MARIETTA, Pa., April 24, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Donegal Group Inc. (Nasdaq:DGICA) (Nasdaq:DGICB) today reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2015. Highlights included:
- Net income of $6.9 million, or 25 cents per diluted Class A share, for the first quarter of 2015, a significant improvement compared to a net loss of $634,414, or 2 cents per diluted Class A share, for the first quarter of 2014
- Results reflect lower pre-tax effect of winter weather-related losses of $8.8 million for the first quarter of 2015, compared to $15.3 million for the first quarter of 2014
- Statutory combined ratio1 of 96.9% for the first quarter of 2015, compared to 103.2% for the prior-year first quarter
- 8.3% increase in net premiums written to $156.6 million, primarily reflecting continuing growth in commercial lines
- Book value per share of $15.68 at March 31, 2015, compared to $15.40 at year-end 2014
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
| 2015 | 2014 | % Change | |
| (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||
| Income Statement Data | |||
| Net premiums earned | $ 146,530 | $ 133,548 | 9.7% |
| Investment income, net | 4,949 | 4,616 | 7.2 |
| Realized gains (losses) | 1,046 | (89) | NM2 |
| Total revenues | 154,772 | 140,339 | 10.3 |
| Net income (loss) | 6,854 | (634) | NM |
| Operating income (loss)1 | 6,174 | (576) | NM |
| Per Share Data | |||
| Net income (loss) – Class A (diluted) | $ 0.25 | $ (0.02) | NM |
| Net income (loss) – Class B | 0.23 | (0.02) | NM |
| Operating income (loss) – Class A (diluted) | 0.23 | (0.02) | NM |
| Operating income (loss) – Class B | 0.21 | (0.02) | NM |
| Book value | 15.68 | 15.18 | 3.3 |
1The "Definitions of Non-GAAP and Operating Measures" section of this release defines and reconciles data that the Company prepares on an accounting basis other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").
2Not meaningful.
Kevin G. Burke, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc., noted, "Donegal Group achieved solid underwriting results for the first quarter of 2015 that contributed to net income of $6.9 million. We continue to execute on our long-term strategic business plan and to reap rewards from various strategies we have employed over the past few years. In executing our strategic business plan, we strive to outperform the property and casualty insurance industry in terms of service, profitability and book value growth over the long term.
"We have placed a strategic emphasis on leveraging our position as a well-capitalized regional insurance group serving the independent agency market. In conjunction with providing excellent insurance products, advanced technology tools and dedicated service to our independent agents, we tailor our marketing, underwriting and claims service to fit the specific characteristics and needs of our regional markets," Mr. Burke added.
"Our strong agency relationships were a key factor in our ability to achieve commercial renewal premium increases in the mid-single-digit range during the first quarter of 2015. At the same time, our ongoing focus on expanding the distribution of our commercial products across our regions, appointing new commercially focused agents and committing additional resources to support our existing agency relationships continues to provide a steady flow of new business opportunities."
Mr. Burke concluded, "We are also maintaining our focus on personal lines profitability. The 98.4% statutory combined ratio for the first quarter of 2015 for our personal lines segment reflected the benefits of premium rate increases and other underwriting initiatives we have employed. We believe our focus on quality underwriting, our expanding use of predictive modeling and implementation of rate increases, where appropriate, will help us to achieve consistent profitability in this business segment."
Donald H. Nikolaus, Chairman and President, further remarked, "One of the notable highlights for the first quarter of 2015 was the continued benefit of premium growth from our 2010 acquisition of Michigan Insurance Company ("MICO"). At the time we acquired MICO, we reinsured 50% of MICO's premiums through a quota-share reinsurance agreement with third-party reinsurers. As we integrated MICO's operations into those of the Donegal Insurance Group, we gradually reduced the percentage of premiums MICO reinsured with third-party reinsurers. Effective January 1, 2015, we eliminated MICO's external quota-share reinsurance. As a result, MICO contributed an additional $5.5 million to our first-quarter net premiums written. This incremental acquisition growth strategy complemented our organic growth initiatives over the past four years and contributed to our above-industry-average growth rate over that period.
