EX-99 2 l19606aexv99.htm EX-99 PRESS RELEASE EX-99
 

EXHIBIT 99
     
(PROGRESSIVE LOGO)    
    NEWS
    RELEASE
     
The Progressive Corporation   Company Contact:     
6300 Wilson Mills Road   Thomas A. King     
Mayfield Village, Ohio 44143   (440)395-2260     
http://www.progressive.com    
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, OHIO — April 12, 2006 — The Progressive Corporation today reported the following results for March 2006:
                                                 
    Month   Quarter
(millions, except per share amounts and                        
ratios)   2006   2005   Change   2006   2005   Change
Net premiums written
  $ 1,137.7     $ 1,127.6       1 %   $ 3,676.7     $ 3,604.8       2 %
 
                                               
Net premiums earned
    1,086.5       1,049.9       3 %     3,500.5       3,350.0       4 %
 
                                               
Net income
    156.0       135.2       15 %     436.6       412.7       6 %
 
                                               
Per share
    .79       .67       18 %     2.21       2.04       8 %
 
                                               
Pre-tax net realized gains (losses) on securities
    (.5 )     (.2 )     150 %     .5       10.2       (95 )%
 
                                               
Combined ratio
    83.3       84.8       (1.5 ) pts.     85.2       85.0     .2 pts.
 
                                               
Diluted equivalent shares
    197.5       201.4       (2 )%     197.9       201.9       (2 )%
See the “Income Statements” for further month and year-to-date information and the monthly commentary at the end of this release for additional discussion.
     The Company offers insurance to personal and commercial auto drivers throughout the United States. The Company’s Personal Lines business units write insurance for private passenger automobiles and recreational vehicles. The Company’s Commercial Auto business unit writes primary liability, physical damage and other auto-related insurance for automobiles and trucks owned by small businesses. See “Supplemental Information” for month and year-to-date results.

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THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INCOME STATEMENT
March 2006

(millions – except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
                 
    Current        
    Month     Comments on Monthly Results1
Direct premiums written
  $ 1,159.3          
 
             
 
               
Net premiums written
  $ 1,137.7          
 
             
 
               
Revenues:
               
Net premiums earned
  $ 1,086.5          
Investment income
    56.5          
Net realized gains (losses) on securities
    (.5 )   Includes $1.1 million of write-downs on securities determined to have
 
          had an other-than-temporary decline in market value.
 
               
Service revenues
    2.6          
 
             
Total revenues
    1,145.1          
 
             
Expenses:
               
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    682.7          
Policy acquisition costs
    112.4          
Other underwriting expenses
    109.5          
Investment expenses
    .8          
Service expenses
    2.2          
Interest expense
    6.8          
 
             
Total expenses
    914.4          
 
             
 
               
Income before income taxes
    230.7          
Provision for income taxes
    74.7          
 
             
Net income
  $ 156.0          
 
             
 
               
COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE        
Basic:
               
Average shares outstanding
    194.9          
 
             
Per share
  $ .80          
 
             
Diluted:
               
Average shares outstanding
    194.9          
Net effect of dilutive stock-based compensation
    2.6          
 
             
Total equivalent shares
    197.5          
 
             
Per share
  $ .79          
 
             
 
1  
See the Monthly Commentary at the end of this release for additional discussion. For a description of the Company’s reporting and accounting policies, see Note 1 to the Company’s 2005 audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2005 Shareholders’ Report, which can be found at www.progressive.com/annualreport.
The following table sets forth the investment results for the month:
         
Fully taxable equivalent total return:
       
Fixed-income securities
    (.2 )%
Common stocks
    1.4 %
Total portfolio
    .1 %
 
       
Pretax recurring investment book yield
    4.9 %

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THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INCOME STATEMENTS
March 2006 Year-to-Date

(millions – except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
                         
    Year-to-Date        
                    %  
    2006     2005     Change  
Direct premiums written
  $ 3,743.1     $ 3,684.3       2  
 
                   
Net premiums written
  $ 3,676.7     $ 3,604.8       2  
 
                   
 
                       
Revenues:
                       
Net premiums earned
  $ 3,500.5     $ 3,350.0       4  
Investment income
    151.5       120.4       26  
Net realized gains (losses) on securities
    .5       10.2       (95 )
Service revenues
    8.4       11.2       (25 )
 
                   
Total revenues
    3,660.9       3,491.8       5  
 
                   
Expenses:
                       
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    2,282.8       2,168.6       5  
Policy acquisition costs
    362.1       356.1       2  
Other underwriting expenses
    338.7       323.4       5  
Investment expenses
    2.5       2.8       (11 )
Service expenses
    6.8       5.4       26  
Interest expense
    20.5       20.8       (1 )
 
                   
Total expenses
    3,013.4       2,877.1       5  
 
                   
 
