Independence Holding Company Announces 2009 Fourth-Quarter and Annual Results

STAMFORD, Conn., March 25, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Holding Company (NYSE:IHC) today reported 2009 fourth-quarter and annual results. This press release contains both GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for which reconciliations can be found at the end of this release.

Financial Results

IHC reported operating income¹ per share of $.14 per share, diluted, or $2,209,000, for the three months ended December 31, 2009, compared to $.07 per share, diluted, or $1,111,000, for the three months ended December 31, 2008. IHC reported operating income per share of $.48 per share, diluted, or $7,351,000, for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to $.57 per share, diluted, or $8,706,000, for the year ended December 31, 2008. 

Net loss per share from continuing operations attributable to IHC was $(.95) per share, diluted, or $(14,631,000), for the three months ended December 31, 2009 compared to $(.74) per share, diluted, or $(11,407,000), for the three months ended December 31, 2008.  Net loss per share from continuing operations attributable to IHC was $(.48) per share, diluted, or $(7,423,000), for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $(1.59) per share, diluted, or $(24,484,000), for the year ended December 31, 2008. The loss in 2009 is primarily due to an other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) on the Company's investment in American Independence Corp. As described below, we anticipate recording a gain in the first quarter of 2010 that will significantly, if not fully, offset this OTTI loss. The loss in 2008 is primarily attributable to other-than-temporary impairments on certain marketable securities.

Revenues decreased 18% to $64,129,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2009, compared to revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2008 of $78,017,000 primarily due to the OTTI charge in 2009. Revenues of $357,181,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, were flat compared to revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $353,687,000.

Significant Prospective Gain Related to Investment in American Independence Corp. (Nasdaq:AMIC) in 2010 First Quarter

At December 31, 2009, the Company recorded an OTTI loss of $16,752,000, net of $12,446,000 of taxes, on its investment in AMIC. This was based on the length of time and the magnitude of the amount by which the quoted market price of AMIC had been below IHC's carrying value. During the first quarter of 2010, IHC acquired shares of AMIC common stock which brought its total ownership to over 50% of AMIC's outstanding common stock. Accordingly, IHC will consolidate the financial results of AMIC and apply business acquisition accounting. As a result, we anticipate that the Company will record a gain in the first quarter of 2010 that will significantly, if not fully, offset the OTTI loss recorded in the fourth quarter of 2009.  IHC has engaged an independent valuation firm to fair value the identifiable assets of AMIC acquired and liabilities assumed.

Chief Executive Officer's Comments

Roy Thung, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our financial condition is very strong as we enter 2010 even though our 2009 results were adversely impacted by the OTTI loss we were required to report in the fourth quarter. As discussed above, we are confident that this loss, which we attribute to an inefficient market for AMIC shares as opposed to a reflection of AMIC's value, will be significantly offset, or fully offset, by a gain in the first quarter of 2010.    We now own more than 50% of its outstanding shares. The acquisition furthers our goal of creating efficiencies by integrating the back office operations of our MGUs and marketing companies. We will consider acquiring additional shares of AMIC stock in the market and/or in private transactions as opportunities arise."

Mr. Thung continued, "Once we report the AMIC transaction in the first quarter of 2010, we believe that our insurance companies' statutory surplus will be at an all-time high. The Company's book value per share, which increased 25% to $13.16 at December 31, 2009 from $10.56 at December 31, 2008, will significantly increase even further at March 31, 2010 due to the anticipated gain on AMIC and first quarter operating results. Our investment portfolio is rated on average AA. In addition, (i) IHC announced an expansion to its stock repurchase program, and began repurchasing shares in the first quarter of 2010; (ii) our stockholders' equity as of March 31, 2010 will be practically the same as that prior to the onset of the global financial crisis, and (iii) A.M. Best affirmed the A- (Excellent) rating of our three carriers."

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company provides non-GAAP financial measures to complement its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP: (i) Operating income is income from continuing operations net of income or losses attributable to non-controlling interests and excluding net realized gains or losses, other than temporary impairment losses and write-off of intangible asset, net of applicable income taxes, (ii) Operating income per share is operating income (loss) on a per share basis. 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.

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, Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. and Independence American Insurance Company) 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. Independence American offers medical stop-loss, small group major medical, short-term medical, and major medical for individuals and families. IHC owns certain subsidiaries through its majority ownership of American Independence Corp. (Nasdaq:AMIC), which is a holding company principally engaged in the insurance and reinsurance business.

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.

¹Operating income is a non-GAAP measure representing income from continuing operations net of (income) losses attributable to non-controlling interests and excluding net realized investment gains (losses), other than temporary impairment losses and write-off of intangible asset, 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 income from continuing operations to operating income is included in this press release.