(866) 889-5012 Mercury General Corporation Announces Second Quarter Results and Declares Quarterly Dividend
Mercury General Corporation (NYSE: MCY) reported today for the second quarter of 2010:
Consolidated Highlights
Three Months
Ended
June 30, Change
------
2010 2009 $ %
---- ---- --- ---
(000's except per-share
amounts and ratios)
Net premiums written (1) $631,113 $637,405 $(6,292) (1.0)
Net income $17,817 $114,447 $(96,630) (84.4)
Net income per diluted share $0.32 $2.07 $(1.75) (84.5)
Operating income (1) $35,830 $47,336 $(11,506) (24.3)
Operating income per diluted
share (1) $0.65 $0.86 $(0.21) (24.4)
Severance related expenses (2) $- $- $- -
Net expense related to
amortization of December 31,
2008
AIS deferred policy
acquisition costs (2) (3) $- $3,000 $(3,000) -
Costs related to support of
California Proposition 17 (4) $12,100 $- $12,100 -
2.9
Combined ratio 99.0% 96.1% - pts
Six Months Ended
June 30, Change
------
2010 2009 $ %
---- ---- --- ---
(000's except per-share
amounts and ratios)
Net premiums written (1) $1,283,575 $1,308,297 $(24,722) (1.9)
Net income $78,996 $211,100 $(132,104) (62.6)
Net income per diluted
share $1.44 $3.83 $(2.39) (62.4)
Operating income (1) $82,681 $93,335 $(10,654) (11.4)
Operating income per
diluted share (1) $1.51 $1.69 $(0.18) (10.7)
Severance related
expenses (2) $- $8,000 $(8,000) -
Net expense related to
amortization of December
31, 2008
AIS deferred policy
acquisition costs (2)
(3) $- $15,000 $(15,000) -
Costs related to support
of California
Proposition 17 (4) $12,100 $- $12,100 -
1.2
Combined ratio 97.7% 96.5% - pts
(1) These measures are not based on U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP") and are defined and reconciled to the most directly
comparable GAAP measures in "Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures."
(2) The amounts are rounded to the nearest million.
(3) Represents the net expense related to Auto Insurance Specialists LLC
("AIS") deferred commissions at December 31, 2008 amortized in 2009,
partially offset by deferred costs related to policy sales made by AIS
in 2009.
(4) The Company supported the Continuous Coverage Auto Insurance Discount
Act ("Proposition 17").
Net income in the second quarter 2010 was $17.8 million ($0.32 per diluted share) compared with net income of $114.4 million ($2.07 per diluted share) for the same period in 2009. For the first six months of 2010, net income was $79.0 million ($1.44 per diluted share) compared with net income of $211.1 million ($3.83 per diluted share) for the same period in 2009. Included in net income are net realized investment losses, net of tax, of $18.0 million ($0.33 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2010 compared with net realized investment gains, net of tax, of $67.1 million ($1.21 per diluted share) for the same period in 2009, and net realized investment losses, net of tax, of $3.7 million ($0.07 per diluted share) for the first six months of 2010 compared with net realized investment gains, net of tax, of $117.8 million ($2.14 per diluted share) for the same period in 2009. Operating income was $35.8 million ($0.65 per diluted share) for the second quarter of 2010 compared with operating income of $47.3 million ($0.86 per diluted share) for the same period in 2009. For the first six months of 2010, operating income was $82.7 million ($1.51 per diluted share) compared with operating income of $93.3 million ($1.69 per diluted share) for the same period in 2009.
Net premiums written were $631.1 million in the second quarter of 2010, a 1.0% decrease compared to the second quarter 2009 net premiums written of $637.4 million, and were approximately $1.3 billion for the first six months of 2010, a 1.9% decrease compared to the same period in 2009. Net realized investment losses, net of tax, of $18.0 million and $3.7 million for the second quarter and for the first six months of 2010, respectively, include losses, net of tax, of $19.8 million and $7.5 million, respectively, from the application of the fair value option. Gains, net of tax, from the sale of securities were $1.2 million and $3.2 million during the second quarter and the first six months of 2010, respectively.
The Company's combined ratio (GAAP basis) was 99.0% in the second quarter of 2010 and 97.7% for the first six months of 2010 compared with 96.1% and 96.5% for the same periods in 2009. The loss ratio was affected by favorable development of approximately $22 million and $38 million on prior accident years' losses and loss adjustment expenses reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The favorable development in 2010 is largely the result of re-estimates of accident year 2009 California bodily injury losses which have experienced both lower average severities and fewer late reported claims (claim count development) than was originally estimated at December 31, 2009.
The Company spent $12.1 million in the second quarter of 2010 supporting Proposition 17, a California ballot initiative that did not pass. It would have provided for a portable persistency discount, allowing insurance companies to offer new customers discounts based on having continuous insurance coverage from any insurance company. Despite the non-passage of Proposition 17, the Company believes it continues to offer a competitive product in California. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010, Proposition 17 costs added 1.9 points and 0.9 points, respectively, to the expense ratio and reduced net income by $0.22 per diluted share in both periods.
Net investment income of $36.5 million (after tax, $32.6 million) in the second quarter of 2010 increased by 0.7% over the same period in 2009. The investment income after-tax yield was 4.2% on average investments (fixed maturities at amortized cost, equities and short-term investments at cost) of $3.1 billion for the second quarter 2010. This compares with an investment income after-tax yield of 4.1% on average investments of $3.2 billion for the same period in 2009. Net investment income for the first six months of 2010 was $72.4 million (after tax $64.8 million), a decrease of 2.4% compared to the same period in 2009. The investment income after-tax yield was 4.2% on average assets of $3.1 billion for the first six months of 2010. This compares with an investment income after-tax yield of 4.1% on average investments of $3.2 billion for the same period in 2009.
The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.59 per share. The dividend is to be paid on September 30, 2010 to shareholders of record on September 16, 2010.
Mercury General Corporation and its subsidiaries are a multiple line insurance organization offering predominantly personal automobile and homeowners insurance through a network of independent producers in many states. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.mercuryinsurance.com. The Company will be hosting a conference call and webcast today at 10:00 A.M. Pacific time where management will discuss results and address questions. The teleconference and webcast can be accessed by calling (877) 807-1888 (USA), (706) 679-3827 (International) or by visiting www.mercuryinsurance.com. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 1:30 P.M. Pacific time and running through August 8, 2010. The replay telephone numbers are (800) 642-1687 (USA) or (706) 645-9291 (International). The conference ID# is 87364379. The replay will also be available on the Company's website shortly following the call.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by the Company. Actual results may differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the Company) and are subject to change based upon various factors, including but not limited to the following risks and uncertainties: changes in the demand for the Company's insurance products, inflation and general economic conditions, including the impact of current economic conditions on the Company's market and investment portfolio; the accuracy and adequacy of the Company's pricing methodologies; adverse weather conditions or natural disasters in the markets served by the Company; general market risks associated with the Company's investment portfolio; uncertainties related to estimates, assumptions and projections generally; the possibility that actual loss experience may vary adversely from the actuarial estimates made to determine the Company's loss reserves in general; the Company's ability to obtain and the timing of regulatory approval for requested rate changes; legislation adverse to the automobile insurance industry or business generally that may be enacted in California or other states; the Company's success in managing its business in states outside of California; the Company's ability to successfully complete its initiative to standardize its policies and procedures nationwide in all of its functional areas; the presence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing; changes in driving patterns and loss trends; acts of war and terrorist activities; court decisions and trends in litigation and health care and auto repair costs and marketing efforts; and legal, regulatory and litigation risks. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a more detailed discussion of some of the foregoing risks and uncertainties, see the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures
The Company has presented information within this document containing operating measures which in management's opinion provide investors with useful, industry specific information to help them evaluate, and perform meaningful comparisons of, the Company's performance, but that may not be presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures are not intended to replace, and should be read in conjunction with, the GAAP financial results.
Operating income is net income excluding realized investment gains and losses, net of tax. Net income is the GAAP measure that is most directly comparable to operating income. Operating income is used by management along with the other components of net income to assess the Company's performance. Management uses operating income as an important measure to evaluate the results of the Company's insurance business. Management believes that operating income provides investors with a valuable measure of the Company's ongoing performance as it reveals trends in the Company's insurance business that may be obscured by the net effect of realized capital gains and losses. Realized capital gains and losses may vary significantly between periods and are generally driven by external economic developments such as capital market conditions. Accordingly, operating income highlights the results from ongoing operations and the underlying profitability of the Company's core insurance business. Operating income, which is provided as supplemental information and should not be considered as a substitute for net income, does not reflect the overall profitability of our business. It should be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial results. The Company has reconciled operating income with the most directly comparable GAAP measure in the table below.
