• Donegal Group Inc. Announces First Quarter 2021 Results

    ソース: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 26 4 2021 15:05:01   America/Chicago

    MARIETTA, Pa., April 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Donegal Group Inc. (NASDAQ: DGICA) and (NASDAQ: DGICB) today reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2021.

    Highlights for First Quarter of 2021 (all comparisons to first quarter of 2020):

    • Net income of $10.5 million, or 35 cents per diluted Class A share, compared to $3.7 million, or 13 cents per diluted Class A share
    • Net premiums earned of $187.3 million, virtually unchanged
    • Net premiums written1 increased 8.9% to $215.9 million
    • Combined ratio of 98.5%, compared to 97.0%
    • Net income included after-tax net investment gains of $2.0 million, or 6 cents per diluted Class A share, compared to net investment losses of $8.4 million, or 29 cents per diluted Class A share
    • Annualized return on average equity of 8.0%, compared to 3.3%
    • Book value per share of $17.29 at March 31, 2021, compared to $15.92

    Summary of First Quarter Results

          
     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2021 2020 % Change
      
     (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
          
    Income Statement Data     
    Net premiums earned$187,252  $187,253  -0.0%
    Investment income, net 7,511   7,376  1.8 
    Net investment gains (losses) 2,469   (10,695) NM2
    Total revenues 197,970   184,911  7.1 
    Net income 10,530   3,731  182.2 
    Non-GAAP operating income1 8,579   12,341  -30.5 
    Annualized return on average equity 8.0%  3.3% 4.7 pts
          
    Per Share Data     
    Net income – Class A (diluted)$0.35  $0.13  169.2%
    Net income – Class B 0.32   0.12  166.7 
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class A (diluted) 0.29   0.43  -32.6 
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class B 0.26   0.40  -35.0 
    Book value 17.29   15.92  8.6 
          

    1The “Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release defines data that the Company prepares on an accounting basis other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and reconciles such data to GAAP measures.

    2Not meaningful.

    Management Commentary

    Overview

    Kevin G. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc., noted, “Donegal Group achieved solid first quarter results despite elevated fire losses that primarily impacted the loss ratio for our commercial multi-peril line of business. We achieved significant increases in net income, earnings per share and annualized return on average equity, which included a mark-to-market shift from a substantial net investment loss for the prior-year quarter to a net investment gain on equity securities we held at March 31, 2021. We continued to execute our strategy of promoting our strong regional market presence, and we remain focused on bottom-line performance.”

    Mr. Burke continued, “Donegal Group achieved net premiums written growth of 8.9% during the first quarter of 2021, with 18.7% growth in our commercial lines business segment, compared to the prior-year quarter. We began to include commercial premiums from four Southwestern states in our consolidated revenues for 2021. As we announced previously, Atlantic States Insurance Company, our insurance subsidiary, began to receive an 80% allocation of the underwriting results of the Mountain States Insurance Group, which became part of the Donegal Insurance Group through a Donegal Mutual Insurance Company acquisition in 2017. In addition, we benefitted from a combination of commercial market share gains as well as renewal premium increases due to a favorable rate environment. We have continued to emphasize profitability over growth in our personal lines segment, but we look forward to launching new personal lines products beginning in the second half of 2021 that we believe will provide us increased opportunities to obtain profitable new business in that segment.”

    Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Donegal Group Inc., commented on the first quarter results, “Our insurance subsidiaries achieved a combined ratio of 98.5% for the first quarter of 2021, reflecting a 1.5 percentage point increase over the combined ratio for the prior-year quarter. While below-average weather-related losses were comparable to the prior period, higher-than-normal large fire losses adversely impacted our commercial multi-peril results. We attribute the increase in commercial fires primarily to additional stress placed on heating and electrical systems during cold weather conditions during the quarter. We were pleased that our insurance subsidiaries experienced favorable prior-year loss reserve development in all lines of business for the first quarter of 2021. The expense ratio was slightly elevated due primarily to commercial lines growth incentives and anticipated underwriting-based incentives for our agents. Our expense ratio also reflected the amortization of certain costs related to various technology enhancements, including the replacement of our remaining legacy systems, that will support additional growth opportunities and enhance our ability to make advancements in underwriting, data analytics and operational capabilities over the next few years.”

    Mr. Burke concluded, “Donegal Group remains committed to expanding market share within our regional markets, adhering to sound underwriting discipline and working closely with our independent agents to deliver best-in-class customer service. We believe that this strategy will help us to enhance our profitability and grow our book value over time. Our net income, partially offset by unrealized losses within our available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio due to an increase in market interest rates during the first quarter of 2021, contributed to an increase in our book value to $17.29 at March 31, 2021, compared to $17.13 at December 31, 2020.”

    Insurance Operations

    Donegal Group is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer personal and commercial property and casualty lines of insurance in three Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania), three New England states (Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont), six Southern states (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia), eight Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin) and four Southwestern states (Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Utah). Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group.

          
     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2021 2020 % Change
      
     (dollars in thousands)
          
    Net Premiums Earned     
    Commercial lines$109,226 $101,775 7.3%
    Personal lines 78,026  85,478 -8.7 
    Total net premiums earned$187,252 $187,253 -0.0%
          
    Net Premiums Written     
    Commercial lines:     
    Automobile$47,239 $38,393 23.0%
    Workers' compensation 34,941  34,169 2.3 
    Commercial multi-peril 51,803  40,427 28.1 
    Other 10,451  8,710 20.0 
    Total commercial lines 144,434  121,699 18.7 
    Personal lines:     
    Automobile 43,007  47,768 -10.0 
    Homeowners 22,688  23,777 -4.6 
    Other 5,733  4,993 14.8 
    Total personal lines 71,428  76,538 -6.7 
    Total net premiums written$215,862 $198,237 8.9%
          

    Net Premiums Written

    The 8.9% increase in net premiums written for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020, as shown in the table above, represents 18.7% growth in commercial lines net premiums written, partially offset by a 6.7% decline in personal lines net premiums written. The $17.6 million increase in net premiums written for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020 included:

    • Commercial Lines: $22.7 million increase that we attribute primarily to the inclusion of $13.4 million of business Donegal Mutual and its subsidiaries wrote in four Southwestern states in the pooling agreement with Atlantic States Insurance Company (our largest insurance subsidiary) effective January 1, 2021, new commercial accounts our insurance subsidiaries wrote throughout their operating regions and a continuation of renewal premium increases.
    • Personal Lines: $5.1 million decline that we attribute to net attrition as a result of underwriting measures our insurance subsidiaries implemented to slow new policy growth and to increase pricing on renewal policies, partially offset by premium rate increases our insurance subsidiaries have implemented over the past four quarters.

    Underwriting Performance

    We evaluate the performance of our commercial lines and personal lines segments primarily based upon the underwriting results of our insurance subsidiaries as determined under statutory accounting practices. The following table presents comparative details with respect to the GAAP and statutory combined ratios1 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

        
     Three Months Ended
     March 31,
     2021 2020
        
    GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines)   
    Loss ratio (non-weather)60.0% 58.9%
    Loss ratio (weather-related)3.7  3.7 
    Expense ratio34.1  33.4 
    Dividend ratio0.7  1.0 
    Combined ratio98.5% 97.0%
        
    Statutory Combined Ratios   
    Commercial lines:   
    Automobile102.3% 117.4%
    Workers' compensation95.4  90.1 
    Commercial multi-peril107.7  89.1 
    Other60.1  64.2 
    Total commercial lines99.3  96.0 
    Personal lines:   
    Automobile93.4  100.0 
    Homeowners94.7  90.7 
    Other76.9  66.5 
    Total personal lines92.6  94.7 
    Total lines96.5% 95.4%
        

    Loss Ratio

    For the first quarter of 2021, the loss ratio increased to 63.7%, compared to 62.6% for the first quarter of 2020. Weather-related losses of $6.8 million for the first quarter of 2021 were comparable to $6.9 million for the first quarter of 2020, or 3.7 percentage points of the loss ratio for both quarterly periods. Weather-related loss activity for the first quarter of 2021 was lower than our previous five-year average of $10.3 million for first-quarter weather-related losses.

    Large fire losses, which we define as individual fire losses in excess of $50,000, for the first quarter of 2021 were $10.3 million, or 5.5 percentage points of the loss ratio. That amount was higher than the large fire losses of $6.3 million, or 3.4 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the first quarter of 2020. Commercial property fires accounted for the increase compared to the prior-year quarter.

    Net development of reserves for losses incurred in prior accident years of $8.2 million decreased the loss ratio for the first quarter of 2021 by 4.4 percentage points, compared to $4.3 million that decreased the loss ratio for the first quarter of 2020 by 2.3 percentage points. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced modest favorable development in all lines of business in the first quarter of 2021.

    Expense Ratio

    The expense ratio was 34.1% for the first quarter of 2021, compared to 33.4% for the first quarter of 2020. The increase in the expense ratio reflected higher agency growth incentive and underwriting-based incentive costs for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the prior-year quarter.

    Investment Operations

    Donegal Group’s investment strategy is to generate an appropriate amount of after-tax income on its invested assets while minimizing credit risk through investment in high-quality securities. As a result, we had invested 92.5% of our consolidated investment portfolio in diversified, highly rated and marketable fixed-maturity securities at March 31, 2021.

