HCI Group Reports First Quarter 2016 Results


TAMPA, Fla., May 03, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HCI Group, Inc. (NYSE:HCI), a holding company primarily engaged in homeowners insurance, with additional operations in reinsurance, real estate and information technology, reported results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

First Quarter 2016 - Financial Results 
Net income totaled $6.1 million or $0.60 diluted earnings per share compared with $25.4 million or $2.21 diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of 2015.

Gross premiums earned decreased 9.8% to $98.8 million from $109.6 million in the same period in 2015. The decrease was attributable to normal policy attrition as well as the previously announced rate decrease that was effective January 1, 2016 for new and renewal homeowners multi-peril business.

Premiums ceded were $40.4 million, which increased from $27.8 million in the first quarter of 2015. The $12.6 million increase is primarily attributable to an increase in the overall cost of our 2015/16 reinsurance program due to growth in our book of business between the 2014/15 and 2015/16 program years. 

Net premiums earned (defined as gross premiums earned less premiums ceded to reinsurance companies) were $58.4 million compared with $81.7 million in the same period in 2015.

Investment income was $1.4 million compared with $1.2 million in the same period in 2015. Additionally, the company recognized net non-cash charges of $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2016 and $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2015 due to declines in the fair value of securities determined to be other than temporary.

During the first quarter of 2016, the company repurchased $13.0 million in principal of the 3.875% convertible senior notes for $11.3 million including commissions. As a result, a gain on extinguishment of approximately $153,000 was recognized, net of $1.6 million in unamortized debt discount, issuance costs and commissions. No senior notes were repurchased during 2015.  We also repurchased 186,858 common shares during the quarter through the share repurchase plan approved by our Board of Directors in December 2015.  These shares were repurchased at an average price, inclusive of fees and commissions, of $32.15 per share.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses were $27.1 million compared with $19.0 million in the same period in 2015. Our 2016 losses and loss adjustment expenses were impacted by weather-related events occurring in the quarter and reserve strengthening due to noted trends involving assignment of benefits and related litigation.

Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses were $11.1 million compared with $9.8 million in the comparable period in 2015. The increase was primarily attributable to commissions and premium taxes related to the policies assumed in 2015 from Citizens that have renewed and are included in 2016 written premiums.

First Quarter 2016 - Financial Ratios 
The company’s loss ratio (defined as losses and loss adjustment expenses related to net premiums earned) was 46.3% compared with 23.3% for the first quarter of 2015.

The expense ratio (defined as underwriting expenses, salaries and wages, interest and other operating expenses related to net premiums earned) was 41.0% compared with 27.1% for the same prior year period.

Expressed as a total of all expenses related to net premiums earned, the combined loss and expense ratio was 87.3% compared with 50.4% for the same year-ago period.

Due to the impact our reinsurance costs have on net premiums earned from period to period, we believe the combined ratio measured to gross premiums earned is more relevant in assessing overall performance.  The combined ratio to gross premiums earned was 51.7% compared with 37.6% for the first quarter of 2015.

Management Commentary 
“Our first quarter results reflected the strength of our core book of business as we were able to produce profitable results in light of an unusually high number of adverse weather events in Florida,” said Paresh Patel, HCI Group’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We continue to optimize our book of business to mitigate our risks and position the company to navigate the ever-changing Florida insurance landscape.”

Conference Call 
HCI Group will hold a conference call later today, May 3, 2016, to discuss these financial results. Chairman and chief executive officer, Paresh Patel, and chief financial officer, Richard Allen, will host the call starting at 4:45 p.m. Eastern time. A question and answer session will follow management's presentation.

Interested parties can listen to the live presentation by dialing the listen-only number below or by clicking the webcast link available on the Investor Information section of the company's website at www.hcigroup.com.

Listen-only toll-free number: (877) 407-8033
Listen-only international number: (201) 689-8033
Conference ID: 13633473

Please call the conference telephone number 10 minutes before the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Liolios at (949) 574-3860.

A replay of the call will be available by telephone after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day as the call and via the Investor Information section of the HCI Group website at www.hcigroup.com through June 3, 2016.

Toll-free replay number: (877) 660-6853
International replay number: (201) 612-7415
Conference ID: 13633473

About HCI Group, Inc.
HCI Group, Inc. owns subsidiaries engaged in diverse, yet complementary business activities, including homeowners insurance, reinsurance, real estate and information technology. The company's largest subsidiary, Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc., is a leading provider of property and casualty insurance in the state of Florida.