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Per diluted
Total share
----- ------------
2010 2009 2010 2009
---- ---- ---- ----
(000's except per-share amounts)
Operating income $35,830 $47,336 $0.65 $0.86
Net realized investment (losses)
gains, net of tax (18,013) 67,111 (0.33) 1.21
------- ------
Net income $17,817 $114,447 $0.32 $2.07
======= ======== ===== =====
Six Months Ended
June 30,
Per diluted
Total share
----- ------------
2010 2009 2010 2009
---- ---- ---- ----
(000's except per-share amounts)
Operating income $82,681 $93,335 $1.51 $1.69
Net realized investment (losses)
gains, net of tax (3,685) 117,765 (0.07) 2.14
------ -------
Net income $78,996 $211,100 $1.44 $3.83
======= ======== ===== =====
Net premiums written represents the premiums charged on policies issued during a fiscal period. Net premiums earned, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, represents the portion of premiums written that have been recognized as income in the financial statements for the periods presented as earned on a pro-rata basis over the term of the policies. Net premiums written are meant as supplemental information and are not intended to replace net premiums earned. Such information should be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial results. The Company has reconciled net premiums written with the most directly comparable GAAP measure in the supplemental schedule entitled, "Summary of Operating Results."
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses is the portion of incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, excluding the effects of changes in the loss reserve accounts. Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses is provided as supplemental information and is not intended to replace incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses. It should be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial results. The Company has reconciled paid losses and loss adjustment expenses with the most directly comparable GAAP measure in the supplemental schedule entitled, "Summary of Operating Results."
Combined ratio-accident period basis is computed as the difference between two GAAP operating ratios: the combined ratio and the effect of prior accident periods' loss development. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the combined ratio. The Company believes that this ratio is useful to investors and it is used by management to reveal the trends in the Company's results of operations that may be obscured by development on prior accident periods' loss reserves. Combined ratio-accident period basis is meant as supplemental information and is not intended to replace combined ratio. It should be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial results. The Company has reconciled combined ratio-accident period basis with the most directly comparable GAAP measure in the table below.
Six Months Ended
June 30,
--------
2010 2009
---- ----
Combined ratio-accident period
basis 99.4% 99.4%
Effect of estimated prior periods'
loss development (1.7)% (2.9)%
----- -----
Combined ratio 97.7% 96.5%
==== ====
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY OF OPERATING RESULTS
(000's except per-share amounts and ratios)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,
2010 2009
---- ----
Net premiums written $631,113 $637,405
Revenues:
Net premium earned $642,717 $659,211
Net investment income 36,475 36,212
Net realized investment (losses) gains (27,713) 99,862
Other 2,180 694
Total revenues $653,659 $795,979
-------- --------
Expenses:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses 439,609 445,463
Policy acquisition costs 126,325 136,359
Other operating expenses 70,516 51,364
Interest 1,851 1,879
Total expenses $638,301 $635,065
-------- --------
Income before income taxes $15,358 $160,914
Income tax (benefit) expense (2,459) 46,467
Net income $17,817 $114,447
======= ========
Basic average shares outstanding 54,788 54,770
Diluted average shares outstanding 54,833 55,320
Basic Per Share Data
--------------------
Net income $0.33 $2.09
===== =====
Net realized investment (losses) gains, net of tax $(0.33) $1.23
====== =====
Diluted Per Share Data
----------------------
Net income $0.32 $2.07
===== =====
Net realized investment (losses) gains, net of tax $(0.33) $1.21
====== =====
Operating Ratios-GAAP Basis
---------------------------
Loss ratio 68.4% 67.6%
Expense ratio 30.6% 28.5%
---- ----
