CHICAGO—Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. ("Atlas" or the "Company") today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016.

Management Comments

Scott D. Wollney, Atlas’ President and CEO, stated, “Our focus on bottom line execution has delivered improvements in our loss and expense ratios over the past several quarters, most recently resulting in a combined ratio of 84.8%. Year over year improvements in operating results helped drive higher net income along with meaningful growth in book value. Anticipating increasingly favorable market conditions, we demonstrated significant price leadership in the second quarter and continue to see positive market trends in both broader commercial auto and our niche segment that are encouraging for a continuation of favorable pricing and profitable growth in the coming year. From the inception of Atlas, we've consistently communicated our team's commitment to a disciplined approach to growth, always prioritizing long-term return on equity through better than average underwriting results. Top line growth will always be less important than maximizing underwriting profit. This quarter is a great example of our commitment.”

Financial and Operational Review

Premium Written: For the three month period ended June 30, 2016, gross premium written was $48.4 million compared to $46.6 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2015, representing a 3.8% increase. The increase was primarily due to growth in the company's limo, livery and paratransit lines of business, partially offset by a reduction in taxi related business. For the three month period ended June 30, 2016, gross premium written from commercial automobile was $47.8 million, representing an increase of 3.5% relative to the three month period ended June 30, 2015.

Geographic Distribution: The Company is licensed in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Atlas actively writes core business in 41 of these states plus the District of Columbia. Compared to the three month period ended June 30, 2015, Atlas experienced growth in core business gross premium written in 26 states for the three month period ended June 30, 2016. In 4 of those 26 states, Atlas experienced quarter over quarter growth of greater than 100% due to a continuing positive response from both new and existing agents to Atlas' value proposition and the current market environment.

Combined Ratio: Atlas' combined ratio improved for the three month period ended June 30, 2016 to 84.8%, compared to 87.0% in the prior year period.

  • Loss Ratio: The loss ratio relating to claims incurred for the three month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was 58.8%. The loss ratio was flat relative to the prior period primarily due to maintaining expected loss ratios on the Company's core line of business. The Company continues to see incremental opportunities to build on decades of experience in the claims area coupled with underwriting opportunities to increase expected margin in subsequent quarters. As previously announced, the Company is also utilizing predictive analytics in the claim area to further leverage on the experience and expertise within its organization. On a year over year basis, the Company expects its loss ratio to trend in a positive direction based on prior year and potential future pricing, underwriting and claims activities. To achieve this, Atlas utilizes data and experience accumulated over its operating subsidiaries’ many years spent focusing on niche target markets to model potential risk and deliver value in terms of claims and other areas of support.
  • Underwriting Expense Ratio: The underwriting expense ratio for the three month period ended June 30, 2016 was 26.0% compared to 28.2% for the three month period ended June 30, 2015. The ratio for the combination of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses, excluding share based compensation expense and expenses related to acquisitions and stock purchase agreements, of 25.0% for the three month period ended June 30, 2016 and compares favorably to the 26.6% for the three month period ended June 30, 2015.

The table below details the comparisons of each component of the Company's combined ratio for the periods indicated (after accounting for the effect of quota share reinsurance):

 
Three Month Periods Ended
June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015
Loss Ratio 58.8   %   58.8   %
Underwriting Expense Ratio:
Acquisition cost ratio 9.5 % 13.3 %
Other underwriting expense ratio 15.5   %   13.3   %

Underwriting expense ratio before expenses related to acquisitions and
stock purchase agreements and stock based compensation expenses

25.0 % 26.6 %

Expenses (recovered) incurred related to acquisitions and stock purchase
agreement ratio

— % 0.6 %
Share based compensation expense ratio 1.0   %   1.0   %
Underwriting expense ratio 26.0   %   28.2   %
Total combined ratio 84.8   %   87.0   %
 

Atlas’ underwriting expense ratio excluding the impact of share based compensation expenses and expenses related to acquisitions and stock purchase agreements was 25.0% for the three month period ended June 30, 2016 and is within the Company's annual target range of 24.5% to 26.5%. While this ratio can vary quarter to quarter, on a full year basis, based on the Company's current expected annual growth rate, underwriting expenses are expected to be on the high end of this range.

