EX-99.4 5 dex994.htm NEWS RELEASE OF MAX RE, DATED AUGUST 2, 2004 News Release of Max Re, dated August 2, 2004

Exhibit 99.4

 

MAX RE CAPITAL LTD. REPORTS SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME OF $0.26 PER DILUTED SHARE:

 

Hamilton, Bermuda, August 2, 2004 - Max Re Capital Ltd. (NASDAQ: MXRE) today reported net income for the three months ended June 30, 2004 of $12.6 million, or net income of $0.26 per diluted share, compared to net income of $30.8 million, or net income of $0.81 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Net operating income before minority interest, which represents net income before minority interest reduced / increased by net realized gains / (losses) on sale of fixed maturities, for the three months ended June 30, 2004 was $15.2 million, or net operating income of $0.32 per diluted share, compared with net operating income before minority interest of $36.0 million, or net operating income of $0.79 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2003. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company had net income of $55.6 million, or net income of $1.13 per diluted share, compared to $45.4 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2003. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company had net operating income before minority interest of $52.4 million, or net operating income of $1.07 per diluted share, compared to $50.7 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Robert J. Cooney, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “For the second quarter Max Re showed continued improvement in its combined ratio, strong premium growth in our traditional insurance business and modest premium growth overall. This allowed us to produce reasonable earnings, despite a difficult investment quarter where our alternative investment portfolio posted an unusually small return.”

 

Gross premiums written for the three months ended June 30, 2004 were $183.7 million, coming principally from property and casualty underwriting, with only $2.2 million of life and annuity premiums, compared to $165.8 million, all from property and casualty underwriting, for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Net premiums earned for the three months ended June 30, 2004 increased 20% to $171.8 million compared to $143.3 million for the same period of 2003. Gross premiums written for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were $623.2 million compared to $596.3 million for the first six months of 2003. Net premiums earned for the first six months of 2004 increased 29% to $370.7 million compared to $287.0 million for the same period in 2003. Alternative risk transfer, traditional reinsurance and traditional insurance products accounted for 42%, 39% and 18%, respectively, of gross premiums written for the first six months of 2004.

 

Net investment income for the three months ended June 30, 2004, increased to $19.7 million, from $15.1 million for the same period in 2003 and is principally attributable to increased holdings of cash and fixed maturities during the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2003. Net investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2003 increased $8.9 million, to $38.5 million, compared to $29.6 million for the same period in 2003. Net gains on alternative investments for the three months ended June 30, 2004 were $1.0 million, or a 0.10% rate of return, compared to net gains on alternative investments of $45.2 million, or a 5.84% rate of return, for the same period of 2003. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, alternative investments have returned 4.17%, compared to 9.12% for the same period in 2003. Invested assets were $2.9 billion as of June 30, 2004, with an allocation of approximately 65.5% to cash and fixed maturities and 34.5% to alternative investments.

 

Losses, benefits and experience refunds were $135.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared to $114.4 million for the same period in 2003. The increase in losses, benefits and experience refunds for the three months ended June 30, 2004 is principally attributable to the increase in premiums earned. There were no significant adjustments to loss, benefit and experience refund reserves during the three months ended June 30, 2004. Losses, benefits and experience refunds for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were $301.7 million compared to $228.8 million for the same period in 2003. The increase for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was also principally attributable to the increase in premiums earned.

 

Acquisition costs for the three months ended June 30, 2004 decreased by 18% to $29.2 million compared to $35.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The reduction is attributable to the change in product mix, with traditional reinsurance and traditional insurance products having lower acquisition costs compared to alternative risk transfer products.

 

Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2004 decreased 99% from the same period in 2003. The decrease is principally attributable to a lower average interest crediting rate on the funds withheld balances with reinsurers during the three months ended June 30, 2004.


General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2004 were $13.9 million compared to $10.8 million for the same period in 2003. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were $24.1 million, or 6.5% of net premiums earned, compared to $19.0 million, or 6.6% of net premiums earned for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Shareholders’ equity was $826.1 million at June 30, 2004. Book value per share at June 30, 2004 was $18.06 per share, compared to $17.82 at December 31, 2003 impacted by the decline in value of fixed maturities during the first six months of 2004. Return on average shareholders’ equity for the trailing 12 month period was 14.2%.

 

Max Re Capital Ltd., through its principal operating subsidiaries, Max Re Ltd., Max Insurance Europe Limited and Max Re Europe Limited, offers customized insurance and reinsurance solutions to property and casualty insurers, life and health insurers and large corporations.

