• Conifer Holdings Reports 2021 Second Quarter Financial Results

    المصدر: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 11 أغسطس 2021 16:01:00   America/New_York

    BIRMINGHAM, Mich., Aug. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Conifer Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNFR) (“Conifer” or the “Company”) today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

    Second Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights (compared to the prior year period)

    • Gross written premium increased 27.0% to $35.0 million
    • Commercial Lines gross written premium increased 20.9% to $30.9 million
    • Personal Lines gross written premium increased 107.4% to $4.0 million
    • Other gains were $8.9 million, which consisted of the sale of certain agency business within its wholly owned Sycamore Insurance Agency, Inc. (“Sycamore”) as described below
    • Net income of $5.6 million, or $0.57 per share, based on 9.7 million average shares outstanding
    • Book value per share of $4.53 as of June 30, 2021

    James Petcoff, Chairman and CEO, commented, “We were pleased to report strong premium growth in the quarter and in the first half of 2021, produced through both expansion in our niche commercial markets as well as an improving rate environment. We continued to see challenges in development from prior years, but feel that our improved business mix over the last several years should help alleviate development as we continue to push rate and transition our business away from certain geographic regions. In addition to our growth in the quarter, our on-going expense reduction efforts generated our lowest recorded expense ratio in six years. Our goal remains to drive profitable top line growth which, coupled with efficiencies throughout our organization, we feel will lead to a consistently improving bottom line over time.”

    2021 Second Quarter Financial Results Overview

     At and for the
    Three Months Ended June 30,
     At and for the
    Six Months Ended June 30,
      2021   2020  % Change  2021   2020  % Change
     (dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                
    Gross written premiums$34,981  $27,545  27.0% $65,354  $52,629  24.2%
    Net written premiums 28,532   23,065  23.7%  53,015   44,116  20.2%
    Net earned premiums 24,838   21,758  14.2%  47,673   43,775  8.9%
                
    Net investment income 503   863  -41.7%  1,035   1,817  -43.0%
    Net realized investment gains 1,060   245  **  3,984   1,173  **
    Change in fair value of equity investments (525)  1,576  **  (1,065)  (1,510)  
    Other gains 8,910   145  **  8,910   260  **
                
    Net income (loss) 5,552   1,505  **  916   (3,220) **
    Net income (loss) per share, diluted$0.57  $0.16    $0.09  $(0.34)  
                
    Adjusted operating income (loss)* (3,893)  (461) **  (10,913)  (3,143) **
    Adjusted operating income (loss) per share, diluted*$(0.40) $(0.04) ** $(1.13) $(0.33) **
                
    Book value per common share outstanding$4.53  $4.51    $4.53  $4.51   
                
    Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted 9,686,631   9,595,668     9,684,193   9,594,221   
                
    Underwriting ratios:           
    Loss ratio (1) 71.9%  54.6%    77.9%  59.6%  
    Expense ratio (2) 41.3%  45.9%    42.9%  46.5%  
    Combined ratio (3) 113.2%  100.5%    120.8%  106.1%  
                
    * The "Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures" section of this release defines and reconciles data that are not based on generally accepted accounting principles.
    ** Percentage is not meaningful           
    (1) The loss ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of net losses and loss adjustment expenses to net earned premiums and other income from underwriting operations.
    (2) The expense ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to net earned premiums and other income from underwriting operations.
    (3) The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. A combined ratio over 100% indicates an underwriting loss.
                

    2021 Second Quarter Premiums

    Gross Written Premiums

    Gross written premiums increased 27.0% in the second quarter of 2021 to $35.0 million, compared to $27.5 million in the prior year period. The increase was the result of growth in both Commercial and Personal Lines business as general economic and business conditions began to improve following pandemic-related softness.

    Net Earned Premiums
    Net earned premiums increased 14.2% to $24.8 million for the second quarter of 2021, compared to $21.8 million for the prior year period. The Company expects net earned premiums to increase throughout 2021 as the gross written premium growth achieved in the second half of 2020 continues to be earned ratably through the year.

