Upgrade to SI Premium - Free Trial

RLI Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2019 Results

January 22, 2020 4:10 PM

PEORIA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RLI Corp. (NYSE: RLI) – RLI Corp. reported fourth quarter 2019 net earnings of $53.4 million ($1.18 per share), compared to net losses of $20.7 million (-$0.46 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2018. Operating earnings(1) for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $28.6 million ($0.63 per share), compared to $17.8 million ($0.40 per share) for the same period in 2018.

Fourth Quarter

Year to Date

Earnings Per Diluted Share

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net earnings (loss)

$

1.18

$

(0.46

)

$

4.23

$

1.43

Operating earnings (1)

$

0.63

$

0.40

$

2.57

$

2.05

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

Highlights for the quarter included:

Highlights for the year included:

“RLI achieved strong financial results in 2019, surpassing $1 billion in gross premiums written and statutory surplus for the first time in our company’s history,” said RLI Corp. Chairman & CEO Jonathan E. Michael. “Favorable market and competitive conditions supported consistent top line growth during the quarter and year. Through the efforts of our talented underwriters, we achieved an overall combined ratio of 91.9, marking our 24th consecutive year of underwriting profit. Book value grew 33% in 2019, a hallmark of our financial strength that allows us to provide customers and shareholders with exceptional value. RLI continues to be a reliable insurance carrier with a consistent risk appetite that offers protection and stability to its customers during times of change. I want to thank all RLI associates for their commitment to our customers and contributions to our performance during the year. We will remain focused on continuing the positive momentum in 2020.”

Underwriting Income

RLI had $16.5 million of underwriting income in the fourth quarter of 2019 on a 92.4 combined ratio, compared to $2.2 million of underwriting income on a 98.9 combined ratio in the same quarter for 2018.

For the year, RLI achieved $67.6 million of underwriting income on a 91.9 combined ratio, compared to $41.6 million on a 94.7 combined ratio in 2018. Results for both years include net favorable development in prior years’ loss reserves, which totaled $62.8 million and $44.3 million for 2019 and 2018, respectively.

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

Underwriting Income(1)

Combined Ratio(1)

(in millions)

2019

2018

2019

2018

Casualty

$

20.6

$

11.1

Casualty

96.3

97.9

Property

18.2

0.9

Property

88.9

99.4

Surety

28.8

29.6

Surety

75.3

75.0

Total

$

67.6

$

41.6

Total

91.9

94.7

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

Other Income

RLI’s net investment income for the quarter increased 4.8% to $17.8 million, compared to the same period in 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2019, net investment income was $68.9 million versus $62.1 million for the same period in 2018. The investment portfolio’s total return was 1.8% for the quarter and 11.6% for the year.

Comprehensive earnings were $47.9 million for the quarter ($1.06 per share), compared to -$12.9 million (-$0.29 per share) for the same quarter in 2018. Full-year comprehensive earnings were $258.7 million ($5.72 per share), compared to $30.2 million ($0.67 per share) in 2018. In addition to net earnings, comprehensive earnings included after-tax unrealized gains/(losses) from the fixed income portfolio.

Equity in earnings of Maui Jim, Inc., a producer of premium sunglasses, was $0.7 million for the quarter, reflecting seasonal sales results. Equity in earnings of Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc., a specialty insurance company, was $2.5 million. Comparatively, for the fourth quarter of 2018, equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees from Maui Jim and Prime was -$0.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2019, equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees was $13.6 million from Maui Jim and $7.4 million from Prime, compared to $12.5 million and $3.6 million, respectively, for the prior year. During the quarter, RLI received a $13.2 million dividend from Maui Jim, which resulted in a tax benefit on dividends received from affiliates of $1.8 million ($0.04 per share).

Special and Regular Dividends

On December 20, 2019, the company paid a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share and a regular quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share for a combined total of $55.2 million. RLI has paid dividends for 174 consecutive quarters and increased regular dividends in each of the last 44 years. Over the last 10 years, the company has returned nearly $1.25 billion to shareholders and the regular quarterly dividend has grown an average of 5.1% per year.

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 further 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

During the fourth quarter, the company’s A+ (Superior) financial strength rating was affirmed by AM Best Company for the company’s insurance subsidiaries – RLI Insurance Company, Mt. Hawley Insurance Company and Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company.

At 10 a.m. central standard time (CST) tomorrow, January 23, 2020, 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/yth7kqwv.

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 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 AM Best Company. RLI has paid and increased regular dividends for 44 consecutive years and delivered underwriting profits for 24 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

4th Qtr

4th Qtr

12 Mos.

12 Mos.

Operating Earnings Per Share(1)

$

0.63

$

0.40

$

2.57

$

2.05

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

Net favorable development in casualty prior years' reserves

$

0.30

$

0.20

$

0.98

$

0.55

Net favorable (unfavorable) development in property prior years' reserves

$

(0.03

)

$

-

$

(0.01

)

$

0.07

Net favorable (unfavorable) development in surety prior years' reserves

$

-

$

(0.04

)

$

0.11

$

0.12

Catastrophe impact

2019 storms

$

(0.02

)

$

-

$

(0.14

)

$

-

2018 and prior events

$

0.01

$

(0.34

)

$

0.02

$

(0.57

)

Gain from tax benefit of special dividend to ESOP(4)

$

0.01

$

0.01

$

0.01

$

0.01

Gain from tax benefit applicable to Maui Jim dividend(5)

$

0.04

$

-

$

0.04

$

-

Gain from tax benefit of change in corporate tax law(6)

$

-

$

0.05

$

-

$

0.05

(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.

