EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO   

ACE Limited

ACE Global Headquarters

17 Woodbourne Avenue

Hamilton HM 08

Bermuda

    

PO Box HM 1015

Hamilton HM DX

Bermuda

 

441 295-5200 main

441 292-8675 fax

 

www.acelimited.com

  

LOGO

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

  Investor Contact:    Helen M. Wilson  
     (441) 299-9283  
     helen.wilson@ace.bm  
  Media Contact:    Robert T. Grieves  
     (212) 827-4444  
     robert.grieves@ace-ina.com  

ACE LIMITED REPORTS RECORD THIRD QUARTER 2006 NET INCOME OF

$578 MILLION OR $1.73 PER SHARE; RECORD OPERATING INCOME OF $652

MILLION OR $1.96 PER SHARE; P&C COMBINED RATIO OF 85.7%

HAMILTON, Bermuda – October 24, 2006 — ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE) today reported net income for the third quarter ended September 30, 2006 of $578 million or $1.73 per common share after payment of preferred dividends, compared with a net loss of $112 million or $(0.43) per share for the same quarter last year. Income (loss) excluding net realized gains (losses) for the third quarter was $652 million, or $1.96 per share, compared with $(187) million or $(0.70) per share for the same quarter a year ago.(1) In the third quarter of 2006 after-tax catastrophe losses were $5 million or $0.01 per share. The losses from hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Dennis and other catastrophes resulted in an after-tax charge of $742 million for the third quarter of 2005 or $2.56 per share. The P&C combined ratio for the current quarter was 85.7%. Annualized return on average equity for the quarter was 20.6%

Third Quarter Summary

(in millions, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

                      (Per Share - Diluted)
     2006     2005     Change    2006     2005     Change

Net income (loss)

   $ 578     $ (112 )   NM    $ 1.73     $ (0.43 )   NM

Net realized gains (losses), net of tax

     (74 )     75     —        (0.23 )     0.27     —  

Income (loss) excluding net realized gains (losses), net of tax (1)

   $ 652     $ (187 )   NM    $ 1.96     $ (0.70 )   NM

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $1.6 billion or $4.92 per share, compared with $792 million or $2.63 per share for the nine months of 2005. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, income excluding net realized gains and cumulative effect(2) was $1.7 billion or $5.13 per share,

 

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compared with $711 million or $2.34 per share for the same period of 2005. (1) After-tax net catastrophe losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 were $10 million and $742 million or $0.03 and $2.57 per share, respectively. The P&C combined ratio for the nine months of 2006 was 87.8%; excluding catastrophe losses, the combined ratio for the nine months of 2005 was 88.4%. Annualized return on equity for the nine month period was 18.4 %.( 3)

 

    

Nine Months Summary

(in millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

       
       (Per Share - Diluted)  
     2006     2005    Change     2006     2005    Change  

Net income

   $ 1,640     $ 792    107 %   $ 4.92     $ 2.63    87 %

Net realized gains (losses), net of tax

     (72 )     81    —         (0.22 )     0.29    —    

Cumulative effect, net of tax(2)

     4       —      —         0.01       —      —    

Income excluding net realized gains (losses) and cumulative effect, net of tax (1)

   $ 1,708     $ 711    140 %   $ 5.13     $ 2.34    119 %

Evan Greenberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACE Limited, commented: “We had an excellent quarter, with all areas of the company performing well. The positive effect of the lack of catastrophe activity only added to what was already a very good quarter of operating performance. Our P&C combined ratio was 85.7% while return on equity was 20.6%. We had record growth in book value of more than $1 billion. Our organization is in great shape, and we expect to continue to produce excellent results into the future.”

Third quarter operating highlights were as follows:

 

    P&C net premiums written increased 4% over the prior year quarter.

 

    P&C net premiums earned increased 8% over the prior year quarter.

 

    The P&C combined ratio was 85.7% for the quarter compared with 116.0% in 2005. Excluding catastrophe losses, the P&C combined ratio for the same period in 2005 was 86.5%.

 

    P&C underwriting income increased 198% over the prior year quarter.

 

    Operating cash flow amounted to $1.3 billion for the quarter.

 

    Invested assets increased by $1.2 billion from June 30, 2006.

 

    Net losses and loss expenses increased $126 million to $20.4 billion from June 30, 2006. Excluding the impact of the reserves sold to Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings Limited, net losses and loss expenses increased approximately $614 million from June 30, 2006.

 

    Net investment income increased 29% to $414 million over the prior year quarter.