As the Company continues the use of quota share reinsurance, and potentially changes the percentage of ceded premiums under its contract, the impact on the individual ratios of acquisition cost and other underwriting expense will vary. On a pro-forma basis, as if there was no quota share reinsurance in place (which demonstrates the improvement the Company achieved in terms of operating efficiency in the past year), the components of the underwriting expense ratio for the second quarter of 2016 as compared to the second quarter of 2015 would have been as follows:

 
Three Month Periods Ended
June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015
Acquisition costs 14.1% 15.8%
Other insurance general and administrative expenses 12.8% 12.2%

Expenses (recovered) incurred related to acquisitions and stock
purchase agreements

—% 0.5%
Share based compensation expense 0.8% 0.9%
 

Underwriting Results: Underwriting profit increased to $6.4 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2016, compared to $5.0 million in the same period of the prior year, representing a 28.1% increase.

Net Income before Taxes: Net income before taxes increased to $7.5 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2016, compared to $6.2 million in the same period of the prior year, representing a 21.7% increase.

Income Taxes: Atlas recognized tax expense of $2.6 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2016 compared to tax expense of $2.2 million in the same period of the prior year.

Net Income: Atlas reported net income of $4.9 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2016, compared to $3.9 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2015.

Earnings per share (“EPS”): Atlas generated $0.38 per common share diluted for the three month period ended June 30, 2016. This compares to $0.31 per common share diluted as reported for the three month period ended June 30, 2015.

Share Count: The following chart illustrates Atlas’ potential dilutive common shares for the three month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:

 
Three Month Periods Ended
June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015  
Weighted average common shares outstanding 12,045,519   12,008,624
Dilutive potential ordinary shares:
Dilutive stock options 179,835 218,852
Dilutive shares upon preferred share conversion 522,397     573,444  
Dilutive average common shares outstanding 12,747,751     12,800,920  
 

Balance Sheet/Investment Overview

Book Value: Book value per common share was $11.27 based on 12,045,519 common shares outstanding at June 30, 2016, compared to $10.15 based on 12,045,519 common shares outstanding at December 31, 2015. Book value per common share of $11.27 increased by $1.12 relative to December 31, 2015 as follows:

$0.75 increase related to net income after tax and before items indicated below;

$0.02 increase related to the change in net realized investment gains after tax;

($0.01) decrease related to the preferred share dividend liquidation;

$0.26 increase related to the change in unrealized gains/losses after tax;

$0.07 increase related to share based compensation; and

$0.03 increase related to expenses incurred with the acquisition of subsidiaries.

$1.12 total increase from December 31, 2015 book value per common share

Cash and Invested Assets: Cash and invested assets at June 30, 2016 totaled $240.3 million as compared to $233.3 million as at December 31, 2015. Invested assets increased by $7.0 million, of which $4.8 million was due to increases in market values and $2.2 million was due to net purchases and sales of securities.

Investment Strategy: Atlas aligns its securities portfolio to support the liabilities and operating cash needs of its insurance subsidiaries, to preserve capital and to generate investment returns. Atlas invests predominantly in fixed income securities with overall maturities that correlate with the payout patterns of Atlas' claims liabilities and other liquidity needs. At June 30, 2016, the average life on the Company's portfolio was 3.9 years with a duration of 3.2 years. The Company's investment allocations will be regularly reviewed based on market conditions with a continued emphasis on capital preservation to support growth in its operating business.

