MARIETTA, Pa., Oct. 24, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Donegal Group Inc. (Nasdaq:DGICA) and (Nasdaq:DGICB) today reported its financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014. Significant developments include:
- Net income increased 14.3% to $8.7 million for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $7.7 million for the third quarter of 2013
- Statutory combined ratio1 of 95.0% for the third quarter of 2014, compared to 96.0% for the third quarter of 2013
- 8.2% increase in net premiums written to $147.8 million for the third quarter of 2014, reflecting continuing organic growth in commercial lines and the impact of premium rate increases
- Book value per share of $15.43 at September 30, 2014, compared to $15.02 at year-end 2013
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||
| 2014 | 2013 | % Change | 2014 | 2013 | % Change | |
| (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||
| Income Statement Data | ||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ 142,150 | $ 130,645 | 8.8% | $ 412,287 | $ 382,310 | 7.8% |
| Investment income, net | 4,299 | 4,624 | -7.0 | 13,529 | 14,110 | -4.1 |
| Realized gains | 351 | 349 | 0.6 | 2,297 | 2,944 | -22.0 |
| Total revenues | 149,135 | 138,335 | 7.8 | 434,957 | 407,715 | 6.7 |
| Net income | 8,749 | 7,654 | 14.3 | 10,053 | 16,758 | -40.0 |
| Operating income1 | 8,517 | 7,423 | 14.7 | 8,537 | 14,815 | -42.4 |
| Per Share Data | ||||||
| Net income – Class A (diluted) | $ 0.33 | $ 0.30 | 10.0% | $ 0.38 | $ 0.65 | -41.5% |
| Net income – Class B | 0.30 | 0.27 | 11.1 | 0.35 | 0.60 | -41.7 |
| Operating income – Class A (diluted) | 0.32 | 0.29 | 10.3 | 0.32 | 0.58 | -44.8 |
| Operating income – Class B | 0.29 | 0.26 | 11.5 | 0.29 | 0.53 | -45.3 |
| Book value | 15.43 | 14.95 | 3.2 | 15.43 | 14.95 | 3.2 |
1The "Definitions of Non-GAAP and Operating Measures" section of this release defines and reconciles data that the Company has prepared on an accounting basis other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").
Kevin G. Burke, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc., noted, "Donegal Group achieved strong underwriting results during the third quarter of 2014, contributing to net income that ranked among the best quarterly earnings we have achieved over the past five years. We have continued to execute our long-term strategic business plan, which calls for us to outperform the property and casualty insurance industry in terms of service, profitability and book value growth over the long term."
Mr. Burke further remarked, "Our solid growth and profitability for the third quarter of 2014 reflected the value of our conservative underwriting philosophy and consistent growth initiatives. Those initiatives center on our regional business approach with marketing, underwriting and claims service tailored to fit the specific characteristics and needs of our geographic markets."
Mr. Burke continued, "Over the past several years, we have emphasized growth in our commercial lines of business as a means of enhancing our underwriting margins over time. Continuing through the third quarter of 2014, we have been successful in obtaining commercial renewal premium increases in the mid-single-digit percentage range, which has contributed to our net written premium growth. We also continue to attract new business as we expand the distribution of our commercial lines products across our regions, appoint new commercially focused agents and commit additional resources to supporting all of our agency relationships."
Mr. Burke added, "Our personal lines emphasis in recent years has been focused on improving profitability, and we are continuing to realize growth in net premiums earned due to premium rate increases we implemented throughout the past year. Reflecting the benefits of increased premiums and other underwriting initiatives, our personal lines statutory combined ratio declined to 95.2% for the third quarter, representing the most profitable quarterly underwriting results we have reported in this business segment during the past several years.
"We are optimistic about our future prospects based on the value proposition we deliver to our independent agents. Our focused approach on service and responsiveness has set the stage for continued, profitable growth in our regional markets," Mr. Burke concluded.
At September 30, 2014, the Company's book value per share was $15.43, compared to $15.02 at December 31, 2013, and $14.95 at September 30, 2013. The increase in book value at September 30, 2014, reflected the Company's positive earnings contribution and an increase in net unrealized gains in the fair value of the Company's available-for-sale securities portfolio.
Insurance Operations
Donegal Group is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries offer personal and commercial property and casualty lines of insurance in four Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania), three New England states (Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont), seven Southeastern states (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) and eight Midwestern states (Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin). The insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group conduct business together with Donegal Mutual Insurance Company as the Donegal Insurance Group.
