MARIETTA, Pa., April 24, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Donegal Group Inc. (Nasdaq:DGICA) (Nasdaq:DGICB) today reported that its net income for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009 was $169,804, or $.01 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis, compared to $6,559,083, or $.26 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis, for the first quarter of 2008. As Donegal Group previously announced, higher losses and loss expenses from claim activity attributable to severe winter weather in the Company's operating areas and an unusually large number of fire losses adversely impacted the Company's net income for the first quarter of 2009.
The Company's revenues for the first quarter of 2009 were $95,487,364, an increase of 6.3% over the year-earlier period, with net premiums earned of $88,349,543, representing a 7.7% increase over the first quarter of 2008. Net premiums written in the first quarter of 2009 were $88,003,128, an expected decrease from net premiums written in the first quarter of 2008, when the Company received a transfer of $13.6 million in unearned premiums pursuant to a change in the pooling agreement between Atlantic States Insurance Company and Donegal Mutual Insurance Company effective March 1, 2008. The Company expects its 2009 reinsurance costs will be comparable to those incurred for 2008, as modest rate increases for certain reinsurance coverage were offset by a rate reduction resulting from the Company's decision to increase its per loss retention from $600,000 to $750,000 effective January 1, 2009.
Net investment income decreased modestly to $5,357,589 for the first quarter of 2009, compared to $5,691,741 for the first quarter of 2008. The impact of lower short-term interest rates during the first quarter of 2009 offset investment income attributable to an increase in average invested assets compared to the year earlier period. The Company did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairments in its securities portfolio in the first quarter of 2009.
The Company's combined ratio was 105.9% for the first quarter of 2009, compared to 97.8% for the first quarter of 2008. The increase in the Company's combined ratio resulted from an increase in its loss ratio during the first quarter of 2009 to 74.7%, compared to the loss ratio of 65.6% the Company posted for the first quarter of 2008. The Company incurred a substantial number of wind, hail and fire claims throughout its operating regions in the 2009 period. The Company's reinsurance program limited the impact of several weather events occurring in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. The Company's expense ratio decreased to 31.0% for the first quarter of 2009, compared to 31.9% for the first quarter of 2008, reflecting the benefits of increased net premiums earned during the first quarter of 2009 and expense savings initiatives commenced in the fourth quarter of 2008. Both quarterly periods reflected reduced levels of underwriting-based incentive compensation costs due to loss ratios that were higher in those periods. The Company previously announced that it accrued $1.4 million on a pre-tax basis during the first quarter of 2009 related to an adverse court ruling in a contested premium tax issue, which the Company is appealing. The impact of this court ruling is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's future results of operations.
The Company's total stockholders' equity, or book value, increased to $368,349,746, a per common share amount of $14.47, at March 31, 2009, compared to $363,583,865, a per common share amount of $14.29, at December 31, 2008. The Company attributes this increase in book value primarily to net unrealized gains in the fair value of its available-for-sale fixed maturity investments during the first quarter of 2009.
"We are disappointed to report adverse underwriting results for the first quarter, but we do not believe that the increased claim activity reflects any deficiency in our underwriting process. In spite of the numerous challenges we faced in the first quarter, we are pleased that our conservative investment philosophy has once again contributed to an increase in our book value. We continue to be well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities that might arise," stated Donald H. Nikolaus, President and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc.
The Company's board of directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend payable May 15, 2009 of $.1125 per share of Class A common stock and $.10 per share of Class B common stock to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 1, 2009. These dividends represent percentage increases of 7.1% for the Company's Class A common stock and 8.1% for the Company's Class B common stock compared to the previous quarterly cash dividend.
The Company will hold a conference call and webcast on Friday, April 24, 2009, beginning at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time. You may listen via the Internet by accessing the webcast link in the Investors area of the Company's web site at www.donegalgroup.com. A replay of the conference call will also be available via the Company's web site.
