Heritage Reports First Quarter 2019 Results

CLEARWATER, Fla., May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HRTG) (“Heritage” or the “Company”), a property and casualty insurance holding company, today reported first quarter 2019 financial results.

Heritage Insurance (PRNewsFoto/Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc)

First Quarter 2019 Highlights

  • Net income was $7.0 million, or $0.24 per diluted share. Investment gains contributed approximately $0.8 million* to net income, or $0.03 per diluted share.
  • Gross premiums written were $210.3 million, up 2.9% year-over-year, including 6.6% growth outside Florida and 0.1% growth in Florida.
  • Began writing personal residential business in Virginia and launched commercial residential product in New Jersey. Heritage is now actively writing personal residential business in twelve states (licensed in fifteen).
  • Favorable prior year reserve development of $0.6 million, representing third consecutive quarter of favorable development.
  • Net current accident year catastrophe losses of $15.0 million, including $10.2 million for Brevard County, FL hailstorm.
  • Repurchased 347,740 shares for $5.0 million at a 3% discount to first quarter 2019 book value per share, resulting in total capital returned to shareholders of $6.8 million in the quarter, including $0.06 per share regular quarterly dividend.
  • As previously disclosed, paid down $10.0 million of revolving credit facility debt and repurchased an incremental $5.8 million principal amount of convertible notes ($23.4 million principal amount of convertible notes remain outstanding with third parties), taking the debt-to-capital ratio to 24.1%, down 10.7 points year-over-year and 2.7 points sequentially.

Bruce Lucas, the Company’s Chairman and CEO, said, “In the first quarter, we continued to diversify our footprint outside Florida, with personal residential Tri-County, Florida TIV now representing just 5.2% of consolidated property TIV, a 1.2-point year-over-year reduction. We applaud the Florida legislature for passing much-needed reforms, which should help reduce abusive practices in the state. The first quarter represents our third consecutive quarter of favorable prior year reserve development, demonstrating that our thorough reserving review in the second quarter of 2018 is bearing fruit. We’re off to a solid start in 2019 – our organic growth turned positive, as we continue to gain traction across our fifteen-state footprint despite our exposure reduction actions in southeast Florida, and, our core underwriting operation remained profitable even though we sustained $15.0 million of retained catastrophe losses.”

*Assumes investment gains of $1.0 million were taxed at prevailing statutory rates of applicable jurisdictions.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (amounts in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts):

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

   
   

2019

 

2018

 

Change

 
                 

Total revenues

$

 

118,261

 

$

 

112,026

     

6

%

 

Net Income

$

 

6,964

 

$

 

14,829

     

(53)

%

 

Per Share

$

 

0.24

 

$

 

0.55

     

(57)

%

 
                           

Book value per share

$

 

14.78

 

$

 

15.09

     

(2)

%

 

Return on equity

   

6.5

%

   

15.4

%

   

(9)

pts

 
                           

Underwriting summary

                         

Gross premiums written

$

 

210,348

 

$

 

204,366

     

3

%

 

Gross premiums earned

$

 

228,590

 

$

 

227,163

     

1

%

 

Ceded premiums

$

 

(118,899)

 

$

 

(121,055)

     

(2)

%

 

Net premiums earned

$

 

109,691

 

$

 

106,108

     

3

%

 
                           

Ceded premium ratio

   

52.0

%

   

53.3

%

   

(1)

pts

 
                           

Ratios to Net Premiums Earned:

                         

Loss ratio

   

56.6

%

   

50.0

%

   

7

pts

 

Expense ratio

   

40.7

%

   

32.2

%

   

9

pts

 

Combined ratio

   

97.3

%

   

82.2

%

   

15

pts

 

Ratios

Ceded premium ratio. Our ceded premium ratio represents ceded premiums earned as a percentage of gross premiums earned.

Net loss ratio. Our net loss ratio represents net losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) as a percentage of net premiums earned.

Net expense ratio. Our net expense ratio represents policy acquisition costs (PAC) and general and administrative expenses (G&A) as a percentage of net premiums earned. Ceding commission income is reported as a reduction of policy acquisition costs and G&A expenses.

Net combined ratio. Our net combined ratio represents the sum of net losses and LAE, PAC and G&A expenses as a percentage of net premiums earned. The net combined ratio is the key measure of underwriting performance traditionally used in the property and casualty insurance industry. A net combined ratio under 100% generally reflects profitable underwriting results.

Quarterly Financial Results

First quarter 2019 net income was $7.0 million compared to $14.8 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease primarily reflects a higher net expense ratio stemming from the favorable impact of NBIC-related purchase accounting on the prior year quarter and a higher net loss ratio.

Gross premiums written were $210.3 million in first quarter 2019, up 2.9% from $204.4 million in the prior year quarter. The increase reflects better diversification, as premiums grew 6.6% outside Florida, but only 0.1% in Florida. Premiums-in-force were $930.1 million, up 0.7% year-over-year, including 4.7% growth outside Florida and a 2.4% decline in Florida. Sequentially, premiums-in-force increased 0.7%, including 1.8% growth outside Florida and a 0.3% decline in Florida.

Gross premiums earned were $228.6 million in first quarter 2019, up 0.6% from $227.2 million in the prior year quarter. The increase stems from the same items impacting gross premiums written.

The ceded premium ratio was 52.0% in first quarter 2019, down 1.3 points from 53.3% in the prior year quarter. The decrease is attributable to NBIC-related reinsurance synergies and a decline in NBIC’s gross quota share reinsurance program from 18.8% to 8.0%, partly offset by an increase in NBIC’s net quota share program from 49.5% to 52.0%.

The net loss ratio was 56.6% in first quarter 2019, up 6.6 points from 50.0% in the prior year quarter. The increase relates to higher current accident quarter net losses and LAE, partly offset by better reserve development and a lower ceded premium ratio.

The net expense ratio was 40.7% in first quarter 2019, up 8.5 points from 32.2% in the prior year quarter. The increase primarily stems from the favorable impact of NBIC-related purchase accounting on the prior year quarter and reduced ceding commission income in the current year quarter associated with a reduction to NBIC’s overall quota share reinsurance programs, partly offset by a lower ceded premium ratio.

The net combined ratio was 97.3% in first quarter 2019, up 15.1 points from 82.2% in the prior year quarter. The increase stems from higher net loss and expense ratios, as described above.

Book Value Analysis

Book value per share decreased 2.1% year-over-year to $14.78 at March 31, 2019, reflecting Heritage’s previously disclosed December 2018 refinancing transactions, but increased 2.4% sequentially, reflecting first quarter 2019’s profitability.

 

As Of

 

Book Value Per Share

March 31, 2019

   

December 31, 2018

   

March 31, 2018

 

Numerator:

                     

Common stockholders’ equity

$

435,087

   

$

425,333

   

$

388,893

 

Denominator:

                     

Total Shares Outstanding

 

29,432,217

     

29,477,756

     

25,769,806

 

Book Value Per Common Share

$

14.78

   

$

14.43

   

$

15.09

 

Conference Call Details:

Tuesday, March 7, 2019 – 8:30 a.m. EDT
Participant Dial-in Numbers Toll Free: 1-888-346-3095
Participant International Dial In: 1-412-902-4258
Canada Toll Free: 1-855-669-9657

Webcast:

To listen to the live webcast, please go to http://investors.heritagepci.com/. This webcast will be archived and accessible on the Company’s website.

 

HERITAGE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)

(unaudited)

 
   

March 31, 2019

 

December 31, 2018

ASSETS

             

Fixed maturities, at fair value

   

527,940

   

$

509,649

 

Equity securities, at fair value

   

17,375

     

16,456

 

Other investments

   

21,693

     

 

Total investments

   

567,008

     

526,105

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   

279,720

     

250,117

 

Restricted cash

   

12,257

     

12,253

 

Accrued investment income

   

4,618

     

4,468

 

Premiums receivable, net

   

55,096

     

57,000

 

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid claims

   

263,266

     

317,930

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

   

161,015

     

233,071

 

Income taxes receivable

   

365

     

35,586

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs, net

   

69,883

     

73,055

 

Property and equipment, net

   

21,317

     

17,998

 

Intangibles, net

   

74,757

     

76,850

 

Goodwill

   

152,459

     

152,459

 

Other assets

   

15,232

     

11,821

 

Total Assets

 

$

1,676,993

   

$

1,768,713

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

$

404,484

   

$

432,359

 

Unearned premiums

   

454,225

     

472,357

 

Reinsurance payable

   

114,263

     

166,975

 

Long-term debt, net

   

132,176

     

148,794

 

Deferred income tax

   

5,967

     

7,705

 

Advance premiums

   

27,892

     

20,000

 

Accrued compensation

   

