EX-99.1 2 d882235dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

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LOGO

 

    Contact:   

Michael Grasher, EVP & CFO

AMERISAFE, Inc.

337-463-9052

 

 

AMERISAFE ANNOUNCES 2014 FOURTH QUARTER

AND YEAR-END RESULTS

2014 NET INCOME RISES 23.0%

INCREASES REGULAR DIVIDEND 25.0%

DeRidder, LA – February 26, 2015 - AMERISAFE, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMSF), a specialty provider of hazardous workers’ compensation insurance, today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014.

 

     Three Months Ended           Twelve Months Ended        
     December 31,           December 31,        
     2014     2013     % Change     2014     2013     % Change  
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Net premiums earned

   $ 97,070      $ 86,695        12.0   $ 375,747      $ 329,983        13.9

Net investment income

   $ 7,166      $ 6,763        6.0   $ 27,214      $ 27,029        0.7

Net realized gains (losses) on investments (pre-tax)

   $ 516      $ 710        NM      $ 697      $ (1,211     NM   

Net income

   $ 16,865      $ 17,443        -3.3   $ 53,666      $ 43,637        23.0

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.89      $ 0.92        -3.3   $ 2.84      $ 2.32        22.4

Operating net income

   $ 16,530      $ 16,982        -2.7   $ 53,213      $ 44,424        19.8

Operating earnings per share

   $ 0.87      $ 0.90        -3.3   $ 2.81      $ 2.37        18.6

Book value per share

   $ 23.65      $ 22.41        5.5   $ 23.65      $ 22.41        5.5

Net combined ratio

     83.4     80.0       87.9     90.0  

Return on average equity

     15.1     17.1       12.4     10.9  

Allen Bradley, AMERISAFE’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The workers’ compensation industry is poised to record an underwriting profit for only the third time in 25 years. This outcome results from more disciplined underwriting and risk selection. Pricing in our markets is flattening but near cycle peaks. Despite pockets of increased competition, the high hazard market remains attractive in terms of pricing, favorable loss trends and improved economic conditions.”


Insurance Results

 

     Three Months Ended           Twelve Months Ended        
     December 31,           December 31,        
     2014     2013     % Change     2014     2013     % Change  
     (in thousands)  

Gross premiums written

   $ 90,334      $ 91,102        -0.8   $ 393,819      $ 372,177        5.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net premiums earned

$ 97,070    $ 86,695      12.0 $ 375,747    $ 329,983      13.9

Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred

  59,346      59,113      0.4   244,916      228,973      7.0

Underwriting and certain other operating costs, commissions, salaries and benefits

  21,553      10,104      113.3   84,963      67,116      26.6

Policyholder dividends

  51      62      -17.7   391      1,042      -62.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Underwriting profit (pre-tax)

$ 16,120    $ 17,416      -7.4 $ 45,477    $ 32,852      38.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Insurance Ratios:

Current accident year loss ratio

  71.5   73.2   71.5   73.2

Prior accident year loss ratio

  -10.3   -5.0   -6.3   -3.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net loss ratio

  61.1   68.2   65.2   69.4

Net underwriting expense ratio

  22.2   11.7   22.6   20.3

Net dividend ratio

  0.1   0.1   0.1   0.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net combined ratio

  83.4   80.0   87.9   90.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

    Voluntary premiums written declined 2.8% in the quarter but rose 4.7% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2013. Payroll audits and related premium adjustments for policies written in previous periods increased premiums $4.5 million in the fourth quarter and $16.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2014. In 2013, these premium adjustments increased premium $3.2 million in the fourth quarter and $13.6 million for the full year.

 

    The current accident year loss ratio for the fourth quarter was 71.5%. During the quarter the Company experienced $10.0 million of favorable prior year development, primarily attributable to accident years 2010 and 2012. In total, prior accident year development for year ended December 31, 2014 resulted in favorable development of $23.7 million, compared to favorable development of $12.6 million in 2013.