Investment Income / Yield: Atlas generated net investment income of $1.1 million and $1.2 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, as well as $155,000 and $44,000 of realized gains, respectively. The gross annualized investment yield on the Company's fixed-income securities was 2.0% for each of the quarters ended June 30, 2016 and 2015. The gross annualized investment yield on the Company's cash and cash equivalents was 0.1% for each of the quarters ended June 30, 2016 and 2015. The decrease in net investment from the prior year period is the result of lower returns on equity method securities and higher investment expenses, partially offset by higher interest income. Net realized investment gains increased as a result of management's decision to sell certain securities to take advantage of favorable market conditions.

Outlook for 2016

Mr. Wollney continued, “Favorable pricing trends and overall market expansion are serving as a catalyst for future growth. To capitalize on the changes occurring in our customers’ market, Atlas continues to focus on growing segments within our traditional niche market as well as ensuring that we are well positioned with respect to new potential horizontal markets that we may pursue over time. We remain on track to achieve our previously announced premium projections with a continuing commitment to always prioritize underwriting profit over top line growth, and have maintained our focus on achieving return-on-equity well in excess of the P&C industry through the cycle. We reported an annualized after tax ROE of 14.0% in the second quarter of 2016, and believe this will increase provided market conditions remain consistent or potentially even improve. We have invested in the appropriate infrastructure to support expected continued growth and feel that Atlas is in an excellent position to take advantage as a hyper-focused commercial auto specialist."

Conference Call Details

   
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 2, 2016 - 8:30 a.m. ET
Participant Dial-In Numbers:
(United States): 877-423-9817
(International): 201-493-6770
 

To access the call, please dial-in approximately five minutes before the start time and, when asked, provide the operator with passcode "Atlas".

An accompanying slide presentation will be available in .pdf format on the investor relations page of the Company’s website after issuance of the earnings release.

Webcast

The call will also be simultaneously webcast over the Internet via the “Investor Relations” section of Atlas’ website at www.atlas-fin.com/investorrelations or by clicking on the conference call link: http://atlas-fin.equisolvewebcast.com/q2-2016. Audio and a transcript of the call will be archived on the Company’s website.

About Atlas

The primary business of Atlas is commercial automobile insurance in the United States, with a niche market orientation and focus on insurance for the "light" commercial automobile sector including taxi cabs, non-emergency paratransit, limousine/livery and business auto. The business of Atlas is carried on through its subsidiaries American Country Insurance Company, American Service Insurance Company, Inc., Gateway Insurance Company, Global Liberty Insurance Company of New York, Anchor Group Management, Inc., Plainview Premium Finance Company, Inc., and Plainview Premium Finance Company of California, Inc. Atlas' insurance subsidiaries have decades of experience with a commitment to always being an industry leader in these specialized areas of insurance.

For more information about Atlas, please visit www.atlas-fin.com.

Financial Information

Atlas' financial statements reflect consolidated results of Atlas' subsidiaries: American Insurance Acquisition Inc., American Country Insurance Company, American Service Insurance Company, Inc., Gateway Insurance Company, Global Liberty Insurance Company of New York, Anchor Holdings Group, Inc., Anchor Group Management, Inc., Plainview Premium Finance Company, Inc., and Plainview Premium Finance Company of California, Inc. Additional information about Atlas, including a copy of Atlas' 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K financial statements and Management Discussion & Analysis, can be accessed via the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission internet site at www.sec.gov, on the Canadian Securities Administrators' website at www.sedar.com, or through Atlas' website at http://www.atlas-fin.com/InvestorRelations/FinancialReports.aspx.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Atlas and its insurance subsidiaries and businesses. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of each entity. The words "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "may", "should", "estimate", "project", "outlook", "forecast" or similar words are used to identify such forward looking information. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Companies, including risks regarding the insurance industry, economic factors and the equity markets generally and the risk factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Atlas and its subsidiaries undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

ATLAS FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
(in '000s of US dollars, except for share and per share data)
 
  Three Month Periods Ended   Six Month Periods Ended

June 30, 2016
(unaudited)

  

June 30, 2015
(unaudited)

  

June 30, 2016
(unaudited)

  