7,752

     

9,226

 

Accounts payable and other liabilities

   

95,147

     

85,964

 

Total Liabilities

 

$

1,241,906

   

$

1,343,380

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

               

Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 30,013,018 shares
issued and 29,432,217 outstanding at March 31, 2019 and 30,083,559 shares issued
and 29,477,756 outstanding at December 31, 2018

   

3

     

3

 

Additional paid-in capital

   

328,937

     

325,292

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   

(564)

     

(6,527)

 

Treasury stock, at cost, 7,562,537 shares at March 31, 2019 and 7,214,797 shares at
December 31, 2018

   

(94,196)

     

(89,185)

 

Retained earnings

   

200,907

     

195,750

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

   

435,087

     

425,333

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

1,676,993

   

$

1,768,713

 

 

 

HERITAGE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income

(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 
   

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2019

 

2018

REVENUES:

               

Gross premiums written

 

$

210,348

   

$

204,366

 

Change in gross unearned premiums

   

18,242

     

22,797

 

Gross premiums earned

   

228,590

     

227,163

 

Ceded premiums

   

(118,899)

     

(121,055)

 

Net premiums earned

   

109,691

     

106,108

 

Net investment income

   

3,672

     

3,302

 

Net realized gains (losses)

   

1,024

     

(227)

 

Other revenue

   

3,874

     

2,843

 

Total revenues

   

118,261

     

112,026

 

EXPENSES:

               

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

   

62,139

     

53,091

 

Policy acquisition costs

   

26,020

     

12,187

 

General and administrative expenses

   

18,604

     

21,931

 

Total expenses

   

106,763

     

87,209

 

Operating income

   

11,498

     

24,817

 

Interest expense, net

   

2,117

     

4,820

 

Other non-operating (income)/loss, net

   

48

     

 

Income before income taxes

   

9,333

     

19,997

 

Provision for income taxes

   

2,369

     

5,168

 

Net income

 

$

6,964

   

$

14,829

 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

               

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments

   

8,036

     

(6,478)

 

Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment losses

   

335

     

227

 

Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive income

   

(2,408)

     

1,823

 

Total comprehensive income

 

$

12,927

   

$

10,401

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

               

Basic

   

29,540,514

     

25,727,553

 

Diluted

   

29,544,563

     

26,732,019

 

Earnings per share

               

Basic

 

$

0.24

   

$

0.58

 

Diluted

 

$

0.24

   

$

0.55

 

 

About Heritage
Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. is a super-regional property and casualty insurance holding company headquartered in Clearwater, Florida. Through its insurance subsidiaries and a large network of experienced agents, the Company writes over $900 million of gross personal and commercial residential premium across its multi-state footprint.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those discussed herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “estimate,” “or “continue” or the other negative variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. This release includes forward-looking statements relating to (i) expected positive financial effects in the first quarter of 2019, expected decline in business in Florida, (iii) anticipated continued improvement in our loss trends, (iv) development of losses from Brevard storm, (v) seasonality of income and expectations that the fourth quarter will be the strongest income quarter, and (vi) expected positive impact of geographic diversification. The risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from those expressed or implied herein include, without limitation: our ability to comply with our obligations under the new credit facilities, including the financial and other covenants contained therein, the success of the Company’s marketing initiatives; inflation and other changes in economic conditions (including changes in interest rates and financial markets); the impact of new federal and state regulations that affect the property and casualty insurance market; the costs of reinsurance and the collectability of reinsurance; assessments charged by various governmental agencies; pricing competition and other initiatives by competitors; our ability to grow our business outside of Florida; our ability to obtain regulatory approval for requested rate changes and new licenses, and the timing thereof; legislative and regulatory developments; the outcome of litigation pending against us, including the terms of any settlements; risks related to the nature of our business; dependence on investment income and the composition of our investment portfolio; the adequacy of our liability for losses and loss adjustment expense; our ability to build and maintain relationships with insurance agents; claims experience; ratings by industry services; catastrophe losses; reliance on key personnel; weather conditions (including the severity and frequency of storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and hail); changes in loss trends; acts of war and terrorist activities; court decisions and trends in litigation; and other matters described from time to time by us in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2019. The Company undertakes no obligations to update, change or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, additional or subsequent developments or otherwise.

Investor Contact:
Arash Soleimani, CFA, CPA
Executive Vice President
727.871.0206
Email:  [email protected]

 

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SOURCE Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc.

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