                       
Income before income taxes
    647.5       614.7       5  
Provision for income taxes
    210.9       202.0       4  
 
                   
Net income
  $ 436.6     $ 412.7       6  
 
                   
 
                       
COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
                       
Basic:
                       
Average shares outstanding
    195.3       199.0       (2 )
 
                   
Per share
  $ 2.24     $ 2.07       8  
 
                   
Diluted:
                       
Average shares outstanding
    195.3       199.0       (2 )
Net effect of dilutive stock-based compensation
    2.6       2.9       (10 )
 
                   
Total equivalent shares
    197.9       201.9       (2 )
 
                   
Per share
  $ 2.21     $ 2.04       8  
 
                   
The following table sets forth the investment results for the year-to-date period:
                 
    2006   2005
Fully taxable equivalent total return:
               
Fixed-income securities
    .4 %     (.2 )%
Common stocks
    4.7 %     (1.7 )%
Total portfolio
    1.0 %     (.4 )%
 
               
Pretax recurring investment book yield
    4.4 %     3.8 %

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THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
March 2006

($ in millions)
(unaudited)
Current Month
                                                 
                            Commercial        
    Personal Lines   Auto   Other   Companywide
    Drive   Direct   Total   Business   Businesses1   Total
Net Premiums Written
  $ 625.5     $ 347.8     $ 973.3     $ 162.9     $ 1.5     $ 1,137.7  
% Growth in NPW
    (3 )%     4 %     (1 )%     13 %     NM       1 %
Net Premiums Earned
  $ 615.3     $ 332.5     $ 947.8     $ 136.7     $ 2.0     $ 1,086.5  
% Growth in NPE
    %     9 %     3 %     11 %     NM       3 %
 
                                               
GAAP Ratios
                                               
Loss/LAE ratio
    63.0       63.2       63.1       61.6       NM       62.9  
Expense ratio
    20.4       20.0       20.2       21.4       NM       20.4  
     
Combined ratio
    83.4       83.2       83.3       83.0       NM       83.3  
     
 
                                               
Actuarial Adjustments2
                                               
Reserve Decrease/(Increase)
                                               
Prior accident years
                                          $ 21.1  
Current accident year
                                            5.0  
 
                                               
Calendar year actuarial adjustment
  $ 16.2     $ 6.8     $ 23.0     $ 2.6     $ .5     $ 26.1  
 
                                               
 
                                               
Prior Accident Years Development
                                               
Favorable/(Unfavorable)
                                               
Actuarial adjustment
                                          $ 21.1  
All other development
                                            (.9 )
 
                                               
Total development
                                          $ 20.2  
 
                                               
 
                                               
Calendar year loss/LAE ratio
                                            62.9  
 
                                               
Accident year loss/LAE ratio
                                            64.8  
 
                                               
 
                                               
Statutory Ratios
                                               
Loss/LAE ratio
                                            62.9  
Expense ratio
                                            19.9  
 
                                               
Combined ratio
                                            82.8  
 
                                               
 
NM = Not Meaningful
 
1   Primarily includes professional liability insurance for community banks and the Company’s run-off businesses. The other businesses generated an underwriting profit of $.6 million for the month.
 
2   Represents adjustments solely based on the Company’s corporate actuarial review.

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THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
March 2006 Year-to-Date

($ in millions)
(unaudited)
Year-to-Date
                                                 
                            Commercial        
    Personal Lines   Auto   Other   Companywide
    Drive   Direct   Total   Business   Businesses1   Total
Net Premiums Written
  $ 2,032.3     $ 1,141.4     $ 3,173.7     $ 496.3     $ 6.7     $ 3,676.7  
% Growth in NPW
    (2 )%     6 %     %     14 %     NM       2 %
Net Premiums Earned
  $ 1,984.0     $ 1,067.0     $ 3,051.0     $ 442.8     $ 6.7     $ 3,500.5  
% Growth in NPE
    %     10 %     3 %     12 %     NM       4 %
 
                                               
GAAP Ratios
                                               
Loss/LAE ratio
    65.7       65.6       65.7       62.5       NM       65.2  
Expense ratio
    20.2       20.0       20.1       19.0       NM       20.0  
     
Combined ratio
    85.9       85.6       85.8       81.5       NM       85.2  
     
 
                                               
Actuarial Adjustments2
                                               
Reserve Decrease/(Increase)
                                               
Prior accident years
                                          $ 48.4  
Current accident year
                                            7.3  
 
                                               
Calendar year actuarial adjustment
  $ 31.2     $ 14.0     $ 45.2     $ 10.3     $ .2     $ 55.7  
 
                                               
 
                                               
Prior Accident Years Development
                                               
Favorable/(Unfavorable)
                                               
Actuarial adjustment
                                          $ 48.4  
All other development
                                            55.3  
 
