EX-99.1 2 d807117dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

 

LOGO

  

 

 

 

  ACE Limited   Bärengasse 32   CH-8001 Zurich   Switzerland

    

 

 

 

   +41 (0)43 456 76 00 main

   +41 (0)43 456 76 01 fax

   www.acegroup.com

   LOGO
   Investor Contact:      Helen M. Wilson
        (441) 299-9283
        helen.wilson@acegroup.com
   Media Contact:      Jeffrey Zack
        (212) 827-4444
        jeffrey.zack@acegroup.com

ACE REPORTS RECORD QUARTERLY OPERATING INCOME OF $2.64 PER SHARE,

UP 6%; GLOBAL P&C NET PREMIUMS UP 4%; P&C COMBINED RATIO IS 86.3%

AND OPERATING RETURN ON EQUITY IS 12.6%

 

    After-tax operating income of $891 million for the quarter and $2.5 billion for the year(1) are both records
    P&C underwriting income of $586 million, up 4.9%
    Net investment income of $566 million, up 8.5%
    Operating cash flow of $1.1 billion
    Book value per share up 6.5% and tangible book value per share up 7.4% for the year

ZURICH – October 21, 2014 – ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE) today reported net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, of $2.32 per share, compared with $2.66 per share for the same quarter last year.(2) Operating income was $2.64 per share, compared with $2.49 per share for the same quarter last year. Book value and tangible book value per share increased 0.2% and 0.4%, respectively, from June 30, 2014. Book value and tangible book value per share now stand at $90.38 and $74.05, respectively. Operating return on equity for the quarter was 12.6%. The property and casualty (P&C) combined ratio for the quarter was 86.3%.

Third Quarter Summary

(in millions, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

                        (Per Share – Diluted)  
     2014     2013      Change     2014     2013      Change  

Operating income, net of tax

   $ 891      $ 857         3.9   $ 2.64      $ 2.49         6.0

Adjusted net realized gains (losses), net of tax

     (106     59         NM        (0.32     0.17         NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 785      $ 916         (14.2 )%    $ 2.32      $ 2.66         (12.8 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 


For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, net income was $6.75 per share, compared with $8.02 per share for 2013. Operating income was $7.32 per share, compared with $6.95 per share for 2013, an increase of 5.3%. Book value and tangible book value per share increased 6.5% and 7.4%, respectively, from December 31, 2013. The P&C combined ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, was 87.5%.

Nine Months Ended Summary

(in millions, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

                        (Per Share – Diluted)  
     2014     2013      Change     2014     2013      Change  

Operating income, net of tax

   $ 2,493      $ 2,393         4.2   $ 7.32      $ 6.95         5.3

Adjusted net realized gains (losses), net of tax

     (195     367         NM        (0.57     1.07         NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 2,298      $ 2,760         (16.7 )%    $ 6.75      $ 8.02         (15.8 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Evan G. Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ACE Limited, commented: “ACE had record earnings for the quarter and nine months. After-tax operating income for the quarter of $2.64 per share was up 6%, driven by growth in underwriting income and investment income, both of which were up for the quarter and year. Our ROE in the quarter was 12.6%.

“P&C underwriting income was up 5% as a result of growth in earned premium and steady underwriting margin. The combined ratio of 86.3% benefitted from strong current accident year results, positive prior years’ reserve development and relatively light catastrophe losses. Net investment income was up 8.5%, due primarily to growth in our invested assets and partnership distributions.

“Net P&C premiums excluding crop insurance grew 4% in the quarter and 7% year to date. While growth naturally slowed a bit in the quarter given a more competitive market globally, we see many opportunities for growth due to our broad global diversification. We expect stronger growth in the fourth quarter in constant dollars.

“We continue to invest for the future. As we announced earlier, all of our regulatory approvals are now in hand for our acquisition of Itaú’s large corporate P&C insurance business in Brazil. We expect the transaction will now close October 31.”