    Commercial Lines Financial and Operational Review 

    Commercial Lines Financial Review
     
     Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
     2021 2020 % Change 2021 2020 % Change
     (dollars in thousands)
                
    Gross written premiums$30,947  $25,600  20.9% $58,168  $49,044  18.6%
    Net written premiums 24,672   21,377  15.4%  46,229   41,064  12.6%
    Net earned premiums 22,188   20,105  10.4%  42,894   40,536  5.8%
                
    Underwriting ratios:           
    Loss ratio 76.2%  55.9%    78.8%  60.8%  
    Expense ratio 41.2%  45.8%    42.9%  46.5%  
    Combined ratio 117.4%  101.7%    121.7%  107.3%  
                
    Contribution to combined ratio from net           
    (favorable) adverse prior year development 27.8%  15.2%    26.4%  16.6%  
                
    Accident year combined ratio (1) 89.6%  86.5%    95.3%  90.7%  
                
    (1) The accident year combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio, less changes in net ultimate loss estimates from prior accident year loss reserves. The accident year combined ratio provides management with an assessment of the specific policy year's profitability and assists management in their evaluation of product pricing levels and quality of business written.
                

    The Company’s commercial lines of business, representing 88.5% of total gross written premium in the second quarter of 2021, primarily consists of property and liability coverage offered to owner-operated small- to mid-sized businesses.

    Commercial lines gross written premium increased 20.9% in the second quarter of 2021 to $30.9 million, as the Company continues to emphasize growth of its specialty lines business.

    The Commercial lines combined ratio was 117.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 101.7% in the prior year period.   The loss ratio was 76.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared with 55.9% in the prior year period while the expense ratio was 41.2% in the current year period, compared with 45.8% during the prior year period.

    Commercial lines accident year combined ratio was 89.6% for the quarter.

    Personal Lines Financial and Operational Review

                
    Personal Lines Financial Review
     
     Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
     2021 2020 % Change 2021 2020 % Change
     (dollars in thousands)
                
    Gross written premiums$4,034  $1,945  107.4% $7,186  $3,585  100.4%
    Net written premiums 3,860   1,688  128.7%  6,786   3,052  122.3%
    Net earned premiums 2,650   1,653  60.3%  4,779   3,239  47.5%
                
    Underwriting ratios:           
    Loss ratio 36.6%  39.6%    69.8%  44.6%  
    Expense ratio 42.0%  46.1%    42.8%  46.6%  
    Combined ratio 78.6%  85.7%    112.6%  91.2%  
                
    Contribution to combined ratio from net           
    (favorable) adverse prior year development 0.9%  (1.2)%    13.1%  1.4%  
                
    Accident year combined ratio 77.7%  86.9%    99.5%  89.8%  
                

    Personal lines, representing 11.5% of total gross written premium for the second quarter of 2021, consists largely of low-value dwelling homeowner’s insurance.

    Personal lines gross written premium increased 107.4% to $4.0 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the prior year period, led by growth in the Company’s low-value dwelling line of business in Texas.

    Personal lines combined ratio was 78.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 85.7% in the prior year period. Personal lines loss ratio improved to 36.6%, compared to 39.6% in the prior year period.

    The personal lines accident year combined ratio was 77.7% for the quarter.

    Sale of New and Renewal Rights of Sycamore Insurance Agency, Inc.

    Details of Transaction

    Sycamore, a wholly owned subsidiary of Conifer, is a managing general agent and wholesale broker that underwrites and distributes various property and casualty insurance products for Conifer Holdings and various other insurance markets.

    On June 30, 2021, Sycamore Insurance Agency sold to Venture Holdings, Inc. select customer accounts and other related assets of some of its personal and commercial lines of business. Sycamore will continue to produce various personal and commercial lines that it did not sell; lines which are substantially all produced for, and underwritten by, Conifer’s Insurance Company Subsidiaries. Conifer recognized an $8.9 million gain on the sale.

    The assets sold included the customer accounts of substantially all of the personal lines business and a small subset of the commercial lines business underwritten by our Insurance Company Subsidiaries, and all of the customer accounts Sycamore produced for third-party insurers. The business will roll over to Venture as it produces new or renewal business effective July 1, 2021.