 

The above remarks about future expectations, plans and prospects for the Company are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by such statements. For further information regarding cautionary statements and factors affecting future operating results, please refer to the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

Contact Information:

 

Keith S. Hynes   N. James Tees
Executive Vice President & CFO   Senior Vice President & Treasurer
441-296-8800   441-296-8800
keithh@maxre.bm   jimt@maxre.bm


MAX RE CAPITAL LTD.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars, except per share and share amounts)

 

     June 30, 2004

    December 31, 2003

 
     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 243,294     $ 201,515  

Fixed maturities, available for sale at fair value

     1,682,150       1,604,430  

Alternative investments, at fair value

     1,016,221       831,359  

Accrued interest income

     16,569       14,608  

Premiums receivable

     388,951       389,393  

Losses recoverable from reinsurers

     330,214       273,711  

Funds withheld

     18,070       56  

Deferred acquisition costs

     111,134       87,116  

Deferred charges

     8,827       5,259  

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     87,899       67,343  

Other assets

     27,715       20,769  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 3,931,044     $ 3,495,559  
    


 


LIABILITIES

                

Property and casualty losses and experience refunds

   $ 1,260,923     $ 991,687  

Life and annuity benefits and experience refunds

     464,486       480,099  

Deposit liabilities

     242,505       267,350  

Funds withheld from reinsurers

     258,740       213,483  

Unearned property and casualty premiums

     654,150       471,625  

Reinsurance balances payable

     50,471       74,693  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     23,648       41,392  

Bank loan

     150,000       150,000  
    


 


Total liabilities

     3,104,923       2,690,329  
    


 


SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Preferred shares (par value $1.00) 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding

     —         —    

Common shares (par value $1.00) 200,000,000 shares authorized; 45,737,611 (2003 - 45,184,611) shares issued and outstanding

     45,738       45,185  

Additional paid-in capital

     650,715       637,772  

Loans receivable from common share sales

     (10,965 )     (11,965 )

Unearned stock grant compensation

     (14,000 )     (4,032 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (10,737 )     25,790  

Retained earnings

     165,370       112,480  
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     826,121       805,230  
    


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 3,931,044     $ 3,495,559  
    


 


Book Value Per Share

   $ 18.06     $ 17.82  
    


 



MAX RE CAPITAL LTD.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars, except shares and per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended June 30

    Six Months Ended June 30

 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

REVENUES

                                

Gross premiums written

   $ 183,654     $ 165,767     $ 623,185     $ 596,313  

Reinsurance premiums ceded

     (47,567 )     (39,186 )     (90,353 )     (71,039 )
    


 


 


 


Net premiums written

   $ 136,087     $ 126,581     $ 532,832     $ 525,274  
    


 


 


 


Earned premiums

   $ 206,557     $ 161,377     $ 439,847     $ 319,441  

Earned premiums ceded

     (34,739 )     (18,072 )     (69,130 )     (32,408 )
    


 


 


 


Net premiums earned

     171,818       143,305       370,717       287,033  

Net investment income

     19,696       15,061       38,542       29,568  

Net gains on alternative investments

     1,038       45,212       39,514       67,014  

Net realized gains (losses) on sale of fixed maturities

     (2,575 )     509       3,205       2,999  

Other income

     1,211       2,212       2,379       4,215  
    


 


 


 


Total revenues

     191,188       206,299       454,357       390,829  
    


 


 


 


LOSSES AND EXPENSES

                                

Losses, benefits and experience refunds

     135,305       114,371       301,690       228,834  

Acquisition costs

     29,199       35,690       60,982       74,427  

Interest expense

     95       8,953       11,937       14,934  

General and administrative expenses

     13,945       10,785       24,115       18,981  
    


 


 


 


Total losses and expenses

     178,544       169,799       398,724       337,176  
    


 


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST

     12,644       36,500       55,633       53,653  

Minority interest

     —         (5,651 )     —         (8,241 )
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME (LOSS)

     12,644       30,849       55,633       45,412  

Change in net unrealized appreciation of fixed maturities

     (55,689 )     13,360       (36,960 )     12,632  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     572       —         433       —    
    


 


 


 


COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

   $ (42,473 )   $ 44,209     $ 19,106     $ 58,044  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.28     $ 0.81     $ 1.22     $ 1.19  
    


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.26     $ 0.81     $ 1.13     $ 1.19  
    


 


 


 


Diluted net operating earnings per share

   $ 0.32     $ 0.79     $ 1.07     $ 1.12  
    


 


 


 


Weighted average shares outstanding - basic

     45,725,811       38,129,213       45,636,602       38,118,783  
    


 


 


 


Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted

     48,852,992       45,302,798       49,092,498       45,252,263  
    


 


 


 



MAX RE CAPITAL LTD.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)

 