 

Page 2/10


Operating highlights for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, were as follows:

 

     3Q     3Q        
(in millions of U.S. dollars except for percentages)    2014     2013     Change  

P&C

      

Net premiums written

   $ 4,232      $ 4,141        2.2

Net premiums written constant-dollar

     $ 4,160        1.7

Underwriting income

   $ 586      $ 558        4.9

Combined ratio

     86.3     86.5  

Current accident year underwriting income excluding catastrophe losses

   $ 440      $ 426        3.2

Current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses

     89.8     89.8  

Global P&C (excludes Agriculture)

      

Net premiums written

   $ 3,468      $ 3,336        4.0

Net premiums written constant-dollar

     $ 3,356        3.4

Underwriting income

   $ 505      $ 493        2.5

Combined ratio

     85.6     85.0  

Current accident year underwriting income excluding catastrophe losses

   $ 360      $ 369        (2.4 )% 

Current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses

     89.8     88.9  

Agriculture

      

Net premiums written

   $ 764      $ 805        (5.2 )% 

Underwriting income

   $ 81      $ 65        23.4

Combined ratio

     89.5     92.3  

Current accident year underwriting income excluding catastrophe losses

   $ 80      $ 57        39.7

Current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses

     89.6     93.3  

 

    P&C net premiums earned increased 2.9%, and Global P&C net premiums earned increased 6.2%.

 

    The P&C expense ratio for the quarter was 27.8% compared with 25.8% last year. The Global P&C expense ratio, which excludes Agriculture, was 32.7% compared with 31.3% last year. The prior year Global P&C expense ratio includes a 1.0 point favorable impact for purchase accounting adjustments related to the Mexican acquisitions. The Agriculture expense ratio for the quarter was 5.8% compared with 4.3% last year. The current quarter ratio includes the unfavorable impact of lower crop insurance production as a result of lower commodity prices and lower ceded commission benefits due to the non-renewal of a third-party proportional reinsurance agreement.

 

    Total pre-tax and after-tax catastrophe losses including reinstatement premiums were $86 million (2.1 percentage points of the combined ratio) and $76 million, respectively, compared with $78 million (1.8 percentage points of the combined ratio) and $70 million, respectively, last year.

 

    Favorable prior period development pre-tax and after-tax for the quarter were $232 million (5.6 percentage points of the combined ratio) and $172 million, respectively, compared with $210 million (5.1 percentage points of the combined ratio) and $162 million, respectively, last year.

 

    Operating cash flow was $1.1 billion for the quarter.

 

Page 3/10


    Net loss reserves increased $93 million in the quarter and $286 million for the year, and the net paid-to-incurred ratio was 88% for the quarter and 94% for the year.

 

    Net investment income for the quarter increased 8.5% to $566 million, primarily due to an increase in the invested asset base, an increase in private equity distributions and an increase in call activity in the company’s corporate bond portfolio.

 

    Net realized and unrealized losses pre-tax totaled $447 million for the quarter. Net realized losses of $110 million included a loss of $95 million from derivative accounting related to variable annuity reinsurance. Net unrealized losses of $337 million were primarily related to an increase in market yields on the company’s corporate bond portfolio.

 

    Operating return on equity was 12.6% for the quarter and 11.9% year to date. Return on equity computed using net income was 10.4% for both the quarter and year to date.

 

    Share repurchases totaled $450 million, or approximately 4.3 million shares, during the quarter. Since the inception of the November 2013 share repurchase authorization, the company has repurchased approximately 11.2 million shares for $1.1 billion through October 20, 2014.

 

    Book value per share increased 0.2% to $90.38 from $90.19 at June 30, 2014, and increased 6.5% from $84.83 at December 31, 2013. Realized and unrealized losses and unfavorable foreign currency movement negatively impacted book value per share in the quarter.

 

    Tangible book value per share increased 0.4% to $74.05 from $73.77 at June 30, 2014, and increased 7.4% from $68.93 at December 31, 2013.

Details of financial results by business segment are available in the ACE Limited Financial Supplement. Key segment items for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, include:

 

    Insurance – North American P&C: Net premiums written increased 2.7%. The combined ratio was 91.4% for the quarter compared with 88.3%. The combined ratio was 87.8% for the year compared with 87.2%. The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses for the quarter was 88.5% compared with 88.3%. The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses for the year was 87.6% compared with 87.8%. Unfavorable prior period development in the quarter of $11 million included $63 million of adverse development for legacy environmental liability exposures.

