testing related to third party relationships will
be completed in the third quarter of 1999. However, it is not possible to
state with certainty that the operations of third parties will not be
materially impacted in turn by other parties with whom they themselves have
a relationship.
The Year 2000 issue may not only affect the Company's information
technology ("IT") systems but also its non-IT systems. The Company has
assessed the readiness of its non-IT systems and, in the event of an
interruption of these systems, contingency plans have been established such
that no major disruptions will occur.
The Company's Year 2000 contingency plans were completed in June 1999.
These plans include contingency measures which will be followed in the event
that certain key vendors experience difficulties relating to the Year 2000
issue. As new information becomes available, the contingency plans will be
reviewed to determine whether they are adequate or if they need to be further
enhanced. The operations of the Company and the P&C Group are such that in
the event all electronic communications are down, the Company and the P&C
Group could continue to operate until an alternative communication source is
acquired.
25
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of June 30, 1999 and June 30, 1998, the Company held cash and cash
equivalents of $72.4 million and $451.3 million, respectively. In addition,
as of June 30, 1999, the Company had available revolving credit facilities
enabling it to borrow up to $500.0 million in the event such a need should
arise.
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased from $499.8 million
for the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $433.3 million for the six months
ended June 30, 1999, a decrease of $66.5 million, or 13.3%. This decrease in
cash was due to a $3.4 million decrease in the provision for non-life losses
and loss adjustment expenses in 1999 versus a $102.7 million increase in the
reserve in 1998 and a $59.2 million decrease resulting from changes in
non-current assets and liabilities. Partially offsetting these decreases in
cash was a $29.2 million increase in consolidated net income and a $72.3
million increase resulting from changes in current assets and liabilities.
Net cash used in investing activities increased from $479.1 million for
the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $523.7 million for the six months ended
June 30, 1999, a decrease in cash of $44.6 million, or 9.3%. This decrease in
cash is the result of the issuance of the $190.0 million loan to Centre
Reinsurance Holdings (Deleware II) Ltd. in 1999 (See Note E) and a $163.0
million increase in purchases of investments available-for-sale. Partially
offsetting these decreases in cash was a $289.5 million increase in proceeds
received from sales and maturities of investments available-for-sale and an
$11.1 million increase in proceeds resulting from the redemption of the
certificate of contribution in 1999 (See Note F).
Net cash used in financing activities increased from $85.7 million for
the six months ended June 30, 1998 to $164.8 million for the six months ended
June 30, 1999, resulting in a decrease in cash of $79.1 million, or 92.3%, due
to a $108.2 million increase in dividends paid to stockholders due to the fact
that the payment of the second quarter dividend in 1998 was delayed until the
close of the merger with Zurich in September 1998. This decrease in cash was
offset in part by higher cash flows from annuity contracts in 1999.
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks
The market risks associated with the Company's investment portfolios have
not changed materially from those disclosed at year-end 1998.
26
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
The Company is a party to numerous lawsuits arising from its normal
business activities. These actions are in various stages of discovery
and development, and some seek punitive as well as compensatory damages.
In the opinion of management, the Company has not engaged in any conduct
which should warrant the award of any material punitive or compensatory
damages. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position in each
case, and management believes that, while it is not possible to predict
the outcome of such matters with absolute certainty, ultimate disposition
of these proceedings should not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position. In
addition, the Company is, from time to time, involved as a party to
various governmental and administrative proceedings.
Item 2. Changes in Securities. None.
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities. None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. None.
Item 5. Other Information. None.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) Exhibits.
21. Subsidiaries of FGI - Incorporated by reference to the
corresponding Exhibit to FGI's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1999.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K. None
27
FARMERS GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Farmers Group, Inc.
(Registrant)
August 9, 1999 /s/ Martin D. Feinstein
---------------------------------------------
Date Martin D. Feinstein
Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer
August 9, 1999 /s/ Gerald E. Faulwell
---------------------------------------------
Date Gerald E. Faulwell
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer