AMERISAFE Announces 2009 Third Quarter Results

November 5, 2009 4:05 PM EST

DERIDDER, La., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AMERISAFE, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMSF), a specialty provider of high hazard workers' compensation insurance, today announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.

                                 Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30,            September 30,
                                --------------------     -----------------
                                  2009        2008        2009        2008
                                  ----        ----        ----        ----
                                              (In thousands)
    Gross premiums written      $55,119     $75,767    $207,085    $242,739

    Net income                   15,071      13,359      39,834      38,109
    Net combined ratio             79.3%       79.4%       84.0%       84.0%
    Return on average equity       19.3%       20.5%       17.8%       20.3%

Net income in the third quarter of 2009 was $15.1 million compared to net income of $13.4 million in the 2008 third quarter, an increase of 12.8%. Pre-tax income for the third quarter of 2009 included $6.7 million of favorable prior year loss development and $2.0 million of realized gains from sales of certain equity securities and one previously impaired fixed maturity security. Pre-tax income for the third quarter of 2008 included $6.6 million of favorable prior year loss development, realized losses of $2.9 million from the sale of equity securities and other-than-temporary impairments, and income of $703,000 from a reinsurance commutation. Return on average equity for the 2009 third quarter was 19.3% compared to 20.5% for the same period in 2008.

Gross premiums written in the third quarter of 2009 were $55.1 million, a decrease of 27.3%, compared to $75.8 million in the third quarter of 2008. Both the voluntary premiums written in the quarter and audit premiums for policies written in prior periods decreased in the third quarter of 2009. These decreases were compounded by a $5.0 million decrease in earned but unbilled (EBUB) premium. The EBUB premium estimate was updated to reflect expected future decreased premium from policy audits resulting from projected lower payrolls during the current economic climate.

Net investment income was $6.9 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared to $7.7 million for the third quarter of 2008, a decrease of 10.8%. Third quarter revenues totaled $67.2 million, a decrease of 11.9%, compared to revenues of $76.3 million in the prior year period.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $39.8 million compared to $38.1 million for the same period in 2008, an increase of 4.5%. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, pre-tax income included $13.1 million of favorable prior year loss development, realized gains of $2.0 million from sales of certain securities, and income of $344,000 from a reinsurance commutation. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008, pre-tax income included $11.1 million of favorable prior year loss development, $2.9 million of realized losses from sales of certain equity securities and other-than-temporary impairments, and income of $1.7 million from reinsurance commutations. Net investment income decreased to $21.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, from $22.9 million for the same period in 2008, a decrease of 7.4%. The Company's return on average equity was 17.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 20.3% for the same period in 2008.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, gross premiums written totaled $207.1 million, a 14.7% decrease from gross premiums written of $242.7 million for the same period in 2008. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $218.2 million, an 8.4% decrease from revenues of $238.4 million for the same period in 2008.

In the third quarter of 2009, diluted earnings per share allocable to common shareholders were $0.74 compared to $0.65 in the same period of 2008. Weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the third quarter of 2009 totaled 19,273,287 shares compared to 19,207,487 shares in the third quarter of 2008.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, diluted earnings per share allocable to common shareholders were $1.95 compared to $1.87 in the same period of 2008. Weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled 19,247,406 shares compared to 19,119,207 shares in the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

The net combined ratio for the third quarter of 2009 was 79.3% compared to 79.4% for the same period in 2008. Loss and loss adjustment expenses for the third quarter of 2009 were $33.4 million, or 57.4% of net premiums earned, compared to $42.0 million, or 58.9% of net premiums earned, for the same period in 2008. Total underwriting expenses for the third quarter of 2009 were $12.5 million, or 21.6% of net premiums earned, compared to $14.5 million, or 20.3% of net premiums earned, for the third quarter 2008.

The net combined ratio for both the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 84.0%. Loss and loss adjustment expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $120.6 million, or 62.2% of net premiums earned, compared to $139.2 million, or 63.9% of net premiums earned, for the same period in 2008. Total underwriting expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $41.8 million, or 21.5% of net premiums earned, compared to $43.1 million, or 19.8% of net premiums earned, for the same period in 2008.

