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Exhibit 99.1
NEWS RELEASE
[HARTFORD LOGO]
Date: May 4, 2004
For Release: Upon Receipt
Contact(s): Media Investors
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Cynthia Michener Hans Miller
860/547-5624 860/547-2751
cynthia.michener@thehartford.com hmiller@thehartford.com
Joshua King Mike Lesperance
860/547-2293 860/547-6781
joshua.king@thehartford.com michael.lesperance@thehartford.com
Earnings from the first quarter of 2004 are released
- ----------------------------------------------------
The Hartford reports net income of $568 million, or $1.93 per diluted share
Records set in property-casualty and life operations; a 25 percent increase in
net income from the fourth quarter of 2003
HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG), one
of the nation's largest financial services and insurance companies, today
reported first quarter of 2004 net income per diluted share of $1.93, up from
the loss of $5.46 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2003. Net income
increased to $568 million in the current period from a loss in the first quarter
of 2003 of $1.4 billion. Net realized capital gains, which are included in net
income, totaled $95 million (after-tax) in the current quarter versus net
realized capital losses of $29 million (after-tax) in the same period last year.
"I am very pleased by the results we are posting today. Net income is
approaching two dollars per diluted share, totaling $568 million in all. Our
advances in operating income for our property-casualty and life operations, both
year-over-year and sequentially, bode well for the coming year, in which we work
toward continued profitable growth," said The Hartford's Chairman and CEO Ramani
Ayer.
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The Hartford -- First Quarter 2004 Earnings/2
"Even excluding the reserve addition in the first quarter last year, the 47
percent increase in our operating income(1) compared to that quarter and the 16
percent increase from our record fourth quarter show that The Hartford continues
to fire on all cylinders."
"As a diversified financial services company, the roughly even contribution to
our bottom line from both our property-casualty and life operations strengthens
and differentiates us. This quarter, property-casualty operating income was $297
million and life operating income was $256 million. We're proud to point out
that these are record numbers for both operations."
"Beyond the bottom line, our property-casualty operations this quarter showed
encouraging combined ratios and healthy advances in business insurance and
personal lines new business."
"On the life side, most observers of The Hartford will be impressed, as I am,
with record total annuity sales of $4.7 billion and a 33 percent increase in
variable annuity sales over the first quarter of 2003. This, combined with
continued forward momentum for our group benefits, mutual funds, and 401(k)
businesses translates to a satisfying quarter on nearly every front. And across
the sea, too, our business in Japan continues to impress those who have tuned in
to its growth."
"It's an exciting time at The Hartford. In March, our official corporate
partnership with the NCAA brought our rapidly growing mutual funds front and
center on network television in a program that will continue throughout the
year. At the same time, our distinctive campaign boosted the presence of The
Hartford's long admired brand."
"It's early in the year, to be sure, and in an uncertain time no one can foresee
all that lies ahead, but looking at the numbers we have posted from the first
three months of the year, we're encouraged for the months to come," Ayer added.
Brief summary of first quarter results
The Hartford's operating income rose to $501 million in the first quarter of
2004 from a loss in the first quarter of 2003. This result was driven by record
operating income in both life and property-casualty operations.
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(1) Operating income is not calculated based on generally accepted accounting
principles ("non-GAAP"). Information regarding non-GAAP financial measures
used in this release is provided in the Discussion of Non-GAAP Measures
section below.