Donegal Group Inc. is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries offer personal and commercial property and casualty lines of insurance in five Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania), seven Southeastern states (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) and six Midwestern states (Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin).
All statements contained in this press release that are not historic facts are based on current expectations. Such statements are forward-looking in nature (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and necessarily involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially. The factors that could cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to maintain profitable operations, the adequacy of the Company's reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, business and economic conditions in the areas in which the Company operates, conditions resulting from the ongoing recession in the United States, severe weather events, competition from various insurance and non-insurance businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, legal and judicial developments, changes in regulatory requirements and other risks that the Company describes from time to time in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that may be made 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.
Financial Highlights
(unaudited)
Quarter Ended March 31
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2009 2008
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Net premiums earned $88,349,543 $82,007,766
Investment income, net of investment
expenses 5,357,589 5,691,741
Net realized investment gains 258,855 695,356
Total revenues 95,487,364 89,792,103
Net income $ 169,804 $ 6,559,083
Net income per common share:
Class A common stock - basic $ 0.01 $ 0.26
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Class A common stock - diluted $ 0.01 $ 0.26
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Class B common stock - basic and diluted $ 0.01 $ 0.24
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Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
Quarter Ended March 31
------------------------
2009 2008
----------- -----------
Net premiums earned $ 88,349 $ 82,008
Investment income, net of investment
expenses 5,357 5,692
Net realized investment gains 259 695
Lease income 222 244
Installment payment fees 1,300 1,153
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Total revenues 95,487 89,792
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Net losses and loss expenses 65,949 53,785
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs 14,733 13,719
Other underwriting expenses 12,677 12,403
Other expenses 468 499
Policyholder dividends 243 270
Interest 1,205 613
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Total expenses 95,275 81,289
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Income before income tax expense 212 8,503
Income tax expense 42 1,944
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Net income $ 170 $ 6,559
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Net income per common share:
Class A common stock - basic $ 0.01 $ 0.26
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Class A common stock - diluted $ 0.01 $ 0.26
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Class B common stock - basic and diluted $ 0.01 $ 0.24
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Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data
Weighted-average number of shares
outstanding:
Class A common stock - basic 19,883,429 19,787,849
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Class A common stock - diluted 19,883,429 19,930,680
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Class B common stock - basic and diluted 5,576,775 5,576,775
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Net written premiums $ 88,003 $ 99,675
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Book value per common share at end of
period $ 14.47 $ 14.01
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Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
----------- -----------
(unaudited)
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturities:
Held to maturity, at amortized cost $ 90,023 $ 99,878
Available for sale, at fair value 485,222 445,816
Equity securities, at fair value 7,906 5,895
Investments in affiliates 8,707 8,594
Short-term investments, at cost 47,760 71,953
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Total investments 639,618 632,136
Cash 2,291 1,831
Premiums receivable 56,804 55,337
Reinsurance receivable 83,104 79,953
Accrued investment income 6,563 6,656
Deferred policy acquisition costs 29,626 29,541
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 52,090 51,436
Property and equipment, net 6,999 6,687
Deferred tax asset, net 8,665 10,995
Other assets 4,619 5,537
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Total assets $ 890,379 $ 880,109
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Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
(in thousands)
March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
----------- -----------
(unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Losses and loss expenses $ 249,158 $ 239,809
Unearned premiums 229,321 229,014
Accrued expenses 11,762 14,150
Subordinated debentures 15,465 15,465
Due to affiliate 1,155 3,148
Accounts payable - securities 7,262 1,821
Other liabilities 7,906 13,118
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Total liabilities 522,029 516,525
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Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock -- --
Class A common stock 205 205
Class B common stock 56 56
Additional paid-in capital 163,461 163,137
Accumulated other comprehensive income 6,053 1,714
Retained earnings 207,323 207,182
Treasury stock, at cost (8,748) (8,710)
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Total stockholders' equity 368,350 363,584
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Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $ 890,379 $ 880,109
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