 

    Insurance – North American Agriculture: Net premiums written decreased 5.2%. The combined ratio was 89.5% for the quarter compared with 92.3%. The combined ratio was 93.6% for the year compared with 91.1%. The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses for the quarter was 89.6% compared with 93.3%. The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses for the year was 89.4% compared with 91.8%.

 

    Insurance – Overseas General: Net premiums written increased 9.4%. The combined ratio was 80.1% for the quarter compared with 82.2%. The combined ratio was 85.7% for the year compared with 86.9%. The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses for the quarter was 90.5% compared with 89.4%. The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses for the year was 90.1% compared with 90.2%. Favorable prior period development in the quarter of $219 million included $52 million of favorable development for an older liability case.

 

Page 4/10


    Global Reinsurance: Net premiums written decreased 21.2% for the quarter primarily due to the non-renewal of a large workers’ compensation treaty. The combined ratio was 70.2% for the quarter compared with 65.8%. The combined ratio was 71.1% for the year compared with 65.1%. The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses for the quarter was 75.7% compared with 71.0%. The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses for the year was 75.4% compared with 70.0%.

 

    Life: Operating income was $72 million compared with $75 million. Net premiums written and deposits collected, excluding life reinsurance, increased 14.5% on a constant-dollar basis.

Please refer to the ACE Limited Financial Supplement, dated September 30, 2014, which is posted on the company’s website in the Investor Information section, and access Financial Reports for more detailed information on individual segment performance, together with additional disclosure on reinsurance recoverable, loss reserves, investment portfolio and capital structure.

ACE will hold its third quarter earnings conference call on Wednesday, October 22, 2014, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. The earnings conference call will be available via live webcast at www.acegroup.com or by dialing 888-569-5033 (within the United States) or 719-325-2490 (international), passcode 8276801. Please refer to the ACE Group website in the Investor Information section under Calendar of Events for details. A replay of the call will be available until Wednesday, November 5, 2014, and the archived webcast will be available for approximately one month. To listen to the replay, please dial 888-203-1112 (in the United States) or 719-457-0820 (international), passcode 8276801.

ACE Group is one of the world’s largest multiline property and casualty insurers. With operations in 54 countries, ACE provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. ACE Limited, the parent company of ACE Group, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACE) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Additional information can be found at: www.acegroup.com.

 

Page 5/10


(1)  References to the year refer to the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
(2) All comparisons are with the same period last year unless specifically stated.

Regulation G – Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In presenting our results, we included and discussed certain non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures, which may be defined differently by other companies, are important for an understanding of our overall results of operations and financial condition. However, they should not be viewed as a substitute for measures determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

Adjusted net realized gains (losses), net of tax, includes net realized gains (losses) and net realized gains (losses) recorded in other income (expense) related to unconsolidated subsidiaries, and excludes realized gains and losses on crop derivatives. These derivatives were purchased to provide economic benefit, in a manner similar to reinsurance protection, in the event that a significant decline in commodity pricing will impact underwriting results. We view gains and losses on these derivatives as part of the results of our underwriting operations, and therefore realized gains and losses from these derivatives are reclassified to adjusted losses and loss expenses. The P&C combined ratio includes adjusted losses and loss expenses in the ratio numerator.

Net premiums written on a constant-dollar basis is a financial measure which excludes the impact of foreign exchange. We believe it is useful to evaluate the trends in net premiums written, exclusive of the effect of fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which our international business is transacted, as these exchange rates could fluctuate significantly between periods and distort the analysis of trends. The impact is determined by assuming constant foreign exchange rates between periods by translating prior period results using the same local currency exchange rates as the comparable current period.