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||
| 2014 | 2013 | % Change | 2014 | 2013 | % Change | |
| (dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Net Premiums Written | ||||||
| Personal lines: | ||||||
| Automobile | $ 53,154 | $ 50,838 | 4.6% | $ 155,676 | $ 149,702 | 4.0% |
| Homeowners | 32,057 | 29,768 | 7.7 | 86,142 | 80,712 | 6.7 |
| Other | 4,463 | 4,238 | 5.3 | 12,846 | 11,871 | 8.2 |
| Total personal lines | 89,674 | 84,844 | 5.7 | 254,664 | 242,285 | 5.1 |
| Commercial lines: | ||||||
| Automobile | 15,775 | 14,029 | 12.4 | 50,545 | 45,218 | 11.8 |
| Workers' compensation | 20,682 | 18,344 | 12.7 | 69,605 | 61,262 | 13.6 |
| Commercial multi-peril | 20,072 | 18,038 | 11.3 | 63,863 | 57,695 | 10.7 |
| Other | 1,637 | 1,375 | 19.1 | 5,180 | 3,201 | 61.8 |
| Total commercial lines | 58,166 | 51,786 | 12.3 | 189,193 | 167,376 | 13.0 |
| Total net premiums written | $ 147,840 | $ 136,630 | 8.2% | $ 443,857 | $ 409,661 | 8.3% |
The Company's net premiums written increased 8.2% for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013. This increase represented the combination of 12.3% growth in commercial lines writings and 5.7% growth in personal lines writings. The $11.2 million growth in net premiums written for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013 included:
- $2.3 million, or 1.7% of total net premiums written, related to a 2014 change in the Michigan Insurance Company ("MICO") quota-share reinsurance agreement that continues to reduce the amount of business MICO cedes to external reinsurers. The Company acquired MICO in 2010.
- $5.1 million in commercial lines premiums, excluding the MICO quota-share reinsurance change, that the Company attributes primarily to premium rate increases and new commercial accounts the Company's insurance subsidiaries have written throughout their operating regions.
- $3.8 million in personal lines premiums, excluding the MICO quota-share reinsurance change. The increase reflects the premium rate increases and underwriting initiatives the Company has implemented over the past four quarters.
The Company's net premiums written increased 8.3% in the first nine months of 2014. The increase included $7.7 million related to a reduction in the percentage of the premiums MICO ceded under its quota-share reinsurance agreement with external reinsurers in the first nine months of 2014 compared to 2013. Excluding the quota-share reinsurance change, commercial lines premiums rose $17.4 million and personal lines premiums rose $9.1 million for the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013. Reinsurance reinstatement premiums for the first nine months of 2014 were $3.3 million higher than in the prior-year period.
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| Statutory Combined Ratios | ||||
| Personal Lines: | ||||
| Automobile | 94.0% | 101.9% | 98.4% | 102.1% |
| Homeowners | 97.5 | 93.0 | 99.3 | 94.5 |
| Other | 92.7 | 77.5 | 106.3 | 82.8 |
| Total personal lines | 95.2 | 97.9 | 99.1 | 98.7 |
| Commercial Lines: | ||||
| Automobile | 107.2 | 109.0 | 111.9 | 103.9 |
| Workers' compensation | 89.3 | 93.4 | 92.3 | 100.8 |
| Commercial multi-peril | 95.6 | 87.1 | 107.8 | 96.0 |
| Total commercial lines | 94.4 | 93.0 | 101.3 | 97.5 |
| Total lines | 95.0% | 96.0% | 100.0% | 98.2% |
| GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines) | ||||
| Loss ratio (non-weather) | 56.3% | 57.8% | 60.3% | 61.6% |
| Loss ratio (weather-related) | 7.7 | 7.2 | 9.2 | 6.4 |
| Expense ratio | 32.1 | 32.3 | 31.8 | 31.8 |
| Dividend ratio | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Combined ratio | 96.8% | 97.6% | 101.8% | 100.1% |
For the third quarter of 2014, the Company's statutory loss ratio decreased to 63.6%, compared to 65.1% for the third quarter of 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, the Company's statutory loss ratio increased modestly to 69.6% from 68.2% for the first nine months of 2013.
Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, noted, "We are pleased to have achieved a 95.0% statutory combined ratio for the third quarter of 2014, which reflected a continuation of positive trends within our core underwriting results. All of our major lines of business achieved underwriting profitability, with the exception of commercial automobile. Our commercial automobile combined ratio, while elevated, improved from our experience in that line of business for the prior-year third quarter and the first half of 2014."