 

    Shareholders’ equity increased 8% or $1 billion to $13.5 billion from June 30, 2006 and 14% or $1.7 billion from December 31, 2005.

 

    Tangible equity(1) rose to $10.8 billion, an increase of 11% from June 30, 2006.

 

    Debt to total capital ratio decreased to 13.4% from 15.9% at June 30, 2006.

 

    Annualized return on average equity for the quarter was 20.6%. (3)

 

    Book value per share as of September 30, 2006 was $39.74. (4)

 

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Details of our financial results for our P&C business segments are available in the financial supplement. Key items include:

 

    Insurance-North American: Net premiums written increased 11% over the prior year quarter. The combined ratio was 87.6%.

 

    Insurance-Overseas General: Net premiums written increased 5% over the prior year quarter. The combined ratio was 82.2%.

 

    Global Reinsurance: Net premiums written decreased 25% over the prior year quarter. The combined ratio was 76.2%.

 

    Financial Services: Income excluding net realized gains (losses) increased by $39 million to $36 million over the prior year quarter.

 

    Life Insurance and Reinsurance: Net premiums written increased 13% over the prior year quarter. Income excluding net realized gains (losses) increased 38% to $36 million over the prior year quarter.

Please refer to the ACE Financial Supplement September 30, 2006, which is posted on the Company’s website, for more detailed information on individual segment performance, together with additional disclosure on reinsurance recoverable, loss reserves, investment portfolio and capital structure. ACE’s website reference (URL) is http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/100907/reports/fin_supp_september_30_2006.xls. (Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser’s URL address field.)

ACE will host its third quarter 2006, quarter-end earnings conference call and webcast on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 beginning at 8:30 a.m. EDT. The earnings conference call will be available via live and archived webcast at www.acelimited.com or by dialing 800-289-0572 (within the United States) or 913-981-5543 (international); passcode 1327941. Please refer to the ACE Limited website in the Investor Information section under Calendar of Events for details. A replay of the call will be available from approximately 11:30 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 until Friday, November 24, 2006. To listen to the replay, dial: 888-203-1112 (in the United States) or 719-457-0820 (international); passcode 1327941 (#).

The ACE Group of Companies is a global leader in insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited, a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index, the ACE Group conducts its business on a worldwide basis with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries. Additional information can be found at: www.acelimited.com.


1 Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

Operating Income or Income excluding net realized gains (losses) and cumulative effect, net of tax is a common performance measurement for insurance companies. We believe this presentation enhances the understanding of our results of operations by highlighting the underlying profitability of our insurance business. We exclude net realized gains (losses) because the amount of these gains (losses) is heavily influenced by, and fluctuates in part according to, the availability of market opportunities. We exclude the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle net of tax because this amount resulted in a one-time adjustment to income.

Underwriting income is calculated by subtracting losses and loss expenses, life and annuity benefits, policy acquisition costs and administrative expenses from net premiums earned. We use underwriting income and operating ratios to monitor the results of our operations without the impact of certain factors, including net investment income, other (income) expense, interest and income tax expense and net realized gains (losses). We believe the use of these measures enhances the understanding of our results of operations by highlighting the underlying profitability of our insurance business.

Tangible shareholders’ equity is shareholders’ equity less goodwill. See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 23 in the financial supplement.

These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for net income determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

2 The cumulative effect is a benefit resulting from the inclusion of a forfeiture rate on restricted stock in our stock compensation expense calculations, as required under Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) 123R.
3 Calculated using income excluding net realized gains (losses).
4 Book value per ordinary share is ordinary shareholders’ equity divided by the shares outstanding.

 

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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Any forward-looking statements made in this press release reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. For example, the Company’s forward-looking statements could be affected by competition, pricing and policy term trends, the levels of new and renewal business achieved, market acceptance, changes in demand, the frequency of unpredictable catastrophic events, actual loss experience, uncertainties in the reserving or settlement process, new theories of liability, judicial, legislative, regulatory and other governmental developments, litigation tactics and developments, investigation developments and actual settlement terms, the amount and timing of reinsurance recoverable, credit developments among reinsurers, actual market developments, rating agency action, possible terrorism or the outbreak and effects of war and economic, political, regulatory, insurance and reinsurance business conditions, as well as management’s response to these factors, and other factors identified in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

(tables to follow)

 

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ACE Limited

Summary Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

 

     September 30
2006
   December 31
2005
     (Unaudited)     

Assets

     

Total investments

   $ 35,529    $ 31,842

Cash

     544      512

Insurance and reinsurance balances receivable

     3,733      3,343

Reinsurance recoverable

     14,729      15,463

Other assets

     11,898      11,280
             

Total assets

   $ 66,433    $ 62,440
             

Liabilities

     