             
     March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 
     Amount % Amount % 
       
     (dollars in thousands) 
    Fixed maturities, at carrying value:        
    U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.       
        government corporations and agencies$98,168  8.2% $125,250  10.3% 
    Obligations of states and political subdivisions 401,493  33.4   381,284  31.2  
        Corporate securities 383,201  31.9   385,978  31.6  
        Mortgage-backed securities 228,278  19.0   249,233  20.4  
    Total fixed maturities 1,111,140  92.5   1,141,745  93.5  
    Equity securities, at fair value 68,640  5.7   58,556  4.8  
    Short-term investments, at cost 21,098  1.8   20,900  1.7  
    Total investments$1,200,878  100.0% $1,221,201  100.0% 
             
    Average investment yield 2.5%    2.5%   
    Average tax-equivalent investment yield 2.6%    2.7%   
    Average fixed-maturity duration (years) 4.8     4.2    
             

    Total fixed-maturity investments at March 31, 2021 decreased by $30.6 million from the year-end 2020 balance, primarily reflecting the March 2021 repayment of $50.0 million in contingent liquidity funding that Atlantic States Insurance Company, our largest insurance subsidiary, had obtained from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh in March 2020 for added security in light of uncertainty surrounding the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Net investment income of $7.5 million for the first quarter of 2021 increased 1.8% compared to $7.4 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase in net investment income reflected primarily an increase in average invested assets relative to the prior-year first quarter.

    Net investment gains of $2.5 million for the first quarter of 2021 were primarily related to unrealized gains in the fair value of equity securities held at March 31, 2021. Net investment losses of $10.7 million for the first quarter of 2020 were primarily related to unrealized losses in the fair value of equity securities held at March 31, 2020.

    Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    We prepare our consolidated financial statements on the basis of GAAP. Our insurance subsidiaries also prepare financial statements based on statutory accounting principles state insurance regulators prescribe or permit (“SAP”). In addition to using GAAP-based performance measurements, we also utilize certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide value in managing our business and for comparison to the financial results of our peers. These non-GAAP measures are net premiums written, operating income or loss and statutory combined ratio.

    Net premiums written and operating income or loss are non-GAAP financial measures investors in insurance companies commonly use. We define net premiums written as the amount of full-term premiums our insurance subsidiaries record for policies effective within a given period less premiums our insurance subsidiaries cede to reinsurers. We define operating income or loss as net income or loss excluding after-tax net investment gains or losses, after-tax restructuring charges and other significant non-recurring items. Because our calculation of operating income or loss may differ from similar measures other companies use, investors should exercise caution when comparing our measure of operating income or loss to the measure of other companies.

    The following table provides a reconciliation of net premiums earned to net premiums written for the periods indicated:

          
     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2021 2020 % Change
      
     (dollars in thousands)
          
    Reconciliation of Net Premiums     
    Earned to Net Premiums Written     
    Net premiums earned$187,252 $187,253 -0.0%
    Change in net unearned premiums 28,610  10,984 160.5 
    Net premiums written$215,862 $198,237 8.9%
          
          

    The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to operating income for the periods indicated:

          
     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2021 2020 % Change
      
     (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
          
    Reconciliation of Net Income     
    to Non-GAAP Operating Income     
    Net income$10,530  $3,731 182.2%
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax) (1,951)  8,449 NM 
    Other, net -   161 -100.0 
    Non-GAAP operating income$8,579  $12,341 -30.5%
          
    Per Share Reconciliation of Net Income     
    to Non-GAAP Operating Income     
    Net income – Class A (diluted)$0.35  $0.13 169.2%
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax) (0.06)  0.29 NM 
    Other, net -   0.01 -100.0 
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class A$0.29  $0.43 -32.6%
          
    Net income – Class B$0.32  $0.12 166.7%
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax) (0.06)  0.27 NM 
    Other, net -   0.01 -100.0 
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class B$0.26  $0.40 -35.0%
          

    The statutory combined ratio is a non-GAAP standard measurement of underwriting profitability that is based upon amounts determined under SAP. The statutory combined ratio is the sum of:

    • the statutory loss ratio, which is the ratio of calendar-year incurred losses and loss expenses, excluding anticipated salvage and subrogation recoveries, to premiums earned;
    • the statutory expense ratio, which is the ratio of expenses incurred for net commissions, premium taxes and underwriting expenses to premiums written; and
    • the statutory dividend ratio, which is the ratio of dividends to holders of workers’ compensation policies to premiums earned.

    The statutory combined ratio does not reflect investment income, federal income taxes or other non-operating income or expense. A statutory combined ratio of less than 100% generally indicates underwriting profitability.