Underwriting income, P&C underwriting income, and Global P&C underwriting income are calculated by subtracting losses and loss expenses, policy benefits, policy acquisition costs and administrative expenses from net premiums earned. P&C underwriting income also includes gains (losses) on crop derivatives. 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 adjusted net realized gains (losses). Current accident year underwriting income excluding catastrophe losses is underwriting income adjusted to exclude catastrophe losses and prior period development (PPD). We believe it is useful to exclude catastrophe losses, as they are not predictable as to timing and amount, and PPD as these unexpected loss developments on historical reserves are not indicative of our current underwriting performance. We believe the use of these measures enhances the understanding of our results of operations by highlighting the underlying profitability of our insurance business.

Operating income or income excluding adjusted net realized gains (losses), 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 adjusted net realized gains (losses) because the amount of these gains (losses) is heavily influenced by the availability of market opportunities.

P&C combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses and PPD or current accident year P&C combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses exclude impacts of catastrophe losses and PPD. We believe this measure provides a better evaluation of our core underwriting performance and enhances the understanding of the trends in our property and casualty business that may be obscured by these items.

Global P&C performance metrics comprise consolidated operating results (including corporate) and exclude the operating results of the company’s Life and Insurance – North American Agriculture segments. We believe that these measures are useful and meaningful to investors as they are used by management to assess the company’s global P&C operations which are the most economically similar. We exclude the Insurance – North American Agriculture and Life segments because the results of these businesses do not always correlate with the results of our global P&C operations.

Life net premiums written and deposits collected, excluding life reinsurance, is adjusted to include deposits collected on universal life and investment contracts (life deposits) and exclude results from our life reinsurance business. Life deposits are not reflected as revenues in our consolidated statements of operations in accordance with GAAP. We include life deposits in presenting growth in our Life business because new life deposits are an important component of production and key to our efforts to grow our business. We exclude results associated with life reinsurance as there is no new life reinsurance business currently being written.

Operating return on equity (ROE) or ROE calculated using operating income is an annualized financial measure. The ROE numerator includes income adjusted to exclude adjusted net realized gains (losses), net of tax. The ROE denominator includes the average shareholders’ equity for the period adjusted to exclude unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax. To annualize a quarterly rate, multiply by four. Annualized ROE calculated using operating income is a useful measure as it enhances the understanding of the return on shareholders’ equity by highlighting the underlying profitability relative to shareholders’ equity excluding the effect of unrealized gains and losses on our investments.

Tangible book value per common share is shareholders’ equity less goodwill and other intangible assets divided by the shares outstanding. We believe that goodwill and other intangible assets are not indicative of our underlying insurance results or trends and make book value comparisons to less acquisitive peer companies less meaningful.

 

Page 6/10


Other income (expense) – operating excludes from consolidated Other income (expense) the portion of net realized gains and losses related to unconsolidated entities and gains and losses from fair value changes in separate account assets that do not qualify for separate account reporting under GAAP. Net realized gains (losses) related to unconsolidated entities is excluded from operating income in order to enhance the understanding of our core results of operations as they are heavily influenced by, and fluctuate in part according to market conditions.

See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on pages 21-23 in the Financial Supplement. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for net income, return on equity, or effective tax rate determined in accordance with GAAP.

NM – not meaningful comparison

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Forward-looking statements made in this press release, such as those related to company performance including 2014 performance and growth opportunities, and our pending acquisition of the large corporate P&C business of Itaú Unibanco S.A., reflect our 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 that could cause actual results to differ materially, including without limitation, the following: competition, pricing and policy term trends, the levels of new and renewal business achieved, the frequency of unpredictable catastrophic events, actual loss experience, uncertainties in the reserving or settlement process, integration activities and performance of acquired companies, 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, rating agency action, possible terrorism or the outbreak and effects of war, economic, political, regulatory, insurance and reinsurance business conditions, potential strategic opportunities including acquisitions and our ability to achieve and integrate them, as well as management’s response to these factors, and other factors identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given uncertainties, it is possible the closing of the above-referenced acquisition could also be delayed or not occur. 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. We undertake 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)

 

Page 7/10


ACE Limited

Summary Consolidated Balance Sheets

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

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30
2014
     December 31
2013
 

Assets

     

