-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
JExq8ENpcBrxF1MQ3fJ4quiFiB2NS5nImwR/o50pWKQxcCB7gNOMY6r1+t4/Aumr
tb7DPkQgmUM/9pw1pXJOnQ==
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) November 5, 2004 NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) COLORADO 84-0467208 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 2-17039 (Commission File Number) 850 EAST ANDERSON LANE, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78752-1602 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip code) (512) 836-1010 (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition On November 5, 2004, National Western Life Insurance Company (the "Company") announced via press release the Company's financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2004. A copy of the Company's press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99. This Form 8-K and the attached exhibit are provided under Item 9.01 of Form 8-K and are furnished to, but not filed with, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The press release is available at the Company's website, www.nationalwesternlife.com. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibit No. Description 99 Press Release dated November 5, 2004 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY Date: November 8, 2004 /S/ Brian M. Pribyl Name: Brian M. Pribyl Title: Senior Vice President Chief Financial & Administrative Officer EXHIBIT 99 National Western Life Announces 2004 Third Quarter Earnings Austin, Texas, November 5, 2004 - Ross R. Moody, President of National Western Life Insurance Company (Nasdaq: NWLIA), announced today third quarter 2004 consolidated net earnings of $14.3 million, or $3.96 per diluted share, versus consolidated net earnings of $10.4 million, or $2.91 per diluted share, reported for the third quarter of 2003. Consolidated net earnings for the first nine months of 2004 were $103.3 million, or $28.69 per diluted share, compared with $37.2 million, or $10.47 per diluted share, reported a year ago. The 2004 results include the effect of a required change in accounting for certain annuity contracts during the first quarter of the year which increased reported net earnings by $54.7 million, or $15.19 per diluted share. The 2003 third quarter and nine-month results include a charge to net earnings of $6.3 million related to a lawsuit settlement agreement. The Company's book value per share at September 30, 2004 increased to $220.59. Earnings from operations, excluding net realized gains and losses on investments(
( c ) Exhibits
and Treasurer
The Company's annuity sales(2) in the first nine months of 2004 of $736 million trailed the record pace of $893 million established in the first nine months of 2003. Mr. Moody noted that the company's sales levels were in line with expectations. "In 2003, our annuity sales tripled over the prior year and we were not expecting 2004 sales to replicate the performance of 2003. We are very comfortable with our annuity sales level and the profitability of the products we are selling," Mr. Moody stated.
Sales of life insurance products(2) in the first nine months of 2004 were up 2% over the comparable period in 2003, while in the third quarter alone, life insurance sales increased 9% in 2004 as compared to 2003. Mr. Moody indicated, "The current economic uncertainty and low level of interest rates make this a tough environment for selling life insurance products. However, National Western benefits from having the diversification associated with its international business and is able to sustain growth as a result." Mr. Moody added that over 90% of the Company's life insurance sales are international.
Investment performance remained substantially ahead of the prior year as investment income, excluding index options(3), totaled $223.4 million in the first nine months of 2004 compared to $198.1 million in the same period of 2003. Mr. Moody noted that holdings of some airline related securities have been subject to recent losses relating to impairments in value. Despite these occurrences, the Company reported realized investment gains, net of taxes, of $1.3 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2004 compared to realized investment losses of $3.3 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, during the first nine months of 2003.
At September 30, 2004, the Company maintained total stockholders' equity of $789 million, assets of $5.9 billion, and life insurance in force of approximately $13.5 billion.
(1) |
The Company views earnings from operations, a non-GAAP financial measure, as an important indicator of financial performance. Presented in conjunction with net earnings, the combined presentation can enhance an investor's understanding of the Company's underlying profitability and results from ongoing operations. The definition of earnings from operations, as presented in this press release, excludes net realized investment gains and losses after tax. A reconciliation of earnings from operations to net earnings has been included as part of this press release. |
(2) |
Sales for a life insurance company are a non-GAAP financial measure. Sales as shown in this press release are presented in accordance with industry practice and represent the amount of new business sold during the period. The Company believes sales are a useful measure of distribution productivity and are also a leading indicator of future revenue trends. There is no comparable GAAP financial measure and, as a result, no reconciliation is provided. |
(3) |
The Company considers net investment income, excluding index option changes, a useful measurement of the Company's underlying investment portfolio performance by removing the volatility from changes in index option values. As net investment income, excluding index option changes, is considered a non-GAAP financial measure, the following reconciliation is provided. |
($'s in millions) |
Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
||||||
September 30, |
September 30, |
|||||||
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
|||||
Net investment income |
$ |
64.0 |
69.7 |
213.0 |
204.8 |
|||
Gain (loss) on index options |
(11.6) |
1.9 |
(10.4) |
6.7 |
||||
Net investment income |
||||||||
excluding index options |
$ |
75.6 |
67.8 |
223.4 |
198.1 |
|||
Summary of Consolidated Operating Results
Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
|||||||
September 30, |
September 30, |
|||||||
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
|||||
Revenues: |
||||||||
Revenues, excluding realized investment |
||||||||
gains (losses) and index options |
$ |
107,159 |
93,059 |
310,430 |
273,264 |
|||
Index options |
(11,557) |
1,851 |
(10,357) |
6,659 |
||||
Realized gains (losses) on investments |
(1,510) |
1,254 |
1,962 |
(5,063) |
||||
Total revenues |
$ |
94,092 |
96,164 |
302,035 |
274,860 |
|||
Earnings: |
||||||||
Earnings from operations |
$ |
15,277 |
9,622 |
47,348 |
40,539 |
|||
Net realized gains (losses) on investments |
(982) |
815 |
1,275 |
(3,291) |
||||
Cumulative effect of a change in |
||||||||
accounting principle |
- |
- |
54,697 |
- |
||||
Net earnings |
$ |
14,295 |
10,437 |
103,320 |
37,248 |
|||
Basic Earnings Per Share: |
||||||||
Earnings from operations |
$ |
4.29 |
2.71 |
13.30 |
11.48 |
|||
Net realized gains (losses) on investments |
(0.28) |
0.24 |
0.36 |
(0.93) |
||||
Cumulative effect of a change in |
||||||||
accounting principle |
- |
- |
15.36 |
- |
||||
Net earnings |
$ |
4.01 |
2.95 |
29.02 |
10.55 |
|||
Basic Weighted Average Shares |
3,569 |
3,541 |
3,560 |
3,531 |
||||
Diluted Earnings Per Share: |
||||||||
Earnings from operations |
$ |
4.23 |
2.68 |
13.15 |
11.40 |
|||
Net realized gains (losses) on investments |
(0.27) |
0.23 |
0.35 |
(0.93) |
||||
Cumulative effect of a change in |
||||||||
accounting principle |
- |
- |
15.19 |
- |
||||
Net earnings |
$ |
3.96 |
2.91 |
28.69 |
10.47 |
|||
Diluted Weighted Average Shares |
3,608 |
3,576 |
3,601 |
3,558 |
||||
Investor Relations Contact:
Brian M. Pribyl
Senior Vice President
Chief Financial & Administrative Officer
(512) 719-2493
bpribyl@nationalwesternlife.com