                                               
Total development
                                          $ 103.7  
 
                                               
 
                                               
Calendar year loss/LAE ratio
                                            65.2  
 
                                               
Accident year loss/LAE ratio
                                            68.2  
 
                                               
 
                                               
Statutory Ratios
                                               
Loss/LAE ratio
                                            65.3  
Expense ratio
                                            19.5  
 
                                               
Combined ratio
                                            84.8  
 
                                               
 
                                               
Statutory Surplus
                                          $ 5,173.2  
 
                                               
 
NM = Not Meaningful
                         
    March     March        
    2006     2005     Change  
     
Policies in Force
                       
(in thousands)
                       
Drive — Auto
    4,546       4,443       2 %
Direct — Auto
    2,383       2,209       8 %
Special Lines3
    2,722       2,429       12 %
             
Total Personal Lines
    9,651       9,081       6 %
             
Commercial Auto Business
    482       433       11 %
             
 
1   The other businesses generated an underwriting profit of $2.5 million.
 
2   Represents adjustments solely based on the Company’s corporate actuarial review.
 
3   Includes insurance for motorcycles, recreational vehicles, mobile homes, watercraft, snowmobiles and similar items.

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THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
BALANCE SHEET AND OTHER INFORMATION

(millions– except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
         
    March  
    2006  
CONDENSED GAAP BALANCE SHEET:1
       
Investments — Available-for-sale, at market:
       
Fixed maturities (amortized cost: $10,513.3)
  $ 10,368.0  
Equity securities:
       
Preferred stocks (cost: $1,305.5)
    1,304.6  
Common equities (cost: $1,429.2)
    2,140.3  
Short-term investments (amortized cost: $708.2)
    708.5  
 
     
Total investments2
    14,521.4  
Net premiums receivable
    2,639.7  
Deferred acquisition costs
    461.5  
Other assets
    1,635.6  
 
     
Total assets
  $ 19,258.2  
 
     
 
       
Unearned premiums
  $ 4,508.1  
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
    5,632.0  
Other liabilities2
    1,517.2  
Debt
    1,285.0  
Shareholders’ equity
    6,315.9  
 
     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 19,258.2  
 
     
 
       
Common Shares outstanding
    195.9  
Shares repurchased — March
    1.1  
Average cost per share
  $ 105.27  
Book value per share
  $ 32.24  
Trailing 12-month return on average shareholders’ equity
    24.3 %
Net unrealized pre-tax gains on investments
  $ 565.2  
Increase (decrease) from February 2006
  $ (55.9 )
Increase (decrease) from December 2005
  $ (34.9 )
Debt to total capital ratio
    16.9 %
Fixed-income portfolio duration
    3.1 Years  
Weighted average credit quality
    AA  
 
1   Pursuant to SFAS 113, “Accounting and Reporting for Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts,” loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are stated gross of reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses of $345.0 million.
 
2   Amounts include net unsettled security acquisitions of $95.8 million.

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Monthly Commentary
    For March, the Company’s frequency and severity was lower than historical trends; average earned premiums remained relatively flat.
The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, ranks third in the nation for auto insurance based on premiums written and provides drivers with competitive rates and 24/7, in-person and online service. The products and services of the Progressive Direct Group of Insurance Companies are marketed directly to consumers by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE and online at www.progressivedirect.com through the Progressive DirectSM brand. The Drive Group of Progressive Insurance Companies offers insurance through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies that market their products and services through the Drive® Insurance from Progressive brand. For more information about Drive Insurance, go to www.driveinsurance.com. The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at NYSE:PGR. More information, including a guide to interpreting the monthly reporting package, can be found at www.progressive.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this release that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those discussed herein. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, uncertainties related to estimates, assumptions and projections generally; inflation and changes in economic conditions (including changes in interest rates and financial markets); the accuracy and adequacy of the Company’s pricing and loss reserving methodologies; pricing competition and other initiatives by competitors; the Company’s ability to obtain regulatory approval for requested rate changes and the timing thereof; the effectiveness of the Company’s advertising campaigns; legislative and regulatory developments; disputes relating to intellectual property rights; the outcome of litigation pending or that may be filed against the Company; weather conditions (including the severity and frequency of storms, hurricanes, snowfalls, hail and winter conditions); changes in driving patterns and loss trends; acts of war and terrorist activities; the Company’s ability to maintain the uninterrupted operation of its facilities, systems (including information technology systems) and business functions; court decisions and trends in litigation and health care and auto repair costs; and other matters described from time to time by the Company in releases and publications, and in periodic reports and other documents filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, investors should be aware that generally accepted accounting principles prescribe when a company may reserve for particular risks, including litigation exposures. Accordingly, results for a given reporting period could be significantly affected if and when a reserve is established for one or more contingencies. Reported results, therefore, may appear to be volatile in certain accounting periods.

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