Mr. Miller continued, "Our Mid-Atlantic region's underwriting results during the third quarter of 2014 reflected a lesser impact from severe weather events compared to the first half of the year. Conversely, several wind and hail storms impacted policyholders in our Midwest region, and heavy rains within the state of Michigan caused a significant number of water backup claims. No weather event generated an accumulation of claims that exceeded our catastrophe reinsurance retention during the third quarter of 2014, but the increased activity drove weather-related losses slightly above our five-year average for third quarter weather losses."
Weather-related losses were $10.9 million for the third quarter of 2014, representing 7.7 percentage points of the Company's loss ratio, compared to the $9.4 million in weather-related losses, or 7.2 percentage points of the Company's loss ratio, that the Company incurred for the third quarter of 2013.
Large fire losses totaled $6.3 million in the third quarter of 2014, or 4.4 percentage points of the Company's loss ratio, increasing from the $3.1 million, or 2.4 percentage points of the Company's loss ratio, that the Company experienced during the third quarter of 2013. The increase in large fire losses reflected increased claim activity in both the homeowners and commercial multi-peril lines of business. Development of reserves for losses incurred in prior accident years added 1.4 percentage points to the Company's loss ratio for the third quarter of 2014, compared to 2.4 percentage points for the third quarter of 2013.
The Company's statutory expense ratio1 of 30.7% for the third quarter of 2014 was comparable to the 30.6% statutory expense ratio for the third quarter of 2013.
Investment Operations
Donegal Group's investment strategy is to generate an appropriate amount of after-tax income on its invested assets while minimizing credit risk through investment in high-quality securities. As a result, the Company had invested 89.7% of its consolidated investment portfolio in diversified, highly rated and marketable fixed-maturity securities at September 30, 2014.
| September 30, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | |||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | |
| (dollars in thousands) | ||||
| Fixed maturities, at carrying value: | ||||
| U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies | $ 72,449 | 8.8% | $ 62,279 | 7.9% |
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 375,905 | 45.5 | 385,982 | 48.7 |
| Corporate securities | 111,306 | 13.5 | 55,547 | 7.0 |
| Mortgage-backed securities | 180,902 | 21.9 | 140,214 | 17.7 |
| Total fixed maturities | 740,562 | 89.7 | 644,022 | 81.3 |
| Equity securities, at fair value | 30,087 | 3.6 | 12,423 | 1.6 |
| Investments in affiliates | 38,838 | 4.7 | 35,685 | 4.5 |
| Short-term investments, at cost | 16,433 | 2.0 | 99,678 | 12.6 |
| Total investments | $ 825,920 | 100.0% | $ 791,808 | 100.0% |
| Average investment yield | 2.2% | 2.4% | ||
| Average tax-equivalent investment yield | 3.0% | 3.3% | ||
| Average fixed-maturity duration (years) | 4.7 | 4.5 | ||
A 7.0% decrease in net investment income for the third quarter of 2014 primarily reflected the impact of the lower average investment yield on the Company's fixed-maturity securities portfolio, offset partially by an increase in average invested assets, compared to the third quarter of 2013. Net realized investment gains were $351,000 for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $349,000 for the third quarter of 2013. The Company had no impairments in its investment portfolio that it considered to be other than temporary during the third quarter of 2014 or 2013.
Mr. Miller, in commenting on the Company's investment operations, noted, "During the third quarter of 2014, we continued to stay the course in terms of investment strategy. We reinvested proceeds from maturing investments into longer-duration municipal bonds to provide future investment income, but we continued to maintain a relatively short average portfolio duration so we are positioned to take advantage of potential future increases in interest rates."
The Company owns 48.2% of the outstanding stock of Donegal Financial Services Corporation ("DFSC"), which owns all of the outstanding capital stock of Union Community Bank. The Company accounts for its investment in DFSC using the equity method of accounting. The Company's equity in the earnings of DFSC was $477,000 for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $735,000 for the third quarter of 2013. Donegal Mutual Insurance Company owns the remaining 51.8% of the outstanding stock of DFSC.
Definitions of Non-GAAP and Operating Measures
The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements on the basis of GAAP. The Company's insurance subsidiaries also prepare financial statements based on statutory accounting principles state insurance regulators prescribe or permit ("SAP"). In addition to using GAAP-based performance measurements, the Company also utilizes certain non-GAAP financial measures that it believes provide value in managing its business and for comparison to the financial results of its peers. These non-GAAP measures are operating income and statutory combined ratio.
Operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure investors in insurance companies commonly use. The Company defines operating income as net income excluding after-tax net realized investment gains or losses. Because the Company's calculation of operating income may differ from similar measures other companies use, investors should exercise caution when comparing the Company's measure of operating income to that of other companies.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company's net income to its operating income for the periods indicated:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||
| 2014 | 2013 | % Change | 2014 | 2013 | % Change | |
| (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||
| Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating Income | ||||||
| Net income | $ 8,749 | $ 7,654 | 14.3% | $ 10,053 | $ 16,758 | -40.0% |
| Realized gains (after tax) | (232) | (231) | 0.4 | (1,516) | (1,943) | -22.0 |
| Operating income | $ 8,517 | $ 7,423 | 14.7% | $ 8,537 | $ 14,815 | -42.4% |
| Per Share Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating Income | ||||||
| Net income – Class A (diluted) | $ 0.33 | $ 0.30 | 10.0% | $ 0.38 | $ 0.65 | -41.5% |
| Realized gains (after tax) | (0.01) | (0.01) | -- | (0.06) | (0.07) | -14.3 |
| Operating income – Class A | $ 0.32 | $ 0.29 | 10.3% | $ 0.32 | $ 0.58 | -44.8% |
| Net income – Class B | $ 0.30 | $ 0.27 | 11.1% | $ 0.35 | $ 0.60 | -41.7% |
| Realized gains (after tax) | (0.01) | (0.01) | -- | (0.06) | (0.07) | -14.3 |
| Operating income – Class B | $ 0.29 | $ 0.26 | 11.5% | $ 0.29 | $ 0.53 | -45.3% |
Statutory combined ratio is a non-GAAP standard measurement of underwriting profitability that is based upon amounts determined under SAP. The statutory combined ratio is the sum of:
- the statutory loss ratio, which is the ratio of calendar-year incurred losses and loss expenses to premiums earned;
- the statutory expense ratio, which is the ratio of expenses incurred for net commissions, premium taxes and underwriting expenses to premiums written; and
- the statutory dividend ratio, which is the ratio of policyholder dividends to premiums earned.
The statutory combined ratio does not reflect investment income, federal income taxes or other non-operating income or expense. A statutory combined ratio of less than 100% generally indicates underwriting profitability.
Conference Call and Webcast
The Company will hold a conference call and webcast on Friday, October 24, 2014, beginning at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time. You may listen via the Internet by accessing the webcast link on the Company's web site at http://investors.donegalgroup.com. A replay of the conference call will also be available via the Company's web site.
About the Company
Donegal Group is an insurance holding company. The Company's Class A common stock and Class B common stock trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols DGICA and DGICB, respectively. As an effective acquirer of small to medium-sized "main street" property and casualty insurers, Donegal Group has grown profitably since its formation in 1986. The Company continues to seek opportunities for growth while striving to achieve its longstanding goal of outperforming the industry in terms of service, profitability and growth in book value.
As Forbes reported in April 2014, Donegal Group Inc. was named to a list of the Most Trustworthy Financial Companies for 2014, ranking the Company among firms that have consistently demonstrated transparent and conservative accounting practices and solid corporate governance and management. A reprint of the Forbes article is available as a "Featured Report" on the Company's web site.
