Infinity Property and Casualty Reports 16% Growth in Earnings and 13% Growth in Book Value
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 27, 2005 -- Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation , a national provider of personal automobile insurance with an emphasis on nonstandard auto insurance, today reported for the third quarter of 2005:
Three Months Ended Sept. 30, Nine Months Ended Sept. 30,
(in millions,except
per share amounts
and ratios) 2005 2004 % Change 2005 2004 % Change
Gross written
premiums $230.0 $232.0 (0.9%) $767.2 $707.2 8.5%
Revenues $262.8 $240.5 9.3% $797.0 $709.1 12.4%
Net earnings $26.7 $23.0 16.2% $74.4 $64.7 14.9%
Net earnings per
diluted share $1.28 $1.10 16.4% $3.56 $3.10 14.8%
Operating
earnings(1) $18.6 $21.1 (12.0%) $52.9 $60.9 (13.1%)
Operating earnings
per diluted
share (1) $0.89 $1.01 (11.9%) $2.53 $2.92 (13.4%)
Underwriting
income (1) $21.2 $22.0 (3.4%) $66.4 $65.5 1.3%
Combined ratio 91.3% 90.0% 1.3 pts 90.8% 89.9% 0.9 pts
Book value per
share $28.54 $25.19 13.3% $28.54 $25.19 13.3%
Return on equity 18.3% 18.4% (0.1) pts 17.4% 17.7% (0.3) pts
Operating income
return on
equity (1) 12.8% 16.9% (4.2) pts 12.4% 16.7% (4.3) pts
Debt to total
capital 25.3% 27.8% (2.5) pts 25.3% 27.8% (2.5) pts
(1) Measures used in this release that are not based on generally
accepted accounting principles ("non-GAAP") are defined at the end of
this release and reconciled to the most comparable GAAP measure.
In Infinity's 17 focus states, personal auto gross written premiums grew 1.2% and 12.2% compared to the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2004. Personal auto policies-in-force in the 17 focus states grew 11.0% compared to September 30, 2004. Personal auto premium growth in California, Infinity's largest state, was 5.2% compared to the third quarter of the prior year. Personal auto policy counts in California were up 4.2% compared to September 30, 2004.
Revenues for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased primarily due to higher earned premiums. Earned premiums increased 10.6% and 11.2% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005. Realized gains from sales of securities of $22.3 million also contributed to revenue growth for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.
Net earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 include a $6.9 million tax benefit from the utilization of net operating loss carry-forwards. Net earnings for the same periods of the prior year include a $2.1 million tax benefit from the utilization of alternative minimum tax credits.
Pre-tax losses from hurricanes Katrina and Rita were a combined $1.3 million and contributed 0.5 points to the net combined ratio in the third quarter of 2005. In comparison, pre-tax losses from the four hurricanes in the third quarter of 2004 were $1.9 million and contributed 0.9 points to the net combined ratio.
2005 Earnings Guidance Infinity is affirming its guidance of $3.20-$3.40 per diluted share. Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements in this press release not dealing with historical results are forward-looking and are based on estimates, assumptions and projections. Statements which include the words "believes," "expects," "may," "should," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "estimates," or the negative version of these words and similar statements of a future or forward looking nature identify forward looking statements. Examples of such forward looking statements include statements relating to Infinity's expectations concerning market conditions, premium growth, earnings, investment performance, expected losses, rate changes and loss experience.
Actual results could differ materially from those expected by Infinity depending on certain risks and uncertainties including but not limited to changes in economic conditions and financial markets (including interest rates), the adequacy or accuracy of Infinity's pricing methodologies, the actions of our competitors, the time to receive approval for the rollout of new programs and requested rate changes, judicial and regulatory developments affecting the automobile insurance industry, the outcome of pending litigation against Infinity, weather conditions (including the severity and frequency of storms, hurricanes, snowfalls, hail and winter conditions) and changes in driving patterns and loss trends. Infinity undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward-looking statements. For more detailed discussion of some of the foregoing risks and uncertainties, see Infinity's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call to discuss 2005 third quarter results at 11:00 a.m. (ET) today, October 27. There are two alternative communication modes available to listen to the call. Telephone access will be available by dialing 1-800-295-4740 and providing the confirmation code 95569473. Please dial 5 to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A replay of the call will also be available one hour following the completion of the call, at around 12:00 p.m. (ET), and will run until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2005. To listen to the replay, dial 1-888-286-8010 and provide the confirmation code 10139904. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet. To listen to the call via the Internet, go to Infinity's website, http://www.ipacc.com/, click on Investor Relations and follow the instructions at the webcast link. The archived webcast will be available on Infinity's website approximately one hour following the completion of the call and will be available for one year.
Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation
Statement of Earnings
(in millions, except EPS)
For the Three Months For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, Ended September 30,
2005 2004 2005 2004
Income:
Earned premiums $243.9 $220.5 $722.7 $649.6
Net investment income 16.2 16.1 48.9 49.2
Realized gains (1) 1.8 2.8 22.3 5.9
Other income (2) 0.9 1.1 3.1 4.4
262.8 240.5 797.0 709.1
Expenses:
Loss and loss adjustment
expenses (3) 168.4 151.6 500.9 449.8
Commissions and other
underwriting expenses 54.3 47.0 155.4 134.4
Interest expense
on debt 2.8 2.9 8.3 8.0
Corporate general and
administrative expenses 1.8 1.5 5.1 4.8
Loss on retirement
of long-term debt - - - 3.4
Other expenses (4) 6.6 6.3 26.1 14.9
233.9 209.3 695.8 615.3
Income before taxes 28.9 31.2 101.1 93.8
Income taxes (5) 2.2 8.3 26.8 29.1
Net earnings $26.7 $23.0 $74.4 $64.7
Net earnings
per share - basic $1.29 $1.12 $3.60 $3.15
Weighted average
shares - basic 20.642 20.567 20.632 20.555
Net earnings
per share - diluted $1.28 $1.10 $3.56 $3.10
Weighted average
shares - diluted 20.889 20.841 20.882 20.855
Note: Columns may not foot due to rounding
Notes:
(1) Realized gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 include
$19.8 million of taxable gains from securities sold to utilize a
portion of the available tax loss carry-forward.
(2) Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 includes a
$1.1 million pre-tax gain from the sale of a building in Dallas,
Texas.
(3) Loss and loss adjustment expenses for the three months and nine
months ended September 30, 2005 includes $2.4 million and $18.9
million, respectively, of favorable development on prior accident
period loss and loss adjustment expense reserves.
Loss and loss adjustment expenses for the three months and nine
months ended September 30, 2004 includes $4.3 million and $6.8
million, respectively, of favorable development on prior accident
period loss and loss adjustment expense reserves.
(4) Other expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 include a
$2.6 million pre-tax loss from subleased space. Other expenses for
the nine months ended September 30, 2005 also increased as a result
of higher than average premium receivables charged off in the second
and third quarters of 2005 from more liberal credit terms in several
states and higher than average corporate litigation expenses in the
first quarter of 2005.
Other expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 include a
$0.7 million pre-tax loss related from subleased space.
(5) Income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005
include a $6.9 million tax benefit from the utilization of net
operating loss carryforwards.
Income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004
include a $2.1 million tax benefit from the utilization of
Alternative Minimum Tax credits originating in years prior to 2003.
Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation
Condensed Balance Sheet
(in millions, except book value per share)
For the Period Ended
September 30, June 30,
2005 2005
Assets:
Investments:
Fixed maturities (1) $1,299.0 $1,180.8
Equity securities 56.0 43.6
Total investments 1,355.0 1,224.5
Cash and cash equivalents (1) 87.9 227.3
Accrued investment income 14.7 15.2
Agents' balances and premiums receivable 295.2 306.9
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 11.0 12.1
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers 22.4 22.7
Deferred policy acquisition costs 76.1 79.2
Current and deferred income taxes (2) 26.5 7.6
Prepaid expenses, deferred charges
and other assets 21.8 27.4
Goodwill 75.3 75.3
Total assets $1,985.9 $1,998.1
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses $640.4 $644.4
Unearned premium 423.0 440.8
Amounts payable to reinsurers 4.5 4.3
Long-term debt 199.4 199.3
Commissions payable 29.6 29.9
Accounts payable, accrued expenses
and other liabilities 100.0 102.8
Total liabilities 1,396.9 1,421.6
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock 20.7 20.7
Additional paid-in capital 331.2 330.8
Treasury Stock (3) (1.1) (0.1)
Retained Earnings (4) 237.3 211.9
Unearned compensation (restricted stock) (0.1) (0.1)
Unrealized gains, net (5) 1.0 13.3
Total shareholders' equity 589.0 576.5
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $1,985.9 $1,998.1
Shares Outstanding 20.641 20.653
Book Value per Share $28.54 $27.91
Note: Columns may not foot due to rounding
Notes:
(1) Cash received from sales of securities in the second quarter was
reinvested in longer term securities during the third quarter
resulting in the decline in cash and short-term investments.
(2) The increase in current and deferred income tax asset is a result of
a reduction in unrealized gains on securities and a reduction in the
valuation allowance relating to capital loss carryforwards.
(3) Infinity repurchased 29,720 shares for an average cost of $33.59 per
share in the third quarter of 2005.
(4) Net income of $26.7 million less shareholder dividends of $1.2
million resulted in the increase in retained earnings from June 2005.
(5) Unrealized gains fell by $12.3 million for the quarter primarily as a
result of a general increase in market interest rates during the
third quarter.
Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial and Operating Measures
Operating earnings are defined as net income, before realized gains and losses and the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, after tax. Infinity reports this non-GAAP measure because realized gains and losses can be volatile and because it is a measure used often by investors in evaluating insurance companies. Net earnings are the most comparable GAAP measure.
Underwriting income measures the insurer's profit on insurance sales after all losses and expenses have been paid. It is calculated by deducting loss and loss adjustment expenses and underwriting expenses from premiums earned. Infinity reports this non-GAAP measure to show profitability before inclusion of investment income or taxes and because it is a measure used often by investors in evaluating insurance companies. Net earnings are the most comparable GAAP measure.
Below is a schedule that reconciles operating earnings and underwriting income, both non-GAAP measures, to net earnings:
For the Three Months For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, Ended September 30,
(in millions, except EPS) 2005 2004 2005 2004
Earned premiums $243.9 $220.5 $722.7 $649.6
Loss and loss adjustment
expenses 168.4 151.6 500.9 449.8
Commissions and other
underwriting expenses 54.3 47.0 155.4 134.4
Underwriting income 21.2 22.0 66.4 65.5
Net investment income 16.2 16.1 48.9 49.2
Other income 0.9 1.1 3.1 4.4
Interest expense on debt (2.8) (2.9) (8.3) (8.0)
Corporate general and
administrative expenses (1.8) (1.5) (5.1) (4.8)
Loss on retirement of
long-term debt - - - (3.4)
Other expenses (6.6) (6.3) (26.1) (14.9)
Pre-tax operating income 27.1 28.4 78.8 88.0
Income tax expense 8.5 7.3 25.9 27.0
Operating earnings,
after-tax 18.6 21.1 52.9 60.9
Realized gains 1.8 2.8 22.3 5.9
Income tax expense
(benefit) 0.6 1.0 7.8 2.0
Utilization of capital
loss carry-forward (6.9) - (6.9) -
Realized gains
(after-tax) 8.1 1.8 21.4 3.8
Net earnings $26.7 $23.0 $74.4 $64.7
Operating earnings
per share - diluted $0.89 $1.01 $2.53 $2.92
Net realized gains 0.06 0.09 0.70 0.18
Utilization of capital
loss carry-forward 0.33 - 0.33 -
Net earnings per
share - diluted $1.28 $1.10 $3.56 $3.10
Note: Columns may not foot due to rounding
Infinity also makes available an investor supplement on our website. To access the supplemental financial information, go to www.ipacc.com and click on "Investor Relations" followed by "Quarterly Reports."