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The Hartford -- First Quarter 2004 Earnings/3
Highlights of first quarter results
o The Hartford achieved record retail products group assets under management
of $129.9 billion at March 31, 2004 with positive net flows (sales less
surrenders and other withdrawals) of $3.6 billion, including:
- Record total annuity sales of $4.7 billion, including sales of
variable annuity products of $4.6 billion, up 33 percent over the
first quarter of 2003;
- Record retail mutual fund sales of $1.9 billion, up 129 percent over
the first quarter of 2003 and 19 percent over the fourth quarter of
2003;
- 401(k) sales of $279 million, up 53 percent from the first quarter of
2003; and
- Total retail net flows of $3.6 billion, of which $2.2 billion were
from strong variable annuity net flows. The balance of net flows was
primarily from retail mutual funds and 401(k) plans.
o In individual life, sales were up 31 percent, the segment's best ever first
quarter sales results. Operating income increased 6 percent over the first
quarter of 2003.
o Life operating income was $256 million - a record.
o The Hartford also reported record property-casualty operating income of
$297 million, up 42 percent over the first quarter of 2003 before the
asbestos reserve addition. Highlights include:
- A combined ratio of 89.8 percent in ongoing operations, which included
$9 million (before-tax) in positive total reserve development and
premium adjustments. The reserve development includes positive changes
relating to September 11, 2001 losses and certain other prior-year
losses;
- Solid personal lines performance, which produced a combined ratio of
87.4 percent;
- Ongoing property-casualty (business insurance, specialty commercial
and personal lines) earned premiums, which increased by 8 percent to
$2.2 billion (13 percent before the re-estimate of premiums related to
retrospectively-rated policies) and net written premiums, which
increased by 11 percent to $2.4 billion, from the first quarter of
2003;
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The Hartford -- First Quarter 2004 Earnings/4
- Business insurance written premiums, which exceeded $1.1 billion, up
15 percent from the first quarter of 2003, with new business totaling
$290 million, up 11 percent over first quarter of 2003; and
- Total personal lines new business of $136 million, 43 percent over
last year's first quarter.
o In Japan, annuity sales were a record $1.4 billion, with assets under
management of $8.1 billion at March 31, 2004, 31 percent higher than at the
end of 2003.
o Other highlights here at home include:
- Property-casualty net investment income (pre-tax) increased 11 percent
over the same period of 2003 primarily due to strong cash flow and the
May 2003 capital raising;
- In personal lines, The Hartford's new automobile class plan, which
significantly refines the categories in which motorists can be
insured, is now operational in 34 states and the new homeowner class
plan was rolled out to 10 states through April 1, 2004;
- In group benefits, including the impact of the CNA group benefits
businesses, fully insured sales, excluding buyouts, rose 54 percent
and operating income rose 38 percent over the first quarter of 2003;
total premium and premium equivalents were almost $1 billion for the
quarter; and
- Institutional solutions group assets under management grew to $47.3
billion at March 31, 2004 with positive net flows of $237 million.
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The Hartford -- First Quarter 2004 Earnings/5
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS BY SEGMENT*
First Quarter Ended
March 31,
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2004 2003 Change
-----------------------------
Life[1]
Individual Annuity $ 112 $ 71 58%
Other Retail 15 6 150%
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Total Retail Products Group 127 77 65%
Institutional Solutions Group 29 31 (6%)
Individual Life 34 32 6%
Group Benefits 47 34 38%
Other 19 2 NM
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Total Life operating income[2] 256 176 45%
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Property & Casualty
Ongoing Operations Underwriting Results
Business Insurance 225 7 NM
Personal Lines 106 56 89%
Specialty Commercial (110) 5 NM
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Total Ongoing Operations underwriting results 221 68 NM
Other Operations underwriting results (65) (47) (38%)
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Total Property & Casualty underwriting results 156 21 NM
Net investment income 311 281 11%
Periodic net coupon settlements on non-qualifying
derivatives, before-tax 4 4 -
Net servicing and other income (loss) 9 3 NM
Other expenses (68) (41) (66%)
Income tax expense (115) (59) (95%)
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Property & Casualty, before 2003
asbestos reserve addition 297 209 42%
2003 asbestos reserve addition - (1,701) 100%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Property & Casualty operating income (loss)[2] 297 (1,492) NM
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest and Other Corporate (52) (45) (16%)
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Operating income, before 2003 asbestos reserve addition[2][3] 501 340 47%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 asbestos reserve addition - (1,701) (100%)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (loss)[2][3] 501 (1,361) NM
Add: Net realized capital gains (losses), after-tax[2] 95 (29) NM
Less: Periodic net coupon settlements on non-qualifying
derivatives, after-tax[2] 5 5 -
Add: Cumulative effect of accounting changes, after-tax (23) - -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 568 $(1,395) NM
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PER SHARE DATA
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
Operating income, before 2003 asbestos reserve addition[3] $ 1.70 $ 1.33 28%
Net income (loss) $ 1.93 $ (5.46) NM
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] Life allocates the net realized gains and losses from periodic net coupon
settlements on non-qualifying derivatives to its segments.