    During the fourth quarter of 2014, the underwriting expense ratio increased to 22.2% from 11.7%. The increase reflects a year over year rise in non-controllable expenses due to the reversal of a contingent profit commission accrual in 2014 of $2.8M, lower ceding commissions of $0.5M in 2014 and fourth quarter 2013 accrual adjustments of $3.2M resulting from bad debt expense and retaliatory tax accruals. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the underwriting expense ratio increased 230bps from the prior year to 22.6%. Growth in premium earned helped to offset operating expenses which grew due to the change in our 2014 reinsurance treaty, which yielded lower profit and ceding commissions.

 

    The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 rose to 27.2% compared to 26.3% in the same period in 2013. The increase resulted from continued improvement in our underwriting margins which created a higher proportion of underwriting income to tax-exempt investment income relative to 2013.

Janelle Frost, President and Chief Operating Officer, noted, “This year’s outstanding results were driven by disciplined underwriting and favorable loss development. We continued our focus on managing pricing in an increasingly competitive market. At the same time, prior accident year case development resulted in another positive quarter in terms of loss experience. Prior year losses combined with continued favorable trends and expense management were evident in the quarter and full year operating results.”


Investment Results

 

     Three Months Ended           Twelve Months Ended        
     December 31,           December 31,        
     2014     2013     % Change     2014     2013     % Change  
     (in thousands)  

Net investment income

   $ 7,166      $ 6,763        6.0   $ 27,214      $ 27,029        0.7

Net realized gains (losses) on investments (pre-tax)

   $ 516      $ 710        NM      $ 697      $ (1,211     NM   

Pre-tax investment yield

     2.6     2.7       2.6     2.8  

Tax-equivalent yield (1)

     3.5     3.9       3.5     3.9  

 

(1) The tax equivalent yield is calculated using the effective interest rate and a 35% marginal tax rate.

 

    As of December 31, 2014, the carrying value of AMERISAFE’s investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, was $1.1 billion. The fair value of the portfolio was $1.1 billion.

Capital Management

On February 24, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors increased the regular quarterly dividend from $0.12 per share to $0.15 per share, a 25.0% increase, payable on March 27, 2015 to shareholders of record as of March 13, 2015.

During the quarter, no shares were repurchased under the share repurchase plan. Since beginning of this plan, the Company has repurchased a total of 1,258,250 shares for $22.4 million, or an average per share price of $17.78, including commissions.


Non-GAAP Financials

 

     Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended  
     December 31,     December 31,  
     2014     2013     2014     2013  
     (in thousands, except share and per share data)  

Net income

   $ 16,865      $ 17,443      $ 53,666      $ 43,637   

Less: Net realized capital gains (losses)

     516        710        697        (1,211

Tax effect (1)

     (181     (249     (244     424   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating net income (2)

$ 16,530    $ 16,982    $ 53,213    $ 44,424   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average shareholders’ equity (3)

$ 447,726    $ 408,763    $ 431,891    $ 399,018   

Less: Average other comprehensive income (loss)

  2,444      (3,483   (743   (658
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted average shareholders’ equity

$ 445,282    $ 412,246    $ 432,634    $ 399,676   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares

  18,994,995      18,796,566      18,928,504      18,748,809   

Return on average equity (4)

  15.1   17.1   12.4   10.9

Operating return on average equity (2)

  14.8   16.5   12.3   11.1

Diluted earnings per common share

$ 0.89    $ 0.92    $ 2.84    $ 2.32   

Operating earnings per common share (2)

$ 0.87    $ 0.90    $ 2.81    $ 2.37   

 

(1) The tax effect of net realized capital gains is calculated assuming an annual tax rate of 35%.
(2) Operating net income, operating return on average adjusted equity and operating earnings per share are each non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that investor’s understanding of core operating performance is enhanced by AMERISAFE’s disclosure of these financial measures.
(3) Average shareholders’ equity is calculated by taking the average of the beginning and ending shareholders’ equity.
(4) Return on average equity is calculated by dividing the annualized net income by the average shareholders’ equity.