Commenting on these results, Allen Bradley, AMERISAFE's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Despite a protracted, soft insurance market and very poor economic conditions, AMERISAFE's team has delivered superior returns to our shareholders once again. We are steadfast in our commitment to maintain underwriting discipline and superior risk selection. We continue to focus on building long term shareholder value by making prudent business decisions in the current market."

2009 Outlook

AMERISAFE's overall financial objective is to produce a return on equity of at least 15% over the long-term while maintaining optimal operating leverage in its insurance subsidiaries that is commensurate with its A. M. Best rating of "A-" (Excellent).

Conference Call Information

AMERISAFE has scheduled a conference call for November 6, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the conference call dial 480-629-9820 at least 10 minutes before the call begins and ask for the AMERISAFE conference call. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the live broadcast ends and will be accessible through November 13, 2009. To access the replay, dial 303-590-3000 and use the pass code 4170470#.

Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call over the Internet by visiting http://www.amerisafe.com. To listen to the live call on the web, please visit the website at least fifteen minutes before the call begins to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, an archive will be available shortly after the call and will remain available for approximately 60 days at http://www.amerisafe.com.

About AMERISAFE

AMERISAFE, Inc. is a specialty provider of workers' compensation insurance focused on small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking, agriculture, logging, oil and gas and maritime. AMERISAFE actively markets workers' compensation insurance in 30 states and the District of Columbia. The Company's financial strength rating is "A-" (Excellent) by A.M. Best.

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements accompanied by words such as "will," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "estimate," or similar words are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding AMERISAFE's plans and performance. These statements are based on management's estimates, assumptions and projections as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in these statements as the results of risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to, the factors set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including AMERISAFE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. AMERISAFE cautions you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. AMERISAFE does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

                                - Tables to follow -



                         AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         Consolidated Statements of Income
                     (in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                  Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                     September 30,          September 30,
                                 --------------------    -----------------
                                   2009        2008       2009        2008
                                   ----        ----       ----        ----
                                                  (unaudited)
    Revenues:
    ---------
    Gross premiums written       $55,119     $75,767    $207,085    $242,739
    Ceded premiums written        (4,051)     (4,574)    (14,115)    (14,030)
                                 -------     -------    --------    --------
       Net premiums written      $51,068     $71,193    $192,970    $228,709
                                 -------     -------    --------    --------

    Net premiums earned          $58,133     $71,284    $193,926    $217,727
    Net investment income          6,877       7,712      21,231      22,934
    Net realized gains (losses)
     on investments                1,956      (2,921)      1,999      (2,860)
    Fee and other income             242         200       1,083         570
                                     ---         ---       -----         ---
      Total revenues              67,208      76,275     218,239     238,371
                                  ------      ------     -------     -------

    Expenses:
    ---------
    Loss and loss adjustment
     expenses incurred            33,358      41,972     120,647     139,217
    Underwriting and other
     operating costs              12,535      14,474      41,778      43,137
    Interest expense                 417         654       1,411       2,080
    Policyholder dividends           201         125         523         563
                                     ---         ---         ---         ---
      Total expenses              46,511      57,225     164,359     184,997
                                  ------      ------     -------     -------

    Income before taxes           20,697      19,050      53,880      53,374
    Income tax expense             5,626       5,691      14,046      15,265
                                   -----       -----      ------      ------
      Net income                 $15,071     $13,359     $39,834     $38,109
                                 =======     =======     =======     =======


                        AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    Consolidated Statements of Income (cont.)
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)


                               Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                 September 30,            September 30,
                                 -------------            -------------
                                 2009        2008        2009        2008
                                 ----        ----        ----        ----
                                                 (unaudited)
    Basic EPS:
    ----------
    Net income available to
     common shareholders        $15,071     $13,359     $39,834     $38,109
                                =======     =======     =======     =======

    Portion allocable to
     common shareholders           94.1%       94.1%       94.1%       94.0%

    Net income allocable to
     common shareholders        $14,178     $12,571     $37,468     $35,822
                                =======     =======     =======     =======

