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RLI Reports Third Quarter 2019 Results

October 16, 2019 4:10 PM

PEORIA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RLI Corp. (NYSE: RLI) – RLI Corp. reported third quarter 2019 net earnings of $32.3 million ($0.71 per share), compared to $39.4 million ($0.88 per share) for the third quarter of 2018. Operating earnings(1) for the third quarter of 2019 were $25.9 million ($0.57 per share) compared to $20.8 million ($0.46 per share) for the same period in 2018.

Third Quarter

Year to Date

Earnings Per Diluted Share

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net earnings

$

0.71

$

0.88

$

3.06

$

1.90

Operating earnings (1)

$

0.57

$

0.46

$

1.94

$

1.66

(1) See discussion below: Non-GAAP and Performance Measures.

Highlights for the quarter included:

“We are pleased with our sound financial results and continued top line growth during the quarter,” said RLI Corp. Chairman & CEO Jonathan E. Michael. “We achieved a 93.5 combined ratio overall, with contributions from each major product segment. Throughout 2019, we have been focused on using capital generated from our businesses to selectively expand our existing footprint. Quarterly operating earnings of $0.57 per share, in addition to positive investment returns, generated strong book value growth of 27% from year-end 2018. We remain well positioned to take advantage of favorable market conditions, while providing exceptional service to our customers and delivering value to our shareholders.”

Underwriting Income

RLI achieved $13.7 million of underwriting income in the third quarter of 2019 on a 93.5 combined ratio, compared to $7.8 million on a 96.1 combined ratio in 2018. Results for both years include favorable development in prior years’ loss reserves which totaled $12.1 million and $9.7 million for 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The following table highlights underwriting income and combined ratios by segment.

Underwriting Income (Loss)(1)

Combined Ratio(1)

(in millions)

2019

2018

2019

2018

Casualty

$

2.4

$

(1.9

)

Casualty

98.3

101.5

Property

6.2

2.6

Property

85.0

93.3

Surety

5.1

7.1

Surety

82.4

76.4

Total

$

13.7

$

7.8

Total

93.5

96.1

(1) See discussion below: Non-GAAP and Performance Measures.

Other Income

RLI’s net investment income for the quarter increased 7.5% to $17.5 million, compared to the same period in 2018. The investment portfolio’s total return was 1.9% for the quarter and 9.6% for the year.

Comprehensive earnings were $47.7 million for the quarter ($1.05 per share) compared to $31.7 million ($0.70 per share) for the same quarter in 2018. In addition to net earnings, comprehensive earnings included after-tax unrealized gains/(losses) from the fixed income portfolio.

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees was $4.0 million for the quarter compared to $3.6 million from the same period last year. These results are related to Maui Jim, Inc. ($2.8 million), a producer of premium sunglasses, and Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. ($1.2 million), a specialty insurance company. For the third quarter of 2018, equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees from Maui Jim and Prime was $2.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

Dividends Paid in the Third Quarter of 2019

On September 20, 2019, the company paid a regular quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share, the same amount as the prior quarter. RLI’s cumulative dividends total more than $606 million paid over the last five years.

Non-GAAP and Performance Measures

Management has included certain non-generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP) financial measures in presenting the company’s results. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures better explain the company’s results of operations and allow for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends in the company’s business. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). In addition, our definitions of these items may not be comparable to the definitions used by other companies.

Operating earnings and earnings per share (EPS) from operations consist of our GAAP net earnings adjusted by the net realized gains/(losses), net unrealized gains/(losses) on equity securities and taxes related thereto. Net earnings and net earnings per share are the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to operating earnings and EPS from operations. A reconciliation of the operating earnings and EPS from operations to the comparable GAAP financial measures is included in the 2019 financial highlights below.