[2] Operating income includes the effect of periodic net coupon settlements on
non-qualifying derivatives, after-tax. Such effects are included in net
realized capital gains and losses.
[3] Operating income and operating income before the 2003 asbestos reserve
addition are not calculated based on accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Information regarding
non-GAAP financial measures used in this release is provided in the
Discussion on Non-GAAP Measures section of this release.
The Hartford defines the following as "NM" or not meaningful: increases or
decreases greater than 200%, or changes from a net gain to a net loss position,
or vice versa.
* The table presents underwriting results for ongoing operations, which
includes the business insurance, personal lines and specialty commercial
segments; and the other operations segment. Operating income is presented
for life's segments, property-casualty and corporate.
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The Hartford -- First Quarter 2004 Earnings/6
Retail Products Group
This segment includes individual annuities, retail mutual funds, 401(k) and 529
college savings plans and specialty products. Favorable equity markets, coupled
with strong sales and positive net flows resulting from excellent distribution
and diverse product offerings, contributed to significantly higher operating
income in the first quarter. Individual annuity operating income increased 58
percent over the first quarter of 2003, to $112 million. Total annuity sales
increased year-over-year in both the broker-dealer and bank distribution
channels. First quarter sales of retail mutual funds more than doubled from the
same period last year to a record $1.9 billion. 401(k) sales in the quarter
were 53 percent higher than the first quarter of 2003, while sales of 529
college savings plans/specialty reached the $100 million mark for the quarter,
nearly triple the first quarter of last year. Total retail products group assets
under management reached $129.9 billion, a 5 percent increase from $123.6
billion at December 31, 2003, and an increase of $37.7 billion, or 41 percent,
from March 31, 2003.
Institutional Solutions Group
This segment includes institutional and governmental investment products and
private placement life insurance products (formerly called COLI). Operating
income of $29 million was down 6 percent from the first quarter of 2003, as
growth in institutional and governmental was offset by declines in private
placement life insurance.
Individual Life
Individual life reported solid operating income and top-line growth in the first
quarter. Operating income was up 6 percent to $34 million in the quarter from
the prior-year period. Sales increased 31 percent over the first quarter of
2003, the segment's best-ever first quarter sales results. The increase in sales
was driven in large measure by new products and increased traction from renewed
marketing efforts for universal and whole life products which, combined,
accounted for $24 million in sales, up 118 percent from the year-ago quarter.
Group Benefits
Operating income growth was strong in the first quarter, up 38 percent from the
prior year to $47 million. Strong underwriting and disciplined claims management
were key drivers in this performance along with earnings from the CNA group
benefits acquisition completed on December 31, 2003. The integration of the CNA
business is ahead of plan. Fully insured sales, excluding buyouts, were up 54
percent from the prior-year period to $341 million, primarily as a result of
bolstered marketing and distribution efforts.
Japan
With wider public awareness and expanding distribution, assets under management
at Hartford Life Insurance K.K., The Hartford's Japan-based subsidiary, reached
$8.1 billion at March 31,
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The Hartford -- First Quarter 2004 Earnings/7
2004, with sales of $1.4 billion in the quarter, a 105 percent increase over the
year-ago quarter. The business in Japan achieved a profit for the fourth
straight quarter (U.S. GAAP basis) in its fourth year of operations.