    Basic weighted average
     common shares           18,862,044  18,819,463  18,854,169  18,809,061
    Basic earnings
     per share                    $0.75       $0.67       $1.99       $1.90

    Diluted EPS:
    ------------
    Net income allocable to
     common shareholders        $14,176     $12,571     $37,468     $35,822
                                =======     =======     =======     =======

    Diluted weighted
     average common shares:
       Weighted average
        common shares        18,862,044  18,819,463  18,854,169  18,809,061
       Stock options            397,835     376,275     382,675     290,813
       Restricted stock          13,408      11,749      10,562      19,333
                                 ------      ------      ------      ------
       Diluted weighted
        average common
        shares               19,273,287  19,207,487  19,247,406  19,119,207

    Diluted earnings
     per common share             $0.74       $0.65       $1.95       $1.87


                        AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                 (in thousands)


                                                 September 30,  December 31,
                                                 -------------  ------------
                                                     2009           2008
                                                     ----           ----
                                                  (unaudited)
    Assets
    Investments                                     $716,824      $704,732
    Cash and cash equivalents                        104,829        95,241
    Amounts recoverable from reinsurers               91,606        67,763
    Premiums receivable, net                         166,208       156,567
    Deferred income taxes                             28,290        33,580
    Deferred policy acquisition costs                 19,424        20,289
    Deferred charges                                   3,410         3,381
    Other assets                                      32,181        26,280
                                                      ------        ------
                                                  $1,162,772    $1,107,833
                                                  ==========    ==========

    Liabilities, redeemable preferred stock
    and shareholders' equity
    Liabilities:
      Reserves for loss and loss adjustment
       expenses                                     $544,098      $531,293
      Unearned premiums                              136,144       137,100
      Insurance-related assessments                   41,633        42,505
      Subordinated debt securities                    36,090        36,090
      Other liabilities                               84,533        82,573

    Redeemable preferred stock                        25,000        25,000

    Total shareholders' equity                       295,274       253,272
                                                     -------       -------
    Total liabilities, redeemable preferred
     stock and shareholders' equity               $1,162,772    $1,107,833
                                                  ==========    ==========

                        AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           Selected Insurance Ratios


                                     Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                        September 30,        September 30,
                                        -------------        -------------
                                       2009      2008      2009      2008
                                       ----      ----      ----      ----
                                                   (unaudited)

    Current accident year loss
     ratio (1)                         69.0%     68.1%     69.0%     69.0%
    Prior accident year loss
     ratio (2)                        (11.6)%    (9.2)%    (6.8)%    (5.1)%
                                      -----      ----      ----      ----
    Net loss ratio                     57.4%     58.9%     62.2%     63.9%
                                       ----      ----      ----      ----
    Net underwriting expense
     ratio (3)                         21.6%     20.3%     21.5%     19.8%
    Net dividend ratio (4)              0.3%      0.2%      0.3%      0.3%
    Net combined ratio (5)             79.3%     79.4%     84.0%     84.0%
    Return on average equity (6)       19.3%     20.5%     17.8%     20.3%

    (1) The current accident year loss ratio is calculated by dividing loss
        and loss adjustment expenses incurred for the current accident year
        by the current year's net premiums earned.
    (2) The prior accident year loss ratio is calculated by dividing the
        change in loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred for prior
        accident years by the current year's net premiums earned.
    (3) The net underwriting expense ratio is calculated by dividing
        underwriting and certain other operating costs by the current year's
        net premiums earned.
    (4) The net dividend ratio is calculated by dividing policyholder
        dividends by the current year's net premiums earned.
    (5) The net combined ratio is the sum of the net loss ratio, the net
        underwriting expense ratio and the net dividend ratio.
    (6) Return on average equity is calculated by dividing the annualized
        net income by the average shareholders' equity, including redeemable
        preferred stock for the applicable period.
    Contacts:  G. Janelle Frost, EVP & CFO
               AMERISAFE, Inc.
               337-463-9052

               Ken Dennard, Managing Partner
               Karen Roan, Sr.VP
               DRG&E  /  713-529-6600

SOURCE AMERISAFE, Inc.


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