Combined ratio 99.0% 96.1%
==== ====
Reconciliations of Operating Measures to
Comparable GAAP Measures
----------------------------------------
Net premiums written $631,113 $637,405
Change in unearned premiums 11,604 21,806
------ ------
Net premiums earned $642,717 $659,211
======== ========
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses $462,581 $467,333
Decrease in net loss and loss adjustment expense
reserves (22,972) (21,870)
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses $439,609 $445,463
======== ========
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2010 2009
---- ----
Net premiums written $1,283,575 $1,308,297
Revenues:
Net premium earned $1,283,331 $1,325,274
Net investment income 72,361 74,126
Net realized investment (losses) gains (5,669) 181,176
Other 3,473 2,361
Total revenues $1,353,496 $1,582,937
---------- ----------
Expenses:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses 870,231 889,755
Policy acquisition costs 255,307 283,890
Other operating expenses 127,840 104,850
Interest 3,470 3,425
Total expenses $1,256,848 $1,281,920
---------- ----------
Income before income taxes $96,648 $301,017
Income tax (benefit) expense 17,652 89,917
Net income $78,996 $211,100
======= ========
Basic average shares outstanding 54,786 54,769
Diluted average shares outstanding 54,821 55,166
Basic Per Share Data
--------------------
Net income $1.44 $3.85
===== =====
Net realized investment (losses) gains, net of tax $(0.07) $2.15
====== =====
Diluted Per Share Data
----------------------
Net income $1.44 $3.83
===== =====
Net realized investment (losses) gains, net of tax $(0.07) $2.14
====== =====
Operating Ratios-GAAP Basis
---------------------------
Loss ratio 67.8% 67.2%
Expense ratio 29.9% 29.3%
---- ----
Combined ratio 97.7% 96.5%
==== ====
Reconciliations of Operating Measures to
Comparable GAAP Measures
----------------------------------------
Net premiums written $1,283,575 $1,308,297
Change in unearned premiums (244) 16,977
---- ------
Net premiums earned $1,283,331 $1,325,274
========== ==========
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses $923,717 $952,799
Decrease in net loss and loss adjustment expense
reserves (53,486) (63,044)
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses $870,231 $889,755
======== ========
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS AND OTHER INFORMATION
(000's except per-share amounts and ratios)
(unaudited)
June 30, December 31,
2010 2009
--------- -------------
ASSETS
------
Investments, at fair value:
Fixed maturities trading (amortized
cost $2,639,612; $2,673,079) $2,698,711 $2,704,561
Equity securities trading (cost
$339,978; $308,941) 278,653 286,131
Short-term investments (cost
$104,400; $156,126) 103,740 156,165
------- -------
Total investments 3,081,104 3,146,857
Cash 219,466 185,505
Receivables:
Premiums receivable 271,866 262,278
Premium notes 8,046 14,510
Accrued investment income 37,294 37,405
Other 11,059 13,689
------ ------
Total receivables 328,265 327,882
Deferred policy acquisition costs 173,894 175,866
Fixed assets, net 200,999 201,862
Current income taxes 5,464 27,268
Deferred income taxes 43,772 36,139
Goodwill 42,850 42,850
Other intangible assets, net 63,418 66,823
Other assets 22,638 21,581
------ ------
Total assets $4,181,870 $4,232,633
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------
Losses and loss adjustment expenses $999,777 $1,053,334
Unearned premiums 844,853 844,540
Notes payable 269,964 271,397
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 128,757 114,469
Other liabilities 152,515 177,947
Shareholders' equity 1,786,004 1,770,946
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity $4,181,870 $4,232,633
========== ==========
OTHER INFORMATION
-----------------
Common stock-shares outstanding 54,793 54,777
Book value per share $32.60 $32.33
Estimated statutory surplus $1.5 billion $1.5 billion
Estimated premiums written to surplus
ratio 1.7 1.7
Debt to total capital ratio 13.1% 13.3%
Portfolio duration 4.3 years 5.1 years
Policies-in-Force (Company-wide
"PIF")
Personal Auto PIF 1,278 1,279
Homeowners PIF 345 328
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: jwalters@mercuryinsurance.com
SOURCE: Mercury General Corporation
CONTACT: Theodore Stalick, VP/CFO of Mercury General Corporation,
+1-323-937-1060
Web Site: http://www.mercuryinsurance.com/
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/554587.html