    Dividend Information

    On April 15, 2021, we declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share for our Class A common stock and $0.1425 per share for our Class B common stock, which is payable on May 17, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 3, 2021.

    Conference Call and Webcast

    We will hold a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, beginning at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time. You may listen to the webcast of this conference call by accessing the webcast link on our website at http://investors.donegalgroup.com. A supplemental investor presentation and a replay of the conference call will also be available via our website.

    About Donegal Group Inc.

    Donegal Group Inc. is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer property and casualty lines of insurance in certain Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, New England, Southern and Southwestern states. Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group Inc. conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group. The Donegal Insurance Group has an A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent).

    The Class A common stock and Class B common stock of Donegal Group Inc. trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols DGICA and DGICB, respectively. We are focused on several primary strategies, including achieving sustained excellent financial performance, strategically modernizing our operations and processes to transform our business, capitalizing on opportunities to grow profitably and delivering a superior experience to our agents and customers.

    Safe Harbor

    We base all statements contained in this release that are not historic facts on our current expectations. These statements are forward-looking in nature (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially include: our ability to attract new business, retain existing business and collect balances due to us as a result of the prolonged economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse and catastrophic weather events, our ability to maintain profitable operations, the adequacy of the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries, business and economic conditions in the areas in which our insurance subsidiaries operate, interest rates, the availability and cost of labor and materials, competition from various insurance and other financial businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, legal and judicial developments including those related to COVID-19 business interruption coverage and exclusions, changes in regulatory requirements and other risks we describe in the periodic reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that we may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

    For Further Information:

    Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
    Phone: (717) 426-1931
    E-mail: investors@donegalgroup.com

    Adam Prior, Senior Vice President, The Equity Group Inc.

    Phone: (212) 836-9606
    E-mail: aprior@equityny.com


    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
          
       Quarter Ended March 31,
       2021 2020
          
    Net premiums earned$187,252 $187,253 
    Investment income, net of expenses 7,511  7,376 
    Net investment gains (losses) 2,469  (10,695)
    Lease income 107  109 
    Installment payment fees 631  868 
     Total revenues 197,970  184,911 
          
    Net losses and loss expenses 119,220  117,247 
    Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 30,179  29,937 
    Other underwriting expenses 33,782  32,598 
    Policyholder dividends 1,294  1,842 
    Interest  312  224 
    Other expenses, net 432  560 
     Total expenses 185,219  182,408 
          
    Income before income tax expense (benefit) 12,751  2,503 
    Income tax expense (benefit) 2,221  (1,228)
          
    Net income$10,530 $3,731 
          
    Earnings per common share:   
     Class A - basic and diluted$0.35 $0.13 
     Class B - basic and diluted$0.32 $0.12 
          
    Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data   
          
    Weighted-average number of shares   
     outstanding:   
     Class A - basic 24,768,060  23,260,386 
     Class A - diluted 24,896,388  23,448,022 
     Class B - basic and diluted 5,576,775  5,576,775 
          
    Net premiums written$215,862 $198,237 
          
    Book value per common share   
     at end of period$17.29 $15.92 
          


    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (in thousands)
          
       March 31, December 31,
       2021  2020
       (unaudited)  
          
    ASSETS
    Investments:   
     Fixed maturities:   
      Held to maturity, at amortized cost$613,485  $586,609 
      Available for sale, at fair value 497,655   555,136 
     Equity securities, at fair value 68,640   58,556 
     Short-term investments, at cost 21,098   20,900 
           Total investments 1,200,878   1,221,201 
    Cash  102,392   103,094 
    Premiums receivable 181,608   169,596 
    Reinsurance receivable 426,340   408,909 
    Deferred policy acquisition costs 64,531   59,157 
    Prepaid reinsurance premiums 181,100   169,418 
    Other assets 28,372   29,145 
      Total assets$2,185,221  $2,160,520 
          
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Liabilities:   
     Losses and loss expenses$996,979  $962,007 
     Unearned premiums 577,481   537,190 
     Accrued expenses 23,563   29,115 
     Borrowings under lines of credit 35,000   85,000 
     Subordinated debentures 5,000   5,000 
     Other liabilities 17,963   24,434 
      Total liabilities 1,655,986   1,642,746 
    Stockholders' equity:   
     Class A common stock 280   277 
     Class B common stock 56   56 
     Additional paid-in capital 294,398   289,150 
     Accumulated other comprehensive income 6,923   11,131 
     Retained earnings 268,804   258,386 
     Treasury stock (41,226)  (41,226)
      Total stockholders' equity 529,235   517,774 
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$2,185,221  $2,160,520 
          

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