Business Insurance
Favorable market conditions, mid-single-digit price increases and new business
production drove written premiums growth of 15 percent over the first quarter of
2003. Earned premium growth for the first quarter of 2004 was 16 percent over
the first quarter of 2003. Margins for the business are favorable. Total new
business growth, which was particularly notable in small commercial, added $290
million to net written premiums for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. This is up
11 percent over the comparable period in 2003. The combined ratio of 90.3
percent before property catastrophes and prior-year development was 4.3 points
better than last year's results. Prior-period development included reserve
releases for September 11 of $175 million and reserve strengthening primarily
related to construction defect claims of $23 million.
Personal Lines
Key initiatives such as the new auto class plan, Dimensions, are on schedule and
provide the platform for future profitable growth in the agency portfolio. In
2004, Dimensions has been expanded into our homeowners line. Agency channel
written premiums grew 13 percent in the quarter compared to 2003. In the first
quarter of 2004, The Hartford's program with AARP produced a 10 percent written
premium increase compared to 2003. Before catastrophe losses and prior-year
development, personal lines produced an overall combined ratio of 86.1 percent,
a 5.2 point improvement over 2003.
Specialty Commercial
Written premiums in specialty commercial grew 5 percent year over year. Written
premium growth was strong in professional liability, increasing 20 percent year
over year. Specialty commercial results were impacted by a 14 percent reduction,
year over year, in property, as market pricing softened and the segment
maintained its underwriting discipline. This quarter, there were several factors
affecting the reported combined ratio. First, earned premiums were reduced $90
million, reflecting a decrease in estimated earned premiums on
retrospectively-rated policies. Second, catastrophe losses were lowered by a
reduction in September 11 reserves of $116 million. And last, an increase in
prior-period reserves primarily related to construction defect claims amounted
to $167 million. Before catastrophes, prior-period loss development and the
earned premium reduction, the combined ratio was 91.7 percent.
Investments
Net investment income yield on average invested assets decreased from 6.0
percent to 5.7 percent (before-tax) and from 4.2 percent to 3.9 percent
(after-tax) in the current quarter, compared to the
- more -
The Hartford -- First Quarter 2004 Earnings/8
prior-year quarter, as a result of investing new cash flows in the lower
interest rate environment. Impairments of $14 million (before-tax) for the
quarter ended March 31, 2004, were down from $89 million (before-tax) for the
quarter ended March 31, 2003. This reflects improved credit markets.
2004 Guidance
Based on current information and, in particular, financial market performance
through April, The Hartford now expects 2004 earnings per diluted share to be
between $6.30 and $6.60. This estimate reflects current market levels but also
assumes that U.S. equity markets end 2004 at levels 9 percent higher than
beginning 2004 levels. The previous estimated 2004 range was $5.80 to $6.10 per
fully diluted share.
The company's prior and revised 2004 guidance estimates exclude capital gains or
losses (though the company has had, and is likely to continue to record, capital
gains or losses during the balance of 2004) and the cumulative effect of
accounting changes associated with the company's adoption of Statement of
Position 03-1 "Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain
Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts."
Guidance with respect to 2004 is very likely to be adjusted in the future based
on changes in market conditions affecting life and property-casualty operations.
A large number of factors could cause these estimates to change, including
significant changes in estimated future earnings on investment products caused
by changes in the equity markets, changes in loss-cost trends in the ongoing
property-casualty businesses, catastrophe losses at levels different from
expectations, adverse developments emerging as a result of changes in estimates
arising from the company's regular review of its prior-period loss reserves for
all lines of insurance, or other unusual or unpredictable items.
Conference Call
The company will discuss the results of the first quarter and the 2004 guidance
in the quarterly conference call on May 5, 2004, at 9:00 a.m. EST. The call,
along with a slide presentation, can be simultaneously accessed through the
company's Web site at www.thehartford.com/ir/index.html.