Underwriting income or profit represents the pretax profitability of our insurance operations and is derived by subtracting loss and settlement expenses, policy acquisition costs and insurance operating expenses from net premium earned, which are all GAAP financial measures. The combined ratio, which is derived from components of underwriting income, is a performance measure commonly used by property and casualty insurance companies and is calculated as the sum of loss and settlement expenses, policy acquisition costs and insurance operating expenses, divided by net premiums earned, which are all GAAP measures.

Other News

On July 16, 2019, RLI was named as one of the insurance industry’s top performing companies by Ward Group for the 29th consecutive year. RLI is one of only two property-casualty insurers to be recognized as a Ward’s 50® Top P&C Performer every year since the list’s inception in 1991.

At 10 a.m. central daylight time (CDT) tomorrow, October 17, 2019, RLI management will hold a conference call to discuss quarterly results with insurance industry analysts. Interested parties may listen to the discussion through the Internet at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/vy5j5zy8.

Except for historical information, this news release may include forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) including, without limitation, statements reflecting our current expectations about the future performance of our company or our business segments or about future market conditions. These statements are subject to certain risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. Various risk factors that could affect future results are listed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2018.

About RLI

RLI Corp. (NYSE: RLI) is a specialty insurer serving diverse, niche property, casualty and surety markets. The company provides deep underwriting expertise and superior service to commercial and personal lines customers nationwide. RLI’s products are offered through its insurance subsidiaries RLI Insurance Company, Mt. Hawley Insurance Company and Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company. All of RLI’s insurance subsidiaries are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company. RLI has paid and increased regular dividends for 44 consecutive years and delivered underwriting profits for 23 consecutive years. To learn more about RLI, visit www.rlicorp.com.

Supplemental disclosure regarding the earnings impact of specific items:

Operating Earnings Per Share

2019

2018

2019

2018

3rd Qtr

3rd Qtr

9 Mos.

9 Mos.

Operating Earnings Per Share(1)

$

0.57

$

0.46

$

1.94

$

1.66

Specific items included in operating earnings per share:(2) (3)

• Favorable development in casualty prior years' reserves

$

0.19

$

0.11

$

0.68

$

0.36

• Favorable development in property prior years' reserves

$

0.02

$

0.01

$

0.02

$

0.07

• Favorable development in surety prior years' reserves

$

-

$

0.03

$

0.12

$

0.16

•Catastrophe impact

• 2019 storms

$

(0.04

)

$

-

$

(0.12

)

$

-

• 2018 and prior events

$

-

$

(0.09

)

$

-

$

(0.24

)

(1) See discussion above: Non-GAAP and Performance Measures
(2) Includes incentive and profit sharing-related impacts which affected policy acquisition, insurance operating and general corporate expenses.
(3) Reserve development reflects changes from previously estimated losses.

RLI CORP

2019 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

SUMMARIZED INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

% Change

Net premiums earned

$

211,255

$

200,815

5.2

%

$

623,485

$

587,364

6.1

%

Net investment income

17,532

16,314

7.5

%

51,095

45,123

13.2

%

Net realized gains

3,211

18,647

(82.8

)

%

17,043

47,900

(64.4

)

%

Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities

4,906

4,848

1.2

%

47,214

(34,535

)

-

Consolidated revenue

$

236,904

$

240,624

(1.5

)

%

$

738,837

$

645,852

14.4

%

Loss and settlement expenses

$

108,990

$

110,231

(1.1

)

%

$

307,206

$

304,305

1.0

%

Policy acquisition costs

71,552

68,414

4.6

%

214,586

201,473

6.5

%

Insurance operating expenses

16,982

14,408

17.9

%

50,597

42,191

19.9

%

Interest expense on debt

1,861

1,862

(0.1

)

%

5,583

5,576

0.1

%

General corporate expenses

2,583

2,947

(12.4

)

%

9,142

7,871

16.1

%

Total expenses

$

201,968

$

197,862

2.1

%

$

587,114

$

561,416

4.6

%

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees

4,011

3,587

11.8

%

17,793

15,853

12.2

%

Earnings before income taxes

$

38,947

$

46,349

(16.0

)