     Six months ended June 30,

 
     2004

    2003

 

Preferred shares

                

Balance, beginning of period

   $ —       $ —    
    


 


Balance, end of period

     —         —    
    


 


Common shares

                

Balance, beginning of period

     45,185       37,999  

Issue of shares

     553       363  

Repurchase of shares

     —         (275 )
    


 


Balance, end of period

     45,738       38,087  
    


 


Additional paid-in capital

                

Balance, beginning of period

     637,772       526,582  

Issue of common shares

     12,671       4,004  

Stock option expense

     272       127  

Repurchase of shares

     —         (3,146 )
    


 


Balance, end of period

     650,715       527,567  
    


 


Loans receivable from common share sales

                

Balance, beginning of period

     (11,965 )     (12,575 )

Loans granted

     —         —    

Loans repaid

     1,000       610  
    


 


Balance, end of period

     (10,965 )     (11,965 )
    


 


Unearned stock grant compensation

                

Balance, beginning of period

     (4,032 )     (2,656 )

Stock grants awarded

     (12,994 )     (3,740 )

Amortization

     3,026       1,142  
    


 


Balance, end of period

     (14,000 )     (5,254 )
    


 


Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

                

Balance, beginning of period

     25,790       49,108  

Holding gains (losses) on fixed maturities arising in period

     (33,755 )     17,971  

Net realized gains included in net income

     (3,205 )     (2,999 )

Currency translation adjustments

     433       —    

Allocation to minority interest

     —         (2,340 )
    


 


Balance, end of period

     (10,737 )     61,740  
    


 


Retained earnings (deficit)

                

Balance, beginning of period

     112,480       (4,299 )

Net income

     55,633       45,412  

Dividends paid

     (2,743 )     (1,529 )
    


 


Balance, end of period

     165,370       39,584  
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 826,121     $ 649,759  
    


 



MAX RE CAPITAL LTD.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)

 

     Six Months Ended June 30

 
     2004

    2003

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                

Net income

   $ 55,633     $ 45,412  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

                

Minority interest share of income

     —         8,241  

Amortization of unearned stock based compensation

     3,298       1,269  

Amortization of discount on fixed maturities

     4,293       2,490  

Net realized gains on sale of fixed maturities

     (3,205 )     (67,014 )

Net gains on alternative investments

     (39,514 )     (2,999 )

Accrued interest income

     (1,961 )     (444 )

Premiums receivable

     442       (198,565 )

Losses recoverable from reinsurers

     (56,503 )     (27,578 )

Funds withheld

     (18,014 )     (8,894 )

Deferred acquisition costs

     (24,018 )     (50,461 )

Deferred charges

     (3,568 )     2,345  

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     (20,556 )     (38,165 )

Other assets

     (6,946 )     (6,365 )

Property and casualty losses and experience refunds

     269,236       189,877  

Life and annuity benefits and experience refunds

     (15,613 )     (13,317 )

Funds withheld from reinsurers

     45,257       20,253  

Unearned property and casualty premiums

     182,525       276,892  

Reinsurance balances payable

     (24,222 )     38,508  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (17,744 )     6,398  
    


 


Cash from operating activities

     328,820       177,883  
    


 


INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                

Purchase of fixed maturities

     (615,145 )     (268,630 )

Sales (purchases) of alternative investments

     (145,579 )     (98,018 )

Sales of fixed maturities

     479,119       147,879  

Redemptions of fixed maturities

     20,489       26,500  
    


 


Cash used in investing activities

     (261,116 )     (192,269 )
    


 


FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                

Net proceeds from issuance of common shares

     230       627  

Repurchases of common shares

     —         (3,421 )

Proceeds from bank loan

     —         50,000  

Dividends

     (2,743 )     (1,529 )

Distributions to minority shareholders

     —         (285 )

Deposit liabilities

     (24,845 )     (16,868 )

Notes and loans repaid

     1,000       610  
    


 


Cash from (used in) financing activities

     (26,358 )     29,134  
    


 


Effect of exchange rate on cash

     433       —    
    


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     41,779       14,748  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     201,515       92,103  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 243,294     $ 106,851  
    


 


 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

Interest paid totaled $1,992 and $1,560 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.


MAX RE CAPITAL LTD.