"On April 16, 2015, our board of directors expressed its confidence in Donegal Group's future prospects by increasing our quarterly cash dividend rates to 13.5 cents per share of our Class A common stock, a 2.7% increase from the previous quarterly cash dividend rate, and 11.75 cents per share of our Class B common stock, a 1.3% increase from the previous quarterly cash dividend rate. Our board of directors has approved an increase to our quarterly cash dividend rate for 15 consecutive years," Mr. Nikolaus concluded.
At March 31, 2015, the Company's book value per share was $15.68, compared to $15.40 at December 31, 2014. The increase in book value per share reflected the Company's positive earnings contribution during the quarter.
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 seven Midwestern states (Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin). The insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group and Donegal Mutual Insurance Company conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
| 2015 | 2014 | % Change | |
| (dollars in thousands) | |||
| Net Premiums Written | |||
| Personal lines: | |||
| Automobile | $ 52,337 | $ 50,556 | 3.5% |
| Homeowners | 24,410 | 22,915 | 6.5 |
| Other | 4,196 | 3,770 | 11.3 |
| Total personal lines | 80,943 | 77,241 | 4.8 |
| Commercial lines: | |||
| Automobile | 20,123 | 17,260 | 16.6 |
| Workers' compensation | 28,730 | 26,578 | 8.1 |
| Commercial multi-peril | 25,035 | 22,078 | 13.4 |
| Other | 1,816 | 1,425 | 27.4 |
| Total commercial lines | 75,704 | 67,341 | 12.4 |
| Total net premiums written | $ 156,647 | $ 144,582 | 8.3% |
The Company's net premiums written increased 8.3% for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014. This increase represented the combination of 12.4% growth in commercial lines net premiums written and 4.8% growth in personal lines net premiums written. The $12.1 million growth in net premiums written for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014 included:
- $5.5 million, or 3.8% of total net premiums written, related to the termination of the MICO quota-share reinsurance agreement that increased the amount of business MICO retained.
- $4.9 million in commercial lines premiums, in addition to the MICO reinsurance change, that the Company attributed primarily to premium rate increases and new commercial accounts the Company's insurance subsidiaries have written throughout their operating regions.
- $1.7 million in personal lines premiums, in addition to the MICO reinsurance change, that the Company attributed primarily to premium rate increases the Company has implemented over the past four quarters and lower reinsurance reinstatement premiums.
| Three Months Ended | ||
| March 31, | ||
| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Statutory Combined Ratios | ||
| Personal Lines: | ||
| Automobile | 99.5% | 97.9% |
| Homeowners | 98.7 | 109.8 |
| Other | 88.7 | 121.5 |
| Total personal lines | 98.4 | 102.7 |
| Commercial Lines: | ||
| Automobile | 101.5 | 100.0 |
| Workers' compensation | 87.8 | 97.6 |
| Commercial multi-peril | 102.4 | 119.3 |
| Total commercial lines | 95.1 | 104.3 |
| Total lines | 96.9% | 103.2% |
| GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines) | ||
| Loss ratio (non-weather) | 59.5% | 61.7% |
| Loss ratio (weather-related) | 6.0 | 11.4 |
| Expense ratio | 32.7 | 31.3 |
| Dividend ratio | 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Combined ratio | 98.8% | 104.7% |
Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, commented, "The 96.9% statutory combined ratio for the first quarter of 2015 reflected our continuing efforts to enhance our core underwriting results. Both our commercial lines and personal lines segments were profitable. We realized notably favorable results in our workers' compensation line of business, and we were pleased with the improved profitability of our personal and commercial automobile lines of business compared to the fourth quarter of 2014."
For the first quarter of 2015, the Company's statutory loss ratio decreased to 65.8%, compared to 73.6% for the first quarter of 2014. Weather-related losses of $8.8 million for the first quarter of 2015, which equated to 6.0 percentage points of the Company's loss ratio, decreased significantly from the $15.3 million, or 11.4 percentage points of the Company's loss ratio, for the first quarter of 2014. Weather-related loss activity in the first quarter of 2015 was in line with the Company's five-year average for first-quarter weather losses of $8.4 million. Sub-freezing temperatures in the Company's operating regions during February 2015 accounted for a significant portion of the weather-related claim activity for the first quarter of 2015.
