ERIE, Pa., April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Erie Indemnity Company (NASDAQ: ERIE) today announced financial results for the quarter ending March 31, 2016. Net income was $45.9 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $38.8 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2015. The growth in the first quarter of 2016 was driven by increased net revenue from operations.

"Strong topline growth together with prudent expense management resulted in solid earnings per share for the quarter," said Terry Cavanaugh, President and CEO.

Net revenue from operations before taxes increased $15.2 million, or 29.1 percent, in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the first quarter of 2015.

• Management fee revenue increased $24.2 million, or 7.1 percent, in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the first quarter of 2015.
• Commissions increased $15.0 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the first quarter of 2015, primarily as a result of the 7.1 percent increase in direct and assumed premiums written by the Exchange, while approximately one-quarter of the increase was due to higher agent incentive costs primarily related to profitable growth, compared to the prior year quarter.
• Non-commission expense decreased $6.3 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the first quarter of 2015. Underwriting and policy processing costs increased $1.0 million due to increased personnel costs. Information technology costs decreased $4.7 million primarily due to decreased professional fees. Administrative and other costs decreased $2.6 million primarily due to decreased personnel costs. Personnel costs in all expense categories were impacted by decreased pension costs primarily due to an increase in the pension discount rate.
• The gross margin in the first quarter of 2016 was 18.1 percent compared to 14.9 percent in the first quarter of 2015.

Income from investments before taxes totaled $2.6 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2015. Losses from limited partnerships were $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to earnings of $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2015.

Webcast Information

Indemnity has scheduled a conference call and live audio broadcast on the Web for 10:00 AM ET on April 29, 2016. Investors may access the live audio broadcast by logging on to www.erieinsurance.com. Indemnity recommends visiting the website at least 15 minutes prior to the Webcast to download and install any necessary software. A Webcast audio replay will be available on the Investor Relations page of the Erie Insurance website by 12:30 PM ET.

Erie Insurance Group

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 10th largest homeowners insurer and 12th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 16th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has more than 5 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group is a FORTUNE 500 company, a Barron's 500 company and has been recognized by Forbes as one of America's 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies.

News releases and more information about Erie Insurance Group are available at www.erieinsurance.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

Statements contained herein that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements and, as such, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ, perhaps materially, from those discussed herein. Forward-looking statements relate to future trends, events or results and include, without limitation, statements and assumptions on which such statements are based that are related to our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources. Examples of forward-looking statements are discussions relating to premium and investment income, expenses, operating results, and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Among the risks and uncertainties, in addition to those set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause actual results and future events to differ from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements include the following:

• dependence upon our relationship with the Erie Insurance Exchange ("Exchange") and the management fee under the agreement with the subscribers at the Exchange;
• costs of providing services to the Exchange under the subscriber's agreement;
• credit risk from the Exchange;
• dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the growth of the Exchange, including:
  • general business and economic conditions;
  • factors affecting insurance industry competition;
  • dependence upon the independent agency system; and
  • ability to maintain our reputation for customer service;
• dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the financial condition of the Exchange, including:
  • the Exchange's ability to maintain acceptable financial strength ratings;
  • factors affecting the quality and liquidity of the Exchange's investment portfolio;
  • changes in government regulation of the insurance industry;
  • emerging claims and coverage issues in the industry; and
  • severe weather conditions or other catastrophic losses, including terrorism;
• ability to attract and retain talented management and employees;
• ability to maintain uninterrupted business operations;
• factors affecting the quality and liquidity of our investment portfolio;
• our ability to meet liquidity needs and access capital; and
• outcome of pending and potential litigation.

A forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and reflects our analysis only as of that date. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.

(ERIE-F)

Erie Indemnity Company Reconciliation of Operating Income to Net Income

Reconciliation of operating income to net income

We disclose operating income, a non-GAAP financial measure, to enhance our investors' understanding of our performance. Our method of calculating this measure may differ from those used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.

We define operating income as net income excluding realized capital gains and losses, impairment losses, and related federal income taxes.

We use operating income to evaluate the results of our operations. It reveals trends that may be obscured by the net effects of realized capital gains and losses including impairment losses. Realized capital gains and losses, including impairment losses, may vary significantly between periods and are generally driven by business decisions and economic developments such as capital market conditions which are not related to our ongoing operations. We are aware that the price to earnings multiple commonly used by investors as a forward-looking valuation technique uses operating income as the denominator. Operating income should not be considered as a substitute for net income prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and does not reflect our overall profitability.

The following table reconciles operating income and net income:

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SOURCE Erie Indemnity Company