Investments

   $ 63,254       $ 60,928   

Cash

     806         579   

Insurance and reinsurance balances receivable

     5,189         5,026   

Reinsurance recoverable on losses and loss expenses

     10,945         11,227   

Other assets

     17,363         16,750   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 97,557       $ 94,510   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

     

Unpaid losses and loss expenses

   $ 37,447       $ 37,443   

Unearned premiums

     8,020         7,539   

Other liabilities

     22,073         20,703   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 67,540       $ 65,685   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

     

Total shareholders’ equity

     30,017         28,825   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 97,557       $ 94,510   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Book value per common share

   $ 90.38       $ 84.83   

 

Page 8/10


ACE Limited

Summary Consolidated Financial Data

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

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30     September 30  
     2014     2013     2014     2013  

Gross premiums written

   $ 6,264      $ 6,373      $ 17,644      $ 17,366   

Net premiums written

     4,729        4,620        13,473        12,809   

Net premiums earned

     4,754        4,610        13,056        12,250   

Losses and loss expenses

     2,684        2,655        7,233        6,831   

Policy benefits

     125        138        383        379   

Policy acquisition costs

     825        678        2,311        1,957   

Administrative expenses

     554        563        1,655        1,641   

Net investment income

     566        522        1,675        1,587   

Net realized gains (losses)

     (120     40        (297     350   

Interest expense

     70        72        213        205   

Other income (expense):

        

Gains (losses) from separate account assets

     (6     14        5        7   

Other

     25        (9     56        (29

Income tax expense

     176        155        402        392   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 785      $ 916      $ 2,298      $ 2,760   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

        

Operating income

   $ 2.64      $ 2.49      $ 7.32      $ 6.95   

Net income

   $ 2.32      $ 2.66      $ 6.75      $ 8.02   

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

     337.7        343.8        340.4        344.1   

P&C combined ratio

        

Loss and loss expense ratio

     58.5     60.7     58.1     59.0

Policy acquisition cost ratio

     16.5     14.3     16.9     15.7

Administrative expense ratio

     11.3     11.5     12.5     12.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

P&C combined ratio

     86.3     86.5     87.5     87.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

P&C underwriting income

   $ 586      $ 558      $ 1,454      $ 1,356   

Other income (expense) – operating

   $ (30   $ (31   $ (86   $ (96

 

Page 9/10


ACE Limited

Consolidated Supplemental Segment Information

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30     September 30  
     2014     2013     2014     2013  

Gross Premiums Written

        

Insurance – North American P&C

   $ 2,126      $ 2,135      $ 6,497      $ 6,281   

Insurance – North American Agriculture

     1,241        1,446        2,076        2,444   

Insurance – Overseas General

     2,156        2,018        6,641        6,188   

Global Reinsurance

     213        264        854        903   

Life

     528        510        1,576        1,550   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 6,264      $ 6,373      $ 17,644      $ 17,366   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Premiums Written

        

Insurance – North American P&C

   $ 1,541      $ 1,500      $ 4,594      $ 4,313   

Insurance – North American Agriculture

     764        805        1,346        1,371   

Insurance – Overseas General

     1,719        1,571        5,250        4,821   

Global Reinsurance

     208        265        794        836   

Life

     497        479        1,489        1,468   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 4,729      $ 4,620      $ 13,473      $ 12,809   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Premiums Earned

        

Insurance – North American P&C

   $ 1,518      $ 1,444      $ 4,547      $ 4,210   

Insurance – North American Agriculture

     766        849        1,199        1,252   

Insurance – Overseas General

     1,726        1,611        5,047        4,633   

Global Reinsurance

     255        239        800        731   

Life

     489        467        1,463        1,424   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 4,754      $ 4,610      $ 13,056      $ 12,250   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Income (loss)

        

Insurance – North American P&C

   $ 337      $ 342      $ 1,126      $ 1,044   

Insurance – North American Agriculture

     57        50        51        83   

Insurance – Overseas General

     348        320        869        815   

Global Reinsurance

     145        131        435        431   

Life

     72        75        221        221   

Corporate

     (68     (61     (209     (201
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 891      $ 857      $ 2,493      $ 2,393   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Page 10/10