Conference Call Information

AMERISAFE has scheduled a conference call for February 27, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, to discuss the fourth quarter results and the outlook for future periods. To participate in the conference call dial 877-225-7695 (International 720-545-0027) at least 10 minutes before the call begins and ask for the AMERISAFE conference call. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the live broadcast ends and will be accessible through March 5, 2015. To access the replay, dial 855-859-2056 or 404-537-3406 and use the pass code 62929175.


Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call over the Internet by visiting http://www.amerisafe.com. To listen to the live call on the web, please visit the website at least fifteen minutes before the call begins to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, an archive will be available shortly after the call and will remain available for approximately 60 days at http://www.amerisafe.com.

About AMERISAFE

AMERISAFE, Inc. is a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking and agriculture. AMERISAFE actively markets workers’ compensation insurance in 30 states and the District of Columbia.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements accompanied by words such as “will,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” or similar words are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding AMERISAFE’s plans and performance. These statements are based on management’s estimates and assumptions as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance and include statements regarding management’s views and expectations of the workers’ compensation market, the Company’s growth opportunities, underwriting margins and actions by competitors. Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in these statements as the results of risks, uncertainties and other factors including the factors set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including AMERISAFE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. AMERISAFE cautions you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. AMERISAFE does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

- Tables to follow -


AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended  
     December 31,     December 31,  
     2014     2013     2014     2013  
     (unaudited)           (unaudited)        

Revenues:

        

Gross premiums written

   $ 90,334      $ 91,102      $ 393,819      $ 372,177   

Ceded premiums written

     (3,138     (4,849     (13,793     (18,425
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

$ 87,196    $ 86,253    $ 380,026    $ 353,752   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

$ 97,070    $ 86,695    $ 375,747    $ 329,983   

Net investment income

  7,166      6,763      27,214      27,029   

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

  516      710      697      (1,211

Fee and other income

  134      141      361      534   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

$ 104,886    $ 94,309    $ 404,019    $ 356,335   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred

$ 59,346    $ 59,113    $ 244,916    $ 228,973   

Underwriting and other operating costs

  21,553      10,104      84,963      67,116   

Policyholder dividends

  51      62      391      1,042   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

$ 80,950    $ 69,279    $ 330,270    $ 297,131   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before taxes

$ 23,936    $ 25,030    $ 73,749    $ 59,204   

Income tax expense

  7,071      7,587      20,083      15,567   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 16,865    $ 17,443    $ 53,666    $ 43,637   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income (cont.)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended      Twelve Months Ended  
     December 31,      December 31,  
     2014      2013      2014      2013  
     (unaudited)             (unaudited)         

Basic EPS:

           

Net income

   $ 16,865       $ 17,443       $ 53,666       $ 43,637   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic weighted average common shares

  18,773,461      18,459,486      18,646,128      18,373,033   

Basic earnings per share

$ 0.90    $ 0.94    $ 2.88    $ 2.37   

Diluted EPS:

Net income

$ 16,865    $ 17,364    $ 53,666    $ 43,495   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares:

Weighted average common shares

  18,773,461      18,459,486      18,646,128      18,373,033   

Stock options and performance shares

  221,534      337,080      282,376      375,776   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares

  18,994,995      18,796,566      18,928,504      18,748,809   

Diluted earnings per common share

$ 0.89    $ 0.92    $ 2.84    $ 2.32   

 


AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

     December 31,      December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (unaudited)         

Assets

     

Investments

   $ 1,016,333       $ 878,775   

Cash and cash equivalents

     90,956         123,077   

Amounts recoverable from reinsurers

     85,888         75,326   

Premiums receivable, net

     178,917         171,579   

Deferred income taxes

     31,231         33,645   

Deferred policy acquisition costs

     19,649         19,171   

Other assets

     34,246         27,428   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 1,457,220    $ 1,329,001   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Liabilities:

Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses

$ 687,602    $ 614,557   

Unearned premiums

  168,576      164,296   

Insurance-related assessments

  29,315      25,428   

Other liabilities

  124,759      107,906   

Shareholders’ equity

  446,968      416,814   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$ 1,457,220    $ 1,329,001   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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