    We expect our Insurance Company Subsidiaries will continue to underwrite substantially all of the business we sold to Venture (that we underwrote prior to the transaction). And we expect Venture to be able to grow both the business we underwrite, plus the third-party business more effectively as a separate entity outside of CHI’s group. As of June 30, 2021, we had a non-controlling 50% interest in Venture.

    Combined Ratio Analysis

     Three Months Ended
    June 30,
    Six Months Ended
    June 30,
     2021 2020 2021 2020
     (dollars in thousands)
            
    Underwriting ratios:       
    Loss ratio71.9% 54.6% 77.9% 59.6%
    Expense ratio41.3% 45.9% 42.9% 46.5%
    Combined ratio113.2% 100.5% 120.8% 106.1%
            
    Contribution to combined ratio from net (favorable)       
    adverse prior year development24.9% 13.9% 25.0% 15.4%
            
    Accident year combined ratio88.3% 86.6% 95.8% 90.7%
            

    Combined Ratio
    The Company's combined ratio was 113.2% for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, compared to 100.5% for the same period in 2020. The Company’s accident year combined ratio for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 was 88.3%, compared to 86.6% in the prior year period.

    Loss Ratio:
    The Company’s losses and loss adjustment expenses were $17.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $11.9 million in the prior year period. This resulted in a loss ratio of 71.9%, compared to 54.6% in the prior year period.

    Expense Ratio:
    The expense ratio was 41.3% for the second quarter of 2021, compared to 45.9% in the prior year period.

    Net Investment Income
    Net investment income was $503,000 during the quarter ended June 30, 2021, compared to $863,000 in the prior year period.

    Net Realized Investment Gains
    Net realized investment gains during the second quarter were $1.1 million, compared to net realized investment gains of $245,000 in the prior year period.

    Change in Fair Value of Equity Securities
    During the quarter, the Company reported a loss from the change in fair value of equity investments of $525,000, compared to a gain of $1.6 million in the prior year period.

    Net Income (Loss)
    In the second quarter of 2021, the Company reported net income of $5.6 million, or $0.57 per share, compared to net income of $1.5 million, or $0.16 per share, in the prior year period.

    Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)
    In the second quarter of 2021, the Company reported an adjusted operating loss of $3.9 million, or $0.40 per share, compared to an adjusted operating loss of $461,000, or $0.04 per share, for the same period in 2020. See Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures.

    Earnings Conference Call with Accompanying Slide Presentation
    The Company will hold a conference call/webcast on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

    Investors, analysts, employees and the general public are invited to listen to the conference call via:

     Webcast: On the Event Calendar at IR.CNFRH.com
     Conference Call: 844-868-8843 (domestic) or 412-317-6589 (international)

    The webcast will be archived on the Conifer Holdings website and available for replay for at least one year.

    About the Company
    Conifer Holdings, Inc. is an insurance holding company, offering customized coverage solutions tailored to the needs of our specialty insureds. Nationwide, Conifer markets largely through independent agents, and is traded on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol “CNFR”. Additional information is available on the Company’s website at www.CNFRH.com.

    Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures
    Conifer prepares its public financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Statutory data is prepared in accordance with statutory accounting rules as defined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, and therefore is not reconciled to GAAP data.

    We believe that investors’ understanding of Conifer’s performance is enhanced by our disclosure of adjusted operating income. Our method for calculating this measure may differ from that used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. We define adjusted operating income (loss), a non-GAAP measure, as net income (loss) excluding after-tax net realized investment gains and losses, excluding the tax effect of changes in unrealized gains and losses, excluding the after-tax change in fair value of equity securities. We use adjusted operating income as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives our management and other users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance.

    Reconciliations of adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income per share:

     Three Months Ended
    June 30,
     Six Months Ended
    June 30,
      2021   2020   2021   2020 
      
     (dollar in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
            
    Net income (loss)$5,552  $1,505  $916  $(3,220)
    Less:       
    Net realized investment gains and other gains, net of tax 9,970   390   12,894   1,433 
    Change in fair value of equity securities, net of tax (525)  1,576   (1,065)  (1,510)
    Adjusted operating income (loss)$(3,893) $(461) $(10,913) $(3,143)
            
    Weighted average common shares, diluted 9,686,631   9,595,668   9,684,193   9,594,221 
            