Large fire losses of $10.8 million for the first quarter of 2015, or 7.4 percentage points of the Company's loss ratio, were comparable to $10.1 million, or 7.6 percentage points of the Company's loss ratio, for the first quarter of 2014. The increase was primarily related to an increase in fire loss severity in our commercial multi-peril line of business.
Development of reserves for losses incurred in prior accident years was modestly favorable for the first quarters of 2015 and 2014.
Mr. Miller added, "While winter weather conditions in our operating regions were not as severe as in some other parts of the country, our policyholders did experience losses related to sub-freezing temperatures in February. We also saw an elevated level of large fire losses for the first quarter of 2015, which is fairly typical for the first quarter of the year. We were pleased to achieve a 98.7% statutory combined ratio for our homeowners business line in spite of the fire and weather-related losses, reflecting the ongoing benefits of the rate and underwriting actions we have taken in recent years."
The Company's statutory expense ratio1 was 30.5% for the first quarter of 2015, compared to 29.3% for the first quarter of 2014. The increase in the Company's statutory expense ratio reflected increased underwriting-based incentive costs for the first quarter of 2015.
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 89.8% of its consolidated investment portfolio in diversified, highly rated and marketable fixed-maturity securities at March 31, 2015.
| March 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | |||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | |
| (dollars in thousands) | ||||
| Fixed maturities, at carrying value: | ||||
| U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies | $ 86,392 | 10.1% | $ 74,878 | 9.0% |
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 385,181 | 45.2 | 377,241 | 45.3 |
| Corporate securities | 101,238 | 11.9 | 106,171 | 12.7 |
| Mortgage-backed securities | 192,817 | 22.6 | 184,252 | 22.1 |
| Total fixed maturities | 765,628 | 89.8 | 742,542 | 89.1 |
| Equity securities, at fair value | 31,441 | 3.7 | 30,822 | 3.7 |
| Investments in affiliates | 39,434 | 4.6 | 39,284 | 4.7 |
| Short-term investments, at cost | 15,873 | 1.9 | 20,293 | 2.5 |
| Total investments | $ 852,376 | 100.0% | $ 832,941 | 100.0% |
| Average investment yield | 2.3% | 2.3% | ||
| Average tax-equivalent investment yield | 3.1% | 3.1% | ||
| Average fixed-maturity duration (years) | 4.1 | 4.1 | ||
Net investment income of $4.9 million for the first quarter of 2015 increased 7.2% compared to $4.6 million in net investment income for the first quarter of 2014. The increase in net investment income reflected primarily a decreased allocation of expenses to the investment function for the first quarter of 2015. Net realized investment gains were $1.0 million for the first quarter of 2015, compared to net realized investment losses of $88,532 for the first quarter of 2014. The Company had no impairments in its investment portfolio that it considered to be other than temporary during the first quarters of 2015 or 2014.
Mr. Miller, in commenting on the Company's investment operations, noted, "We continue to focus our investment strategy on reinvesting the proceeds of called and maturing securities. That strategy has allowed us to stabilize our average portfolio investment yield, while maintaining flexibility within the portfolio to enable us to respond to any change in market conditions. We have also allocated a portion of our portfolio to dividend-paying equity securities, which resulted in an increased contribution of dividend income to our net investment income for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the prior-year first quarter."
The Company owns 48.2% of the outstanding stock of Donegal Financial Services Corporation ("DFSC"). DFSC owns all of the outstanding 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 $526,760 for the first quarter of 2015, compared to $409,242 for the first quarter of 2014. 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 (loss) and statutory combined ratio.