Discussion of Non-GAAP Measures
The Hartford uses the following non-GAAP financial measures to analyze the
company's operating performance for the periods presented in this press release.
Because The Hartford's calculation of these measures may differ from similar
measures used by other companies, investors
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The Hartford -- First Quarter 2004 Earnings/9
should be careful when comparing The Hartford's non-GAAP financial measures to
those of other companies.
The Hartford uses operating income as an important measure of the company's
operating performance. Operating income is net income, before the after-tax
effect of net realized capital gains and losses other than periodic net coupon
settlements on non-qualifying derivatives, and the cumulative effect of
accounting changes. The company believes operating income provides to investors
a valuable measure of the performance of the company's ongoing businesses
because it excludes the effect of those realized capital gains and losses that
tend to be highly variable from period to period. Net income is the most
directly comparable GAAP measure. A reconciliation of net income (loss) to
operating income (loss) for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 is set
forth above.
In this release, The Hartford has included the financial measure operating
income, before the 2003 asbestos reserve addition. The Hartford has provided
this financial measure to enhance investor understanding of the company's
ongoing businesses by eliminating the effect of the asbestos reserve addition,
which relates solely to legacy businesses. Net income is the most directly
comparable GAAP measure. A reconciliation of net income (loss) to operating
income, before the 2003 asbestos reserve addition for the quarter ended March
31, 2004 and 2003 is set forth above.
Written premiums is a financial measure used by The Hartford as an important
indicator of the operating performance of the company's property-casualty
operations. Because written premiums represents the amount of premium charged
for policies issued during a fiscal period, The Hartford believes it is useful
to investors because it reflects current trends in The Hartford's sale of
property-casualty insurance products. Earned premiums, the most directly
comparable GAAP measure, represents all premiums that are recognized as revenues
during a fiscal period. The difference between written premiums and earned
premiums is attributable to the change in unearned premium reserves.
More detailed financial information can be found in The Hartford's Investor
Financial Supplement for the first quarter of 2004, which is available on the
company's Web site, www.thehartford.com.
The Hartford is one of the nation's largest financial services and insurance
companies, with 2003 revenues of $18.7 billion. As of March 31, 2004, The
Hartford had total assets of $237.3 billion and stockholders' equity of $13.5
billion. The company is a leading provider of investment products, life
insurance and group benefits; automobile and homeowners products; and business
property-casualty insurance.
The Hartford's Internet address is www.thehartford.com.
- more -
The Hartford -- First Quarter 2004 Earnings/10
###
Some of the statements in this release should be considered forward-looking
statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These include statements about our future results of operations. We caution
investors that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors should consider
the important risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ.
These important risks and uncertainties include the difficulty in predicting the
Company's potential exposure for asbestos and environmental claims and related
litigation; the possible occurrence of terrorist attacks; the response of
reinsurance companies under reinsurance contracts and the availability, pricing
and adequacy of reinsurance to protect the Company against losses; changes in
the stock markets, interest rates or other financial markets, including the
potential effect on the Company's statutory capital levels; the inability to
effectively mitigate the impact of equity market volatility on the Company's
financial position and results of operations arising from obligations under
annuity product guarantees; the uncertain effect on the Company of the Jobs and
Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, in particular the reduction in tax
rates on long-term capital gains and most dividend distributions; the
possibility of more unfavorable loss experience than anticipated; the incidence
and severity of catastrophes, both natural and man-made; stronger than
anticipated competitive activity; unfavorable judicial or legislative
developments affecting the Company's domestic or international operations,
including the possibility that the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 is not
extended beyond 2005; the potential effect of domestic and foreign regulatory
developments, including those which could increase the Company's business costs
and required capital levels; the possibility of general economic and business
conditions that are less favorable than anticipated; the Company's ability to
distribute its products through distribution channels, both current and future;
the uncertain effects of emerging claim and coverage issues; the effect of
assessments and other surcharges for guaranty funds and second-injury funds and
other mandatory pooling arrangements; a downgrade in the Company's
claims-paying, financial strength or credit ratings; the ability of the
Company's subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company; and others discussed in
our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the
other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no
obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued.