June 30, 2015
(unaudited)
Net premiums earned $ 41,802   $ 38,304   $ 83,555   $ 68,471
Net investment income 1,112 1,191 1,765 1,711
Net realized investment gains 155 44 394 181
Other income 127     125     229     157  
Total revenue 43,196 39,664 85,943 70,520
Net claims incurred 24,574 22,529 49,514 39,461
Acquisition costs 3,970 5,077 8,023 8,995
Other underwriting expenses 6,783 5,490 13,354 10,035
Amortization of intangible assets 98 — 195 —
Interest expense 266 172 499 181

Expenses (recovered) incurred pursuant to Gateway
stock purchase agreement

— — (402 ) 942
Expenses incurred related to acquisition of subsidiaries —     228     —     978  
Total expenses 35,691     33,496     71,183     60,592  
Income from operations before income tax expense 7,505 6,168 14,760 9,928
Income tax expense 2,605     2,232     5,049     3,855  
Net income 4,900 3,936 9,711 6,073
Less: Preferred share dividends 78     80     161     115  
Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 4,822     $ 3,856     $ 9,550     $ 5,958  
 
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 12,045,519 12,008,624 12,045,519 11,930,172
Earnings per common share, basic $ 0.40 $ 0.32 $ 0.79 $ 0.50
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 12,747,751 12,800,920 12,749,083 12,714,450
Earnings per common share, diluted $ 0.38 $ 0.31 $ 0.76 $ 0.48
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive
Income
 
Net income $ 4,900 $ 3,936 $ 9,711 $ 6,073
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses) 1,756 (1,980 ) 4,661 (390 )

Reclassification to income of net realized investment
gains

288 189 248 195
Effect of income tax (715 )   609     (1,718 )   66  
Other comprehensive income (loss) 1,329     (1,182 )   3,191     (129 )
Total comprehensive income $ 6,229     $ 2,754     $ 12,902     $ 5,944  
 
 
ATLAS FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
 
(in '000s of US dollars, except for share and per share data)
 
 

June 30, 2016
(unaudited)

  

December 31,
2015

Assets

  
Investments, available for sale
Fixed income securities, at fair value (amortized cost $181,392 and $185,455) $ 184,572 $ 183,773
Equity securities, at fair value (cost $6,147 and $4,147) 6,287 4,240
Other investments 27,040     22,937  
Total Investments 217,899 210,950
Cash and cash equivalents 22,438 22,354
Accrued investment income 918 1,036
Premiums receivable (net of allowance of $923 and $846) 77,483 82,529
Reinsurance recoverables on amounts paid 7,614 3,277
Reinsurance recoverables on amounts unpaid 25,691 29,399
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 19,873 17,412
Deferred policy acquisition costs 10,657 10,235
Deferred tax asset, net 14,087 17,166
Goodwill 2,726 2,726
Intangible assets, net 4,730

 

4,925
Internal use software and office equipment, net 2,362 2,589
Other assets 6,580     6,694  
Total Assets $ 413,058     $ 411,292  
 

Liabilities
Claims liabilities $ 112,457 $ 127,011
Unearned premiums 112,437 108,202
Due to reinsurers and other insurers 10,928 10,781
Note payable, net 17,653 17,219
Other liabilities and accrued expenses 16,625     18,457  
Total Liabilities $ 270,100     $ 281,670  
 

Shareholders’ Equity

Preferred shares, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued and
outstanding: June 30, 2016 - 6,538,560 and December 31, 2015 - 6,940,500. Liquidation
value $1.00 per share

$ 6,539 $ 6,941

Ordinary voting common shares, $0.003 par value, 266,666,667 shares authorized, shares
issued and outstanding: June 30, 2016 - 11,895,104 and December 31, 2015 - 11,883,025

36 36

Restricted voting common shares, $0.003 par value, 33,333,334 shares authorized, shares
issued and outstanding: June 30, 2016 - 128,191 and December 31, 2015 - 132,863

— —
Additional paid-in capital 198,877 198,041
Retained deficit (64,653 ) (74,364 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 2,159     (1,032 )
Total Shareholders’ Equity 142,958     129,622  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $ 413,058     $ 411,292  
 

Use of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measurements

We use these non-GAAP financial measures in order to present our financial condition and results of operations in the way we believe will be most meaningful and representative of our business results. The non-GAAP financial measures that we present may not be comparable to similarly-named measures reported by other companies.