Safe Harbor
We base all statements contained in this release that are not historic facts on our current expectations. These statements are forward-looking in nature (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially include: our ability to maintain profitable operations, the adequacy of the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries, business and economic conditions in the areas in which we operate, interest rates, competition from various insurance and other financial businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, adverse and catastrophic weather events, legal and judicial developments, changes in regulatory requirements, our ability to integrate and manage successfully the companies we may acquire from time to time and other risks we describe from time to time in the periodic reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that we may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
| Donegal Group Inc. | ||
| Consolidated Statements of Income | ||
| (unaudited; in thousands, except share data) | ||
| Quarter Ended September 30, | ||
| 2014 | 2013 | |
| Net premiums earned | $ 142,150 | $ 130,645 |
| Investment income, net of expenses | 4,299 | 4,624 |
| Net realized investment gains | 351 | 349 |
| Lease income | 217 | 213 |
| Installment payment fees | 1,641 | 1,769 |
| Equity in earnings of DFSC | 477 | 735 |
| Total revenues | 149,135 | 138,335 |
| Net losses and loss expenses | 91,004 | 84,883 |
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 22,889 | 20,766 |
| Other underwriting expenses | 22,795 | 21,455 |
| Policyholder dividends | 934 | 457 |
| Interest | 368 | 432 |
| Other expenses | 531 | 828 |
| Total expenses | 138,521 | 128,821 |
| Income before income tax expense | 10,614 | 9,514 |
| Income tax expense | 1,865 | 1,860 |
| Net income | $ 8,749 | $ 7,654 |
| Net income per common share: | ||
| Class A - basic and diluted | $ 0.33 | $ 0.30 |
| Class B - basic and diluted | $ 0.30 | $ 0.27 |
| Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data | ||
| Weighted-average number of shares outstanding: | ||
| Class A - basic | 21,175,388 | 20,383,165 |
| Class A - diluted | 21,701,648 | 20,607,611 |
| Class B - basic and diluted | 5,576,775 | 5,576,775 |
| Net written premiums | $ 147,840 | $ 136,630 |
| Book value per common share at end of period | $ 15.43 | $ 14.95 |
| Annualized return on average equity | 8.5% | 7.9% |
| Donegal Group Inc. | ||
| Consolidated Statements of Income | ||
| (unaudited; in thousands, except share data) | ||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||
| 2014 | 2013 | |
| Net premiums earned | $ 412,287 | $ 382,310 |
| Investment income, net of expenses | 13,529 | 14,110 |
| Net realized investment gains | 2,297 | 2,944 |
| Lease income | 644 | 639 |
| Installment payment fees | 4,965 | 5,212 |
| Equity in earnings of DFSC | 1,235 | 2,500 |
| Total revenues | 434,957 | 407,715 |
| Net losses and loss expenses | 286,524 | 259,935 |
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 66,233 | 60,236 |
| Other underwriting expenses | 64,800 | 61,336 |
| Policyholder dividends | 1,936 | 1,272 |
| Interest | 1,177 | 1,253 |
| Other expenses | 2,146 | 3,223 |
| Total expenses | 422,816 | 387,255 |
| Income before income tax expense | 12,141 | 20,460 |
| Income tax expense | 2,088 | 3,702 |
| Net income | $ 10,053 | $ 16,758 |
| Net income per common share: | ||
| Class A - basic | $ 0.39 | $ 0.66 |
| Class A - diluted | $ 0.38 | $ 0.65 |
| Class B - basic and diluted | $ 0.35 | $ 0.60 |
| Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data | ||
| Weighted-average number of shares outstanding: | ||
| Class A - basic | 21,004,426 | 20,246,449 |
| Class A - diluted | 21,436,188 | 20,551,826 |
| Class B - basic and diluted | 5,576,775 | 5,576,775 |
| Net written premiums | $ 443,857 | $ 409,661 |
| Book value per common share at end of period | $ 15.43 | $ 14.95 |
| Annualized return on average equity | 3.3% | 5.7% |
| Donegal Group Inc. | ||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||
| (in thousands) | ||
| September 30, | December 31, | |
| 2014 | 2013 | |
| (unaudited) | ||
| ASSETS | ||
| Investments: | ||
| Fixed maturities: | ||
| Held to maturity, at amortized cost | $ 308,941 | $ 240,370 |
| Available for sale, at fair value | 431,621 | 403,652 |
| Equity securities, at fair value | 30,087 | 12,423 |
| Investments in affiliates | 38,838 | 35,685 |
| Short-term investments, at cost | 16,433 | 99,678 |
| Total investments | 825,920 | 791,808 |
| Cash | 30,998 | 27,636 |
| Premiums receivable | 139,567 | 123,905 |
| Reinsurance receivable | 251,812 | 244,239 |
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | 49,082 | 43,628 |
| Prepaid reinsurance premiums | 121,162 | 112,664 |
| Other assets | 39,181 | 41,531 |
| Total assets | $ 1,457,722 | $ 1,385,411 |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||
| Liabilities: | ||
| Losses and loss expenses | $ 520,103 | $ 495,619 |
| Unearned premiums | 422,802 | 382,735 |
| Accrued expenses | 16,961 | 19,265 |
| Borrowings under line of credit | 56,000 | 58,000 |
| Subordinated debentures | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Other liabilities | 21,912 | 27,915 |
| Total liabilities | 1,042,778 | 988,534 |
| Stockholders' equity: | ||
| Class A common stock | 223 | 218 |
| Class B common stock | 56 | 56 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 197,754 | 189,116 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 4,222 | (2,313) |
| Retained earnings | 225,791 | 222,889 |
| Treasury stock, at cost | (13,102) | (13,089) |
| Total stockholders' equity | 414,944 | 396,877 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 1,457,722 | $ 1,385,411 |