%

$

169,516

$

100,289

69.0

%

Income tax expense

6,623

6,977

(5.1

)

%

31,252

15,450

102.3

%

Net earnings

$

32,324

$

39,372

(17.9

)

%

$

138,264

$

84,839

63.0

%

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax

15,341

(7,696

)

-

72,506

(41,769

)

-

Comprehensive earnings

$

47,665

$

31,676

50.5

%

$

210,770

$

43,070

389.4

%

Operating earnings(1):

Net earnings

$

32,324

$

39,372

(17.9

)

%

$

138,264

$

84,839

63.0

%

Less:

Realized gains

(3,211

)

(18,647

)

(82.8

)

%

(17,043

)

(47,900

)

(64.4

)

%

Income tax on realized gains

674

3,916

(82.8

)

%

3,579

10,059

(64.4

)

%

Unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities

(4,906

)

(4,848

)

1.2

%

(47,214

)

34,535

-

Income tax on unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities

1,031

1,018

1.3

%

9,915

(7,252

)

-

Operating earnings

$

25,912

$

20,811

24.5

%

$

87,501

$

74,281

17.8

%

Return on Equity:

Net earnings (trailing four quarters)

13.0

%

16.6

%

Comprehensive earnings (trailing four quarters)

21.8

%

12.2

%

Per Share Data:

Diluted:

Weighted average shares outstanding (in 000's)

45,349

44,940

45,192

44,760

Net earnings per share

$

0.71

$

0.88

(19.3

)

%

$

3.06

$

1.90

61.1

%

Less:

Realized gains

(0.07

)

(0.42

)

(83.3

)

%

(0.38

)

(1.07

)

(64.5

)

%

Income tax on realized gains

0.01

0.09

(88.9

)

%

0.08

0.22

(63.6

)

%

Unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities

(0.10

)

(0.11

)

(9.1

)

%

(1.04

)

0.77

-

Income tax on unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities

0.02

0.02

-

%

0.22

(0.16

)

-

EPS from operations(1)

$

0.57

$

0.46

23.9

%

$

1.94

$

1.66

16.9

%

Comprehensive earnings per share

$

1.05

$

0.70

50.0

%

$

4.66

$

0.96

385.4

%

Cash dividends per share - ordinary

$

0.23

$

0.22

4.5

%

$

0.68

$

0.65

4.6

%

Net Cash Flow provided by Operations

$

81,415

$

63,369

28.5

%

$

186,762

$

163,369

14.3

%

(1) See discussion above: Non-GAAP and Performance Measures.

RLI CORP

2019 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

September 30,

December 31,

2019

2018

% Change

SUMMARIZED BALANCE SHEET DATA:

Fixed income, at fair value

$

1,957,025

$

1,760,515

11.2

%

(amortized cost - $1,881,963 at 9/30/19)

(amortized cost - $1,776,465 at 12/31/18)

Equity securities, at fair value

428,297

340,483

25.8

%

(cost - $260,883 at 9/30/19)

(cost - $220,373 at 12/31/18)

Other invested assets

59,577

51,542

15.6

%

Cash and cash equivalents

69,582

41,690

66.9

%

Total investments and cash

$

2,514,481

$

2,194,230

14.6

%

Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable

157,111

152,576

3.0

%

Ceded unearned premiums

88,174

71,174

23.9

%

Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses

382,030

364,999

4.7

%

Deferred policy acquisition costs

86,523

84,934

1.9

%

Property and equipment

52,626

54,692

(3.8)

%

Investment in unconsolidated investees

113,528

94,967

19.5

%

Goodwill and intangibles

54,228

54,534

(0.6)