Adjusted operating income, before tax includes both underwriting income and loss and net investment income, but excludes net realized capital gains and losses, legal and professional expense incurred related to business combinations, interest expense, net impairment charges recognized in earnings and other items. Underwriting income is derived by reducing net premiums earned by losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred, policy acquisition costs and general operating expenses.

 
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Net Income to Adjusted Operating Income, Before Tax (in '000s, except per share data)
 
  Three Month Periods Ended   Six Month Periods Ended
June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015
Net income $ 4,900   $ 0.38   $ 3,936   $ 0.31   $ 9,711 $ 0.76   $ 6,073   $ 0.48
Add: income tax expense 2,605 0.21 2,232 0.17 5,049 0.40 3,855 0.31

Add: expenses incurred related to
acquisition of subsidiaries

— — 228 0.02 — — 978 0.08

Add: expenses (recovered) incurred
pursuant to Gateway stock purchase
agreement

— — — — (402 ) (0.03 ) 942 0.07
Add: interest expense 266 0.02 172 0.01 499 0.04 181 0.01
Less: net realized investment gains 155 0.01 44 — 394 0.03 181 0.01
Less: other income 127   0.01     125   0.01     229   0.02     157   0.02
Adjusted operating income, before tax $ 7,489   $ 0.59     $ 6,399   $ 0.50     $ 14,234   $ 1.12     $ 11,691   $ 0.92
 

After-tax return on average common equity is derived by subtracting preferred share dividends accrued from net income and dividing by average common equity. Common equity is total shareholders' equity less preferred shares and cumulative preferred share dividends accrued. Average common equity is the average of common equity at the beginning and the ending of the reporting period.

 
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Shareholders' Equity to Common Equity (in '000s)
 
As of:  

June 30,
2016

  

March 31,
2016

  

December
31, 2015

  

June 30,
2015

  

March 31,
2015

  

December
31, 2014
Total shareholders' equity $ 142,958   $ 136,341   $ 129,622   $ 121,109   $ 117,963   $ 109,399
Less: preferred shares (6,539 ) (6,539 ) (6,941 ) (6,941 ) (6,941 ) (2,000 )

Less: accrued dividends on preferred
shares

(622 )   (543 )   (460 )   (299 )   (219 )   (184 )
Total common equity $ 135,797     $ 129,259     $ 122,221     $ 113,869     $ 110,803     $ 107,215  
 
 
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Return on Equity to Return on Common Equity (in '000s)
 
 

Three Month Periods
Ended

  

Six Month Periods
Ended

June 30,
2016

  

June 30,
2015

  

June 30,
2016

  

June 30,
2015
Net income $ 4,900   $ 3,936   $ 9,711   $ 6,073
Average equity 139,648 119,536 136,289 115,254
Return on equity 14.0 % 13.2 % 14.2 % 10.5 %
 
Net income $ 4,900 $ 3,936 $ 9,711 $ 6,073
Less: preferred share dividends accrued (78 )   (80 )   (161 )   (115 )
Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 4,822     $ 3,856     $ 9,550     $ 5,958  
Average common equity 132,527 112,337 129,008 110,543
Return on average common equity 14.6 % 13.7 % 14.8 % 10.8 %

Contacts

Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc.
Scott Wollney, CEO
847-700-8600
swollney@atlas-fin.com
www.atlas-fin.com
or
Investor Relations
The Equity Group Inc.
Adam Prior, Senior Vice President
212-836-9606
aprior@equityny.com
www.theequitygroup.com