Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Terrence Bowshier
Vice President
Director of Investor Relations
(614) 464-5078
STATE AUTO FINANCIAL ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS
- PROFIT ACHIEVED DESPITE HEAVY STORM ACTIVITY
- CORE BUSINESS PERFORMED EXCEPTIONALLY WELL
COLUMBUS, OHIO (JULY 31, 2003) - State Auto Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: STFC)
today reported second quarter net income of $8,301,000, or $0.21 per diluted
share, versus a loss of $1,385,000 or $0.04 per diluted share for the same
period 2002. Net operating earnings* per share were $0.14 diluted, versus a loss
of $0.02 diluted, for the same period 2002.
STFC's GAAP combined ratio for the second quarter was 103.8 versus 108.6 for the
second quarter 2002. Catastrophe losses added a total of 17.1 points to the loss
ratio during the quarter. STFC's second quarter revenue was $263,160,000, up
11.4% from $236,223,000. Second quarter written premium increased 5.5% over the
second quarter 2002.
Revenue for the first six months 2003 was $516,512,000, up 10.8% from
$466,182,000. For the first six months of 2003, net income was $29,365,000, or
$0.74 per diluted share, compared with $11,779,000 or $0.29 per diluted share
for the same 2002 period. Year to date GAAP combined ratio for 2003 stands at
99.6 compared to 103.7 for 2002. STFC shareholders' book value per share has
increased by 10.0% during the first six months of 2003 to $13.08 per share.
"Given the momentum of two straight record-breaking quarters, the negative
impact of CAT 88 on the second quarter of 2003 was a disappointment. This storm,
which was previously reported, caused damage in 17 states over a nine-day period
and has developed into the costliest single catastrophe event in State Auto's
history. We are never satisfied unless we achieve an underwriting profit in each
period. Still, it is instructive to recognize that continued improvement in each
reporting segment of our core book of business allowed us to come within four
points of that goal despite these record CAT losses. It is also gratifying that
we were able to post a positive net income
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and increase shareholder book value during the quarter," said STFC Chairman and
CEO Bob Moone.
State Auto Financial Corporation is a regional property and casualty insurance
holding company engaged primarily in writing personal and commercial automobile,
homeowners, commercial multi-peril, workers' compensation and fire insurance.
The company markets its products through more than 22,000 independent agents
associated with approximately 3,500 agencies in 26 states. Products are marketed
primarily in the Central and Eastern United States, excluding New York, New
Jersey and the New England states.
*Net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure, differ from GAAP net
earnings only by the exclusion of realized capital gains or losses, net of
applicable taxes, on investment activity for the period being reported. For
STFC, this amounts to $0.07 for the quarter and $0.13 for 2003 year to date.
* * * * * *
STFC has scheduled a conference call with interested investors for Thursday,
July 31, 10:00 A.M. to discuss the company's second quarter 2003 performance.
Live and archived broadcasts of the call can be accessed via links on
www.STFC.com and www.StateAuto.com. A replay of the call, in its entirety, can
be heard beginning at noon today by calling 1-800-365-0063. Supplemental
schedules detailing the company's second quarter 2003 financial, sales and
underwriting results are made available on www.STFC.com prior to the
above-mentioned conference call.
* * * * * *
Except for historical information, all other information in this news release
consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected, anticipated or implied. The most significant of
these uncertainties are described in State Auto Financial's Form 10-K and Form
10-Q reports and exhibits to those reports, and include (but are not limited to)
legislative changes at both the state and federal level, state and federal
regulatory rule making promulgations and adjudications, class action litigation
involving the insurance industry and judicial decisions affecting claims, policy
coverages and the general costs of doing business, the impact of competition on
products and pricing, inflation in the costs of the products and services
insurance pays for, product development, geographic spread of risk, weather and
weather-related events, and other types of catastrophic events. State Auto
Financial undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements.
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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Figures in thousands, except per-share amounts)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2003 2002 2003 2002
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Net premiums written $ 254,480 $ 241,291 $ 490,987 $ 463,577
Earned premiums 241,693 221,342 474,068 434,179
Net investment income 15,831 14,837 31,540 29,448
Net realized gains (loss) on investments 4,173 (1,156) 8,018 154
Other income 1,463 1,200 2,886 2,401
Total revenue 263,160 236,223 516,512 466,182
Income (loss) before federal income taxes 8,910 (6,751) 37,473 10,549
Federal income taxes 609 (5,366) 8,108 (1,230)
Net income (loss) $ 8,301 $ (1,385) $ 29,365 $ 11,779
Earnings (loss) per share:
- basic $ 0.21 ($ 0.04) $ 0.75 $ 0.30
- diluted $ 0.21 ($ 0.04) $ 0.74 $ 0.29
Earnings (loss) per share from operations *:
- basic $ 0.14 ($ 0.02) $ 0.62 $ 0.30
- diluted $ 0.14 ($ 0.02) $ 0.61 $ 0.29
Weighted average shares outstanding:
- basic 39,200 39,007 39,137 38,987
- diluted 40,006 39,007 39,873 39,803
Book value per share $ 13.08 $ 10.84
Dividends paid per share $ 0.0350 $ 0.0325 $ 0.0700 $ 0.0650
Total shares outstanding 39,279 39,025
GAAP ratios:
Loss ratio 75.6 79.7 70.1 74.6
Expense ratio 28.2 28.9 29.5 29.1
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Combined ratio 103.8 108.6 99.6 103.7
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* Net income from operations:
Net income $ 8,301 $ (1,385) $ 29,365 $ 11,779
Less net realized gains on investments,
less applicable federal income taxes 2,712 (751) 5,212 100
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Net income from operations $ 5,589 $ (634) $ 24,153 $ 11,679
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