Operating income (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure investors in insurance companies commonly use. The Company defines operating income (loss) as net income (loss) excluding after-tax net realized investment gains or losses. Because the Company's calculation of operating income (loss) may differ from similar measures other companies use, investors should exercise caution when comparing the Company's measure of operating income (loss) to the measure of other companies.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company's net income to the Company's operating income for the periods indicated:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
| 2015 | 2014 | % Change | |
| (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||
| Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating Income | |||
| Net income (loss) | $ 6,854 | $ (634) | NM |
| Realized (gains) losses (after tax) | (680) | 58 | NM |
| Operating income (loss) | $ 6,174 | $ (576) | NM |
| Per Share Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating Income | |||
| Net income (loss) – Class A (diluted) | $ 0.25 | $ (0.02) | NM |
| Realized (gains) losses (after tax) | (0.02) | -- | NM |
| Operating income (loss)– Class A | $ 0.23 | $ (0.02) | NM |
| Net income (loss) – Class B | $ 0.23 | $ (0.02) | NM |
| Realized (gains) losses (after tax) | (0.02) | -- | NM |
| Operating income (loss) – Class B | $ 0.21 | $ (0.02) | NM |
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 dividends to holders of workers' compensation policies 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, April 24, 2015, 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 property and casualty insurance industry in terms of service, profitability and growth in book value.
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 our insurance subsidiaries 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 insurance 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 March 31, | ||
| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Net premiums earned | $ 146,530 | $ 133,548 |
| Investment income, net of expenses | 4,949 | 4,616 |
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | 1,046 | (89) |
| Lease income | 200 | 213 |
| Installment payment fees | 1,520 | 1,642 |
| Equity in earnings of DFSC | 527 | 409 |
| Total revenues | 154,772 | 140,339 |
| Net losses and loss expenses | 95,939 | 97,632 |
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 24,010 | 21,319 |
| Other underwriting expenses | 23,833 | 20,459 |
| Policyholder dividends | 918 | 395 |
| Interest | 331 | 365 |
| Other expenses | 726 | 962 |
| Total expenses | 145,757 | 141,132 |
| Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) | 9,015 | (793) |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 2,161 | (159) |
| Net income (loss) | $ 6,854 | $ (634) |
| Net income (loss) per common share: | ||
| Class A - basic | $ 0.26 | $ (0.02) |
| Class A - diluted | $ 0.25 | $ (0.02) |
| Class B - basic and diluted | $ 0.23 | $ (0.02) |
| Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data | ||
| Weighted-average number of shares outstanding: | ||
| Class A - basic | 21,533,443 | 20,873,043 |
| Class A - diluted | 22,113,889 | 21,253,229 |
| Class B - basic and diluted | 5,576,775 | 5,576,775 |
| Net premiums written | $ 156,647 | $ 144,582 |
| Book value per common share at end of period | $ 15.68 | $ 15.18 |
| Annualized return on average equity | 6.5% | -0.6% |
| Donegal Group Inc. | ||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||
| (in thousands) | ||
| March 31, | December 31, | |
| 2015 | 2014 | |
| (unaudited) | ||
| ASSETS | ||
| Investments: | ||
| Fixed maturities: | ||
| Held to maturity, at amortized cost | $ 305,006 | $ 307,392 |
| Available for sale, at fair value | 460,622 | 435,150 |
| Equity securities, at fair value | 31,441 | 30,822 |
| Investments in affiliates | 39,434 | 39,284 |
| Short-term investments, at cost | 15,873 | 20,293 |
| Total investments | 852,376 | 832,941 |
| Cash | 27,913 | 35,579 |
| Premiums receivable | 143,668 | 133,307 |
| Reinsurance receivable | 265,967 | 253,636 |
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | 50,068 | 48,299 |
| Prepaid reinsurance premiums | 116,699 | 115,872 |
| Other assets | 38,578 | 39,021 |
| Total assets | $ 1,495,269 | $ 1,458,655 |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||
| Liabilities: | ||
| Losses and loss expenses | $ 557,001 | $ 538,258 |
| Unearned premiums | 419,591 | 408,646 |
| Accrued expenses | 16,685 | 19,430 |
| Borrowings under line of credit | 55,000 | 53,500 |
| Subordinated debentures | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Other liabilities | 16,462 | 17,686 |
| Total liabilities | 1,069,739 | 1,042,520 |
| Stockholders' equity: | ||
| Class A common stock | 225 | 224 |
| Class B common stock | 56 | 56 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 202,972 | 200,349 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 5,481 | 5,354 |
| Retained earnings | 229,898 | 223,254 |
| Treasury stock, at cost | (13,102) | (13,102) |
| Total stockholders' equity | 425,530 | 416,135 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 1,495,269 | $ 1,458,655 |