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS
(In millions, except per share data)
Year Over
Year Sequential
1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q Quarter Quarter
2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 Change Change
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- ----------
HIGHLIGHTS
Net income (loss) [1] ............ $ (1,395) $ 507 $ 343 $ 454 $ 568 NM 25%
Operating income (loss) [1] ...... $ (1,361) $ 340 $ 335 $ 433 $ 501 NM 16%
Operating income, before
impact of 2003 asbestos
reserve addition [1] ........... $ 340 $ 340 $ 335 $ 433 $ 501 47% 16%
Total revenues ................... $ 4,331 $ 4,682 $ 4,947 $ 4,773 $ 5,732 32% 20%
Total assets ..................... $188,657 $207,801 $211,365 $225,853 $237,264 26% 5%
Total assets under
management [2] .................. $205,223 $227,437 $232,115 $250,368 $263,813 29% 5%
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PER SHARE AND SHARES DATA
Basic earnings (loss)
per share [1]
Net income (loss) .............. $ (5.46) $ 1.89 $ 1.21 $ 1.60 $ 1.96 NM 23%
Operating income (loss) ........ $ (5.33) $ 1.26 $ 1.19 $ 1.53 $ 1.73 NM 13%
Operating income, before
impact of 2003 asbestos
reserve addition .............. $ 1.33 $ 1.26 $ 1.19 $ 1.53 $ 1.73 30% 13%
Diluted earnings (loss) per
share [1][3]
Net income (loss) .............. $ (5.46) $ 1.88 $ 1.20 $ 1.59 $ 1.93 NM 21%
Operating income (loss) ........ $ (5.33) $ 1.26 $ 1.18 $ 1.52 $ 1.70 NM 12%
Operating income, before
impact of 2003 asbestos
reserve addition [4] .......... $ 1.33 $ 1.26 $ 1.18 $ 1.52 $ 1.70 28% 12%
Weighted average common
shares outstanding (basic) ...... 255.4 268.8 282.5 283.0 289.9 34.5 sh 6.9 sh
Weighted average common
shares outstanding and
dilutive potential common
shares (diluted) [3] ............ 255.4 270.2 284.8 285.6 294.9 39.5 sh 9.3 sh
Common shares outstanding ........ 255.4 282.2 282.7 283.4 291.7 36.3 sh 8.3 sh
Book value per share (including
AOCI) ........................... $ 36.97 $ 40.75 $ 40.13 $ 41.07 $ 46.41 26% 13%
Book value per share (excluding
AOCI) ........................... $ 32.05 $ 34.34 $ 35.33 $ 36.67 $ 38.97 22% 6%
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[1] The quarter ended June 30, 2003, includes $30 of tax benefit in Life
primarily related to the favorable treatment of certain tax items arising
during the 1996-2002 tax years. The quarter ended June 30, 2003, includes
$27, after-tax, of severance charges in Property & Casualty. The quarter
ended September 30, 2003, includes $40 of after-tax expense related to the
settlement of the Bancorp Services, LLC litigation dispute.
[2] Includes mutual fund assets and third-party assets managed by HIMCO.
[3] As a result of the antidilutive impact from the net loss in the quarter
ended March 31, 2003, The Hartford is required by generally accepted
accounting principles to use basic weighted average shares in the
calculation of earnings per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2003. In
the absence of the net loss, 256.1 weighted average common shares
outstanding and dilutive potential common shares would have been used in
the calculation for the quarter ended March 31, 2003.
[4] Calculated using weighted average common shares outstanding and dilutive
potential common shares of 256.1 for the quarter ended March 31, 2003.