STAMFORD, Conn., March 16, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Holding Company (NYSE:IHC) today reported 2008 fourth-quarter and annual results. This press release contains both GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for which a reconciliation can be found on the final page.
Financial Results
Operating income(1) per share remained $.08 per share, diluted, or $1,172,000, for the three months ended December 31, 2008, compared to $1,218,000, for the three months ended December 31, 2007. The fourth quarter of 2008 and 2007 includes $725,000 and $299,000 of losses, respectively, net of tax, from certain investment partnerships caused by unprecedented turmoil in the financial markets. Operating income per share increased to $.57 per share, diluted, or $8,811,000, for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to $.06 per share, diluted, or $888,000, for the year ended December 31, 2007. The 2008 results include a loss of $1,980,000, after tax, incurred due to certain investment partnerships as compared to break-even results in 2007.
Net loss per share increased to $.74 per share, diluted, or $11,471,000, for the three months ended December 31, 2008, compared to $.16 per share, diluted, or $2,436,000, for the three months ended December 31, 2007. Included in the current quarter's net loss is a charge for other-than-temporary impairments in investments of $6,064,000, or $.39 per share, diluted, net of tax that (net of gains) yielded a net realized loss of $11,975,000, or $.78 per share, diluted. The Company recorded these losses during the quarter as a result of the aforementioned market conditions.
Net loss per share increased to $1.55 per share, diluted, or $23,840,000, for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to $.15 per share, diluted, or $2,328,000, for the year ended December 31, 2007. Included in the net loss for the year is a charge for other-than-temporary impairments in investments of $24,522,000 or $1.59 per share, diluted, net of tax that (net of gains) yielded a net realized loss of $32,581,000, or $2.12 per share, diluted.
Revenues decreased 21.1% to $78,017,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2008, compared to revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2007 of $98,821,000. Revenues decreased 12.1% to $353,687,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to revenues for the year ended December, 2007 of $402,322,000. The decrease in revenues is primarily the result of the net realized investment losses in 2008.
Chief Executive Officer's Comments
Roy Thung, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased with the improvement in our profit margins in 2008, as reflected in the significant increase in operating income from continuing operations from $1.0 million or $.06 per share, diluted, in 2007 to $8.8 million or $.57 per share, diluted, in 2008. These improved results were achieved despite a $2.0 million loss recorded in 2008 from certain investment partnerships, which impacted operating income from continuing operations. The improvement in operating income is largely due to improved underwriting results on both of our health lines of business, in particular medical stop-loss. We are confident that our improved operating results will continue in 2009."
Mr. Thung continued, "Due to the unprecedented turmoil in the financial markets, Independence Holding Company, like many insurance and other companies in the financial sector, recognized a loss in 2008 for other-than-temporary impairments. These impairments were primarily on certain preferred stocks of financial institutions and Alt-A mortgages. At December 31, 2008, the Company had a carrying value of $33.4 million in preferred stocks of certain financial institutions and $28.8 million in Alt-A mortgages, which amounted to 8% of our total investment portfolio of $761 million. Our fixed-maturity portfolio continues to be rated, on average, AA. The Company recorded a decrease in our book value per share from $11.90 at September 30, 2008 to $10.56 at December 31, 2008, primarily as a result of unrealized losses due to mark-to-market accounting on our available for sale securities. We expect to recover the majority of the temporary unrealized losses in fixed maturities recorded in book value as the securities mature."
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company provides non-GAAP financial measures to complement its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement the user's overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and its prospects for the future. Specifically, the Company believes the non-GAAP results provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding realized gains or losses, net of taxes that, when excluded from the GAAP results, may provide additional understanding of the Company's core operating results or business performance. However, these non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to supersede or replace the Company's GAAP results. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP results to the GAAP results is provided in the "Reconciliation of GAAP Income from Continuing Operations to Non-GAAP Income from Continuing Operations" schedule below. Operating results reported on a non-GAAP basis exclude realized gains or losses net of applicable income taxes.
About Independence Holding Company
IHC is a holding company principally engaged in the life and health insurance business and the acquisition of blocks of policies through its insurance company subsidiaries (Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York and Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc.), its affiliate (American Independence Corp. (Nasdaq:AMIC)), and its managing general underwriters, third-party administrators, and marketing affiliates. Standard Security Life markets medical stop-loss, small group major medical, short-term medical, major medical for individuals and families, limited medical, group long and short-term disability and life, dental, vision and managed health care products. Madison Life sells group life and disability, employer medical stop-loss, small group major medical, major medical for individuals and families, short-term medical, dental, vision, and individual life insurance. AMIC is a holding company principally engaged in the insurance and reinsurance business through Independence American Insurance Company and its managing general underwriter division.