 

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLEMENTAL DATA - JUNE 30, 2004

 

Year to Date Segment Information:

(in 000’s US$)


   Property & Casualty

    Life & Annuity

    Corporate

   Consolidated

 
   Traditional
Reinsurance


    Alternative
Risk


    Traditional
Insurance


    Total

        

Gross premiums written

   $ 245,706     $ 263,435     $ 111,805     $ 620,946     $ 2,239     $ —      $ 623,185  

Reinsurance premiums ceded

     (12,514 )     (25,810 )     (51,581 )     (89,905 )     (448 )     —        (90,353 )
    


 


 


 


 


 

  


Net premiums written

   $ 233,192     $ 237,625     $ 60,224     $ 531,041     $ 1,791     $ —      $ 532,832  
    


 


 


 


 


 

  


Earned premiums

   $ 152,132     $ 185,377     $ 100,099     $ 437,608     $ 2,239     $ —      $ 439,847  

Earned premiums ceded

     (9,385 )     (19,750 )     (39,547 )     (68,682 )     (448 )     —        (69,130 )
    


 


 


 


 


 

  


Net premiums earned

     142,747       165,627       60,552       368,926       1,791       —        370,717  

Net investment income

     —         —         —         —         —         38,542      38,542  

Net gains on alternative investments

     —         —         —         —         —         39,514      39,514  

Net realized gains on sales of fixed maturities

     —         —         —         —         —         3,205      3,205  

Other income

     —         —         —         —         —         2,379      2,379  
    


 


 


 


 


 

  


Total revenues

     142,747       165,627       60,552       368,926       1,791       83,640      454,357  

Losses, benefits and experience refunds

     98,881       141,039       44,929       284,849       16,841       —        301,690  

Acquisition costs

     25,820       31,627       2,012       59,459       1,523       —        60,982  

Interest expense

     —         —         —         —         —         11,937      11,937  

General and administrative expenses

     2,429       3,493       3,040       8,962       2,204       12,949      24,115  
    


 


 


 


 


 

  


Total losses and expenses

     127,130       176,159       49,981       353,270       20,568       24,886      398,724  
    


 


 


 


 


 

  


Net income (loss) before minority interest

   $ 15,617     $ (10,532 )   $ 10,571     $ 15,656     $ (18,777 )   $ 58,754    $ 55,633  
    


 


 


 


 


 

  


Loss Ratio

     69.3 %     85.2 %     74.2 %     77.2 %                       

Combined Ratio

     89.1 %     106.4 %     82.5 %     95.8 %                       

 

                Periodic Rate of Return

       

Selected Investment Return Data:


  

Fair

Value*


  

Investment

%’s


   

Last

3 Months


    Year
to Date


   

Last

12 Months


   

Last

36 months**


 

Cash and Fixed Maturities

   $ 1,925,444    65.5 %   -2.22 %   0.29 %   0.07 %   5.61 %
    

  

                       

Global Macro

   $ 127,970    4.4 %   -0.22 %   3.08 %   8.17 %   11.76 %

Long / Short Equity

     97,490    3.3 %   2.33 %   9.00 %   19.55 %   6.00 %

Convertible Arbitrage

     87,658    3.0 %   -3.22 %   -0.03 %   3.37 %   8.41 %

Diversified Arbitrage

     151,577    5.2 %   -0.88 %   2.71 %   7.03 %   8.35 %

Distressed Securities

     132,861    4.5 %   1.97 %   7.84 %   27.69 %   18.05 %

Opportunistic

     21,478    0.7 %   0.98 %   7.11 %   17.01 %   5.74 %

Emerging Markets

     67,131    2.3 %   1.73 %   7.02 %   17.97 %   14.94 %

Fixed Income Arbitrage

     58,017    2.0 %   4.37 %   7.44 %   15.91 %   12.80 %

Event-Driven Arbitrage

     59,579    2.0 %   0.97 %   7.71 %   20.64 %   10.83 %

Commodity Trading Advisers

     66,132    2.2 %   -7.06 %   -1.44 %   -1.20 %   4.98 %

Credit Long / Short

     66,403    2.3 %   -0.34 %   3.41 %   3.41 %   3.41 %
    

  

                       

MDS

     936,296    31.8 %   -0.15 %   4.12 %   11.31 %   8.79 %

Insurance Underwriting

     79,925    2.7 %   3.20 %   5.07 %   11.44 %   11.08 %
    

  

                       

Alternative Investments

   $ 1,016,221    34.5 %   0.10 %   4.17 %   11.29 %   9.12 %
    

  

                       

Total Investments

   $ 2,941,665    100.0 %   -1.43 %   1.68 %   3.91 %   6.73 %
    

  

                       

Comparative returns

                                     

Merrill Lynch Master Bond Index

                -2.46 %   0.13 %   0.30 %   6.44 %

Standard & Poors 500 Stock Index

                1.72 %   3.44 %   19.10 %   -0.69 %

80% Merrill Lynch Master Index and 20% S&P Index

                -1.63 %   0.80 %   3.85 %   5.25 %

* Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars
** Annualized