Unpaid losses and loss expenses

   $ 35,149    $ 35,055

Unearned premiums

     6,676      5,884

Other liabilities

     11,097      9,689
             

Total liabilities

   $ 52,922    $ 50,628
             

Shareholders’ equity

     

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 13,511    $ 11,812
             

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 66,433    $ 62,440
             

Book value per ordinary share (4)

   $ 39.74    $ 34.81

 

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ACE Limited

Summary Consolidated Financial Data

(in millions of U.S. dollars, except share, per share data, and ratios)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30
   

Nine Months Ended

September 30

 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

Gross premiums written

   $ 4,297     $ 4,261     $ 13,391     $ 13,017  

Net premiums written

     2,790       2,889       9,166       9,164  

Net premiums earned

     3,088       3,091       8,799       8,889  

Losses and loss expenses

     1,818       2,804       5,246       6,436  

Life and annuity benefits

     29       35       91       108  

Policy acquisition costs

     441       426       1,290       1,243  

Administrative expenses

     353       308       1,091       960  
                                

Underwriting income (loss) (1)

     447       (482 )     1,081       142  

Net investment income

     414       320       1,173       910  

Net realized gains (losses)

     (113 )     83       (113 )     101  

Interest expense

     46       43       134       128  

Other (income) expense

     (6 )     (25 )     (27 )     (36 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

     130       15       398       269  

Cumulative effect, net of tax

     —         —         4       —    
                                

Net income (loss)

     578       (112 )     1,640       792  

Preference shares dividend

     (11 )     (11 )     (33 )     (33 )
                                

Net income available to holders of ordinary shares

   $ 567     $ (123 )   $ 1,607     $ 759  
                                

Diluted earnings per share:

        

Income (loss) excluding net realized gains (losses) and cumulative effect (1)

   $ 1.96     $ (0.70 )   $ 5.13     $ 2.34  

Net income (loss)

   $ 1.73     $ (0.43 )   $ 4.92     $ 2.63  

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

     326.7       284.8       326.5       288.7  

Loss and loss expense ratio

     60.2 %     92.6 %     61.0 %     73.9 %

Policy acquisition cost ratio

     14.4 %     13.9 %     14.8 %     14.1 %

Administrative expense ratio

     11.4 %     10.1 %     12.4 %     10.9 %

Combined ratio

     86.0 %     116.6 %     88.2 %     98.9 %

Ratios exclude life insurance and reinsurance business

 

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ACE Limited

Consolidated Supplemental Segment Information

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30
   

Nine Months Ended

September 30

 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

Gross Premiums Written

        

Insurance - North American

   $ 2,545     $ 2,250     $ 7,369     $ 6,744  

Insurance - Overseas General

     1,387       1,328       4,456       4,387  

Global Reinsurance

     291       411       1,312       1,316  

Financial Services

     5       211       58       389  

Life Insurance and Reinsurance

     69       61       196       181  
                                

Total

   $ 4,297     $ 4,261     $ 13,391     $ 13,017  
                                

Net Premiums Written

        

Insurance - North American

   $ 1,454     $ 1,307     $ 4,406     $ 4,144  

Insurance - Overseas General

     978       929       3,207       3,181  

Global Reinsurance

     284       380       1,299       1,270  

Financial Services

     5       212       58       388  

Life Insurance and Reinsurance

     69       61       196       181  
                                

Total

   $ 2,790     $ 2,889     $ 9,166     $ 9,164  
                                

Net Premiums Earned

        

Insurance - North American

   $ 1,530     $ 1,338     $ 4,164     $ 3,942  

Insurance - Overseas General

     1,099       1,027       3,224       3,191  

Global Reinsurance

     373       408       1,131       1,136  

Financial Services

     17       257       84       439  

Life Insurance and Reinsurance

     69       61       196       181  
                                

Total

   $ 3,088     $ 3,091     $ 8,799     $ 8,889  
                                

Income (Loss) Excluding Net Realized Gains (Losses) and Cumulative Effect (1)

        

Insurance - North American

   $ 268     $ 61     $ 744     $ 456  

Insurance - Overseas General

     226       53       567       359  

Global Reinsurance

     135       (267 )     388       (73 )

Financial Services

     36       (3 )     113       87  

Life Insurance and Reinsurance

     36       26       96       76  

Corporate

     (49 )     (57 )     (200 )     (194 )
                                

Total

   $ 652     $ (187 )   $ 1,708     $ 711  
                                

 

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