Certain statements in this news release may be considered forward-looking statements, such as statements relating to management's views with respect to future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the markets in which IHC operates, new federal or state governmental regulation, IHC's ability to effectively operate, integrate and leverage any past or future strategic acquisition, and other factors which can be found in IHC's other news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(1) Operating income is a non-GAAP measure and excludes net realized investment gains (losses) and income from discontinued operations, both net of applicable income tax. The Company believes that the presentation of operating income may offer a better understanding of the core operating results of the Company. A reconciliation of net income to operating income is presented as an attachment to this press release.
INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER REPORT
DECEMBER 31, 2008
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
-------------------- --------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
--------- --------- --------- ---------
REVENUES:
Premiums earned:
Health $ 68,026 $ 66,368 $ 280,214 $ 272,748
Life and annuity 8,992 8,530 37,074 34,137
Net investment income 10,356 11,004 44,044 46,122
Fee income 8,904 12,543 39,672 44,083
Net realized investment
gains (losses) (18,537) (215) (50,648) 1,258
Equity income (loss) from
AMIC (607) 145 480 546
Other income 883 446 2,851 3,428
--------- --------- --------- ---------
78,017 98,821 353,687 402,322
--------- --------- --------- ---------
EXPENSES:
Insurance benefits,
claims and reserves:
Health 47,315 47,433 192,504 203,511
Life and annuity 11,352 11,531 48,033 47,194
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 35,766 35,863 143,912 139,380
Amortization of deferred
acquisitions costs 1,517 1,517 6,345 6,111
Interest expense on debt 981 1,025 3,776 4,194
--------- --------- --------- ---------
96,931 97,369 394,570 400,390
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) from
continuing operations
before income taxes (18,914) 1,452 (40,883) 1,932
Income tax (benefit) (7,507) 608 (16,399) 428
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) from
continuing operations (11,407) 844 (24,484) 1,504
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from
discontinued operations (17) 328 524 (224)
Gain (loss) on
disposition of
discontinued operations (47) (3,608) 120 (3,608)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
NET LOSS $ (11,471) $ (2,436) $ (23,840) $ (2,328)
========= ========= ========= =========
Basic loss per common
share:
Income (loss) from
continuing operations $ (.74) $ .06 $ (1.59) $ .10
Income (loss) from
discontinued operations -- .02 .03 (.01)
Gain (loss) on
disposition of
discontinued operations -- (.24) .01 (.24)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Basic loss per common
share $ (.74) $ (.16) $ (1.55) $ (.15)
========= ========= ========= =========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
OUTSTANDING 15,406 15,213 15,387 15,196
========= ========= ========= =========
Diluted loss per common
share
Income (loss) from
continuing operations $ (.74) $ .06 $ (1.59) $ .10
Income (loss) from
discontinued operations -- .02 .03 (.01)
Gain (loss) on
disposition of
discontinued operations -- (.24) .01 (.24)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Diluted loss per common
share $ (.74) $ (.16) $ (1.55) $ (.15)
========= ========= ========= =========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED
SHARES OUTSTANDING 15,406 15,309 15,387 15,311
========= ========= ========= =========
As of March 13, 2009, there were 15,418,269 common shares
outstanding, net of treasury shares.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
TO NON-GAAP INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
-------------------- --------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
---- ---- ---- ----
Income (loss) from
continuing operations $ (11,407) $ 844 $ (24,484) $ 1,504
Realized (gains) losses
net of taxes 12,579 374 33,295 (616)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating income from
continuing operations $ 1,172 $ 1,218 $ 8,811 $ 888
========= ========= ========= =========
Non - GAAP basic income
per common share:
Operating income from
continuing operations $ .08 $ .08 $ .57 $ .06
========= ========= ========= =========
Non - GAAP diluted income
per common share:
Operating income from
continuing operations $ .08 $ .08 $ .57 $ .06
========= ========= ========= =========
Included in realized losses net of taxes for the three months and
year ended December 31, 2008 are $6,064,000 or $.39 per share,
diluted, and $24,522,000 or $1.59 per share, diluted, respectively,
from other-than-temporary impairments primarily due to the write-
down in value of investments in preferred stocks of certain
financial institutions and fixed maturities (primarily Alt-A
securities). Also included in the realized (gains) losses, net of
taxes, above are IHC's proportionate share of AMIC's realized gains
and losses, net of taxes.