    Diluted income (loss) per common share:       
    Net income (loss)$0.57  $0.16  $0.09  $(0.34)
    Less:       
    Net realized investment gains and other gains, net of tax 1.03   0.04   1.33   0.15 
    Change in fair value of equity securities, net of tax (0.06)  0.16   (0.11)  (0.16)
    Adjusted operating income (loss), per share$(0.40) $(0.04) $(1.13) $(0.33)
            

    Forward-Looking Statement
    This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events or our future financial or operating performance, and include Conifer’s expectations regarding premiums, earnings, its capital position, expansion, and growth strategies. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management’s good-faith belief and reasonable judgment based on current information. The forward-looking statements are qualified by important factors, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including those described in our form 10-K (“Item 1A Risk Factors”) filed with the SEC on March 12, 2020 and subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this report speaks only as of the date hereof or as of the date specified herein. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable laws or regulations.

         
    Conifer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (dollars in thousands)
         
      June 30, December 31,
       2021   2020 
    Assets (Unaudited)  
    Investment securities:    
    Debt securities, at fair value (amortized cost of $148,699 and $149,954, respectively) $149,188  $151,999 
    Equity securities, at fair value (cost of $20,080 and $16,912, respectively) 19,994   17,891 
    Short-term investments, at fair value  11,435   13,317 
    Total investments  180,617   183,207 
         
    Cash and cash equivalents  4,668   8,193 
    Premiums and agents' balances receivable, net  22,887   20,162 
    Receivable from Affiliate  9,002   8 
    Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses  22,824   24,218 
    Reinsurance recoverables on paid losses  3,269   2,138 
    Prepaid reinsurance premiums  4,964   1,316 
    Deferred policy acquisition costs  13,121   12,243 
    Other assets  8,383   10,112 
    Total assets $269,735  $261,597 
         
    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity    
    Liabilities:    
    Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses $117,852  $111,270 
    Unearned premiums  63,103   56,224 
    Debt  37,153   40,997 
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses  7,743   8,693 
    Total liabilities  225,851   217,184 
         
    Commitments and contingencies  -   - 
         
    Shareholders' equity:    
    Common stock, no par value (100,000,000 shares authorized; 9,689,421 and 9,681,728 issued and outstanding, respectively)  92,612   92,486 
    Accumulated deficit  (48,069)  (48,985)
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  (659)  912 
    Total shareholders' equity   43,884   44,413 
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $269,735  $261,597 
         



    Conifer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
    (dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
             
      Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
      June 30, June 30,
       2021   2020   2021   2020 
             
    Revenue and Other Income        
    Premiums        
    Gross earned premiums $30,228  $25,959  $58,475  $52,012 
    Ceded earned premiums  (5,390)  (4,201)  (10,802)  (8,237)
    Net earned premiums  24,838   21,758   47,673   43,775 
    Net investment income  503   863   1,035   1,817 
    Net realized investment gains  1,060   245   3,984   1,173 
    Change in fair value of equity securities  (525)  1,576   (1,065)  (1,510)
    Other gains  8,910   145   8,910   260 
    Other income  666   713   1,222   1,371 
    Total revenue and other income  35,452   25,300   61,759   46,886 
             
    Expenses        
    Losses and loss adjustment expenses, net  17,926   11,945   37,288   26,214 
    Policy acquisition costs  6,896   6,395   13,646   12,698 
    Operating expenses  4,342   4,859   8,691   9,904 
    Interest expense  732   731   1,453   1,462 
    Total expenses  29,896   23,930   61,078   50,278 
             
    Income (loss) before equity earnings in Affiliate and income taxes  5,556   1,370   681   (3,392)
    Equity earnings in Affiliate, net of tax  180   179   428   229 
    Income tax expense  184   44   193   57 
    Net income (loss)  5,552   1,505   916   (3,220)
             
    Earnings (loss) per common share,        
    basic and diluted $0.57  $0.16  $0.09  $(0.34)
             
    Weighted average common shares outstanding,        
    basic and diluted  9,686,631   9,595,668   9,684,193   9,594,221 
             

    For Further Information:
    Jessica Gulis, 248.559.0840
    ir@cnfrh.com


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