%

Other assets

56,363

32,959

71.0

%

Total assets

$

3,505,064

$

3,105,065

12.9

%

Unpaid losses and settlement expenses

$

1,557,358

$

1,461,348

6.6

%

Unearned premiums

532,493

496,505

7.2

%

Reinsurance balances payable

25,690

22,591

13.7

%

Funds held

78,161

72,309

8.1

%

Income taxes - deferred

55,910

24,238

130.7

%

Bonds payable, long-term debt

149,255

149,115

0.1

%

Accrued expenses

47,952

45,124

6.3

%

Other liabilities

58,625

26,993

117.2

%

Total liabilities

$

2,505,444

$

2,298,223

9.0

%

Shareholders' equity

999,620

806,842

23.9

%

Total liabilities & shareholders' equity

$

3,505,064

$

3,105,065

12.9

%

OTHER DATA:

Common shares outstanding (in 000's)

44,832

44,504

Book value per share

$

22.30

$

18.13

23.0

%

Closing stock price per share

$

92.91

$

68.99

34.7

%

Statutory surplus

$

1,021,283

$

829,775

23.1

%

RLI CORP

2019 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

UNDERWRITING SEGMENT DATA

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended September 30,

GAAP

GAAP

GAAP

GAAP

Casualty

Ratios

Property

Ratios

Surety

Ratios

Total

Ratios

2019

Gross premiums written

$

183,420

$

63,406

$

30,163

$

276,989

Net premiums written

144,478

47,585

28,649

220,712

Net premiums earned

140,423

41,476

29,356

211,255

Net loss & settlement expenses

86,587

61.7

%

17,404

42.0

%

4,999

17.0

%

108,990

51.6

%

Net operating expenses

51,466

36.6

%

17,870

43.0

%

19,198

65.4

%

88,534

41.9

%

Underwriting income (loss) (1)

$

2,370

98.3

%

$

6,202

85.0

%

$

5,159

82.4

%

$

13,731

93.5

%

2018

Gross premiums written

$

157,553

$

50,933

$

30,648

$

239,134

Net premiums written

131,611

39,606

29,353

200,570

Net premiums earned

131,605

39,067

30,143

200,815

Net loss & settlement expenses

85,992

65.3

%

20,144

51.6

%

4,095

13.6

%

110,231

54.9

%

Net operating expenses

47,587

36.2

%

16,302

41.7

%

18,933

62.8

%

82,822

41.2

%

Underwriting income (loss) (1)

$

(1,974)

101.5

%

$

2,621

93.3

%

$

7,115

76.4

%

$

7,762

96.1

%

Nine Months Ended September 30,

GAAP

GAAP

GAAP

GAAP

Casualty

Ratios

Property

Ratios

Surety

Ratios

Total

Ratios

2019

Gross premiums written

$

524,650

$

176,787

$

89,735

$

791,172

Net premiums written

423,016

134,018

85,439

642,473

Net premiums earned

415,667

120,194

87,624

623,485

Net loss & settlement expenses

247,162

59.5

%

52,934

44.0

%

7,110

8.1

%

307,206

49.3

%

Net operating expenses

153,853

37.0

%

53,248

44.3

%

58,082

66.3

%

265,183

42.5

%

Underwriting income (loss) (1)

$

14,652

96.5

%

$

14,012

88.3

%

$

22,432

74.4

%

$

51,096

91.8

%

2018

Gross premiums written

$

476,529

$

155,095

$

94,189

$

725,813

Net premiums written

399,562

120,891

90,294

610,747

Net premiums earned

387,068

111,439

88,857

587,364

Net loss & settlement expenses

246,391

63.7

%

50,393

45.2

%

7,521

8.5

%

304,305

51.8

%

Net operating expenses

138,236

35.7

%

48,896

43.9

%

56,532

63.6

%

243,664

41.5

%

Underwriting income (loss) (1)

$

2,441

99.4

%

$

12,150

89.1

%

$

24,804

72.1

%

$

39,395

93.3

%

(1) See discussion above: Non-GAAP and Performance Measures.

Media Contact

Aaron Diefenthaler

Vice President, Chief Investment Officer & Treasurer

309-693-5846

[email protected]

Source: RLI Corp.

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