The company's common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "HCI" and are included in the Russell 2000 and S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Its 8% Senior Notes trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "HCJ." For more information about HCI Group, visit www.hcigroup.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "confident," "prospects" and "project" and other similar words and expressions are intended to signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions but rather are subject to various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance, for example, that the company will be well positioned to navigate the future Florida insurance landscape. Some of these risks and uncertainties are identified in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should any risks or uncertainties develop into actual events, these developments could have material adverse effects on the company's business, financial condition and results of operations. HCI Group, Inc. disclaims all obligations to update any forward-looking statements.

HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
(Dollar amounts in thousands) 
       
       
   At March 31, 2016 At December 31, 2015 
   (Unaudited)     
Assets      
Fixed-maturity securities, available for sale, at fair value      
(amortized cost: $132,016 and $128,614, respectively) $ 130,373   125,009  
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value      
(cost: $46,803 and $47,548, respectively)   48,444   48,237  
Limited partnership investments, at equity   24,729   23,930  
Investment in unconsolidated joint venture, at equity   5,074   4,787  
Real estate investments (inclusive of $2,936 and $2,906 of consolidated variable      
interest entities, respectively)   30,979   30,954  
Total investments   239,599   232,917  
Cash and cash equivalents (inclusive of $36 and $57 of consolidated      
variable interest entities, respectively)   277,913   267,738  
Accrued interest and dividends receivable   1,434   1,390  
Premiums receivable   18,701   19,631  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums   16,923   40,747  
Income taxes receivable      1,858  
Deferred income taxes, net   2,473   3,189  
Deferred policy acquisition costs   16,453   18,602  
Property and equipment, net   11,711   11,786  
Other assets   44,720   39,128  
       
Total assets $ 629,927   636,986  
       
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      
Losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 53,271   51,690  
Unearned premiums   164,031   187,290  
Advance premiums   16,854   4,983  
Assumed reinsurance balances payable   1,087   1,084  
Accrued expenses (inclusive of $30 and $21 of consolidated variable interest      
entities, respectively)   10,150   6,316  
Income taxes payable   2,259     
Long-term debt   127,397   129,429  
Other liabilities (inclusive of $1,124 and $1,108 of consolidated variable interest      
entities, respectively)   17,641   18,472  
       
Total liabilities   392,690   399,264  
       
Stockholders’ equity:      
7% Series A cumulative convertible preferred stock (no par value,      
1,500,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding)        
Series B junior participating preferred stock (no par value, 400,000          
shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding)        
Preferred stock (no par value 18,100,000 shares authorized,          
no shares issued or outstanding)        
Common stock, (no par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized,          
9,937,756 and 10,292,256 shares issued and outstanding in          
2016 and 2015, respectively)        
Additional paid-in capital   18,549   23,879  
Retained income   218,689   215,634  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes   (1)  (1,791) 
       
Total stockholders’ equity   237,237   237,722  
       
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 629,927   636,986  
       
       

 

HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
         
  Three Months Ended   
  March 31,   
  2016  2015    
  (Unaudited)   
Revenue    
         
Gross premiums earned $ 98,819   109,567    
Premiums ceded   (40,372)  (27,839)   
         
Net premiums earned   58,447   81,728    
         
Net investment income   1,490   1,409    
Net realized investment losses   (75)  (193)   
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in income:        
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses   (408)  (1,690)   
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income,        
before taxes   (267)      
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses   (675)  (1,690)   
Policy fee income   1,007   541    
Gain on repurchases of convertible senior notes   153       
Other   400   415    
         
Total revenue   60,747   82,210    
         
Expenses        
     
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   27,080   19,039    
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses   11,110   9,799    
Salaries and wages   5,384   4,898    
Interest expense   2,829   2,661    
Other operating expenses   4,647   4,767    
         
Total expenses   51,050   41,164    
         
Income before income taxes   9,697   41,046    
     
Income taxes   3,641   15,668    
         
Net income $ 6,056   25,378    
         
Basic earnings per share $ 0.60   2.50    
         
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.60   2.21    
         
Dividends per share $ 0.30   0.30    
         

 

 


            

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