(4)

Dividends paid on employer securities in an ESOP are fully deductible from taxable income and resulted in a 21% tax benefit.

(5)

As required under the accounting standard for income taxes, the gain reflects the tax benefit of applying the lower tax rate applicable to dividends received from an affiliate (7.35%) as compared to the corporate capital gains tax rate (21%) on which tax estimates were based.

(6)

The gain reflects the tax benefit of applying the rules enacted under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

RLI CORP

2019 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended December 31,

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

SUMMARIZED INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

% Change

Net premiums earned

$

215,626

$

204,002

5.7

%

$

839,111

$

791,366

6.0

%

Net investment income

17,775

16,962

4.8

%

68,870

62,085

10.9

%

Net realized gains

477

15,507

(96.9

)

%

17,520

63,407

(72.4

)

%

Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities

30,876

(64,200

)

-

78,090

(98,735

)

-

Consolidated revenue

$

264,754

$

172,271

53.7

%

$

1,003,591

$

818,123

22.7

%

Loss and settlement expenses

$

106,210

$

123,888

(14.3

)

%

$

413,416

$

428,193

(3.5

)

%

Policy acquisition costs

74,111

66,265

11.8

%

288,697

267,738

7.8

%

Insurance operating expenses

18,833

11,612

62.2

%

69,430

53,803

29.0

%

Interest expense on debt

2,005

1,861

7.7

%

7,588

7,437

2.0

%

General corporate expenses

3,544

1,556

127.8

%

12,686

9,427

34.6

%

Total expenses

$

204,703

$

205,182

(0.2

)

%

$

791,817

$

766,598

3.3

%

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees

3,167

203

-

20,960

16,056

30.5

%

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

$

63,218

$

(32,708

)

-

$

232,734

$

67,581

244.4

%

Income tax expense (benefit)

9,840

(12,048

)

-

41,092

3,402

-

Net earnings (loss)

$

53,378

$

(20,660

)

-

$

191,642

$

64,179

198.6

%

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax

(5,461

)

7,772

-

67,045

(33,997

)

-

Comprehensive earnings (loss)

$

47,917

$

(12,888

)

-

$

258,687

$

30,182

-

Operating earnings(1):

Net earnings (loss)

$

53,378

$

(20,660

)

-

$

191,642

$

64,179

198.6

%

Less:

Realized gains

(477

)

(15,507

)

(96.9

)

%

(17,520

)

(63,407

)

(72.4

)

%

Income tax on realized gains

100

3,256

(96.9

)

%

3,679

13,315

(72.4

)

%

Unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities

(30,876

)

64,200

-

(78,090

)

98,735

-

Income tax on unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities

6,484

(13,482

)

-

16,399

(20,734

)

-

Operating earnings

$

28,609

$

17,807

60.7

%

$

116,110

$

92,088

26.1

%

Return on Equity:

Net earnings (trailing four quarters)

20.6

%

7.6

%

Comprehensive earnings (trailing four quarters)

27.8

%

3.6

%

Per Share Data:

Diluted:

Weighted average shares outstanding (in 000's)

45,409

44,497

45,257

44,835

Net earnings (loss) per share

$

1.18

$

(0.46

)

-

$

4.23

$

1.43

195.8

%

Less:

Realized gains

(0.01

)

(0.35

)

(97.1

)

%

(0.38

)

(1.42

)

(73.2

)

%

Income tax on realized gains

-

0.07

(100.0

)

%

0.08

0.30

(73.3

)

%

Unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities

(0.68

)

1.44

-

(1.72

)

2.20

-

Income tax on unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities

0.14

(0.30

)

-

0.36

(0.46

)

-

EPS from operations(1)

$

0.63

$

0.40

57.5

%

$

2.57

$

2.05

25.4

%

Comprehensive earnings (loss) per share

$

1.06

$

(0.29

)

-

$

5.72

$

0.67

-

Cash dividends per share - ordinary

$

0.23

$

0.22

4.5

%

$

0.91

$

0.87

4.6

%

Cash dividends per share - special

$

1.00

$

1.00

0.0

%

$

1.00

$

1.00

0.0

%

Net Cash Flow provided by Operations

$

90,155

$

53,733

67.8

%

$

276,917

$

217,102

27.6

%

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

RLI CORP

2019 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2018

% Change

SUMMARIZED BALANCE SHEET DATA:

Fixed income, at fair value

$

1,983,086

$

1,760,515

12.6

%

(amortized cost - $1,915,278 at 12/31/19)

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

Equity securities, at fair value

460,630

340,483

35.3

%

(cost - $262,131 at 12/31/19)

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

Other invested assets

70,441

51,542

36.7

%

Cash and cash equivalents

46,203

41,690

10.8

%

Total investments and cash

$

2,560,360

$

2,194,230

16.7

%

Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable

160,369

152,576

5.1

%

Ceded unearned premiums

93,656

71,174

31.6

%

Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses

384,517

364,999

5.3

%

Deferred policy acquisition costs

85,044

84,934

0.1

%

Property and equipment

53,121

54,692

(2.9

)

%

Investment in unconsolidated investees

103,836

94,967

9.3

%

Goodwill and intangibles

54,127

54,534

(0.7

)

%

Other assets

50,691

32,959

53.8

%

Total assets

$

3,545,721

$

3,105,065

14.2

%

Unpaid losses and settlement expenses

$

1,574,352

$

1,461,348

7.7

%

Unearned premiums

540,213

496,505

8.8

%

Reinsurance balances payable

25,691

22,591

13.7

%

Funds held

83,358

72,309

15.3

%

Income taxes - deferred

56,727

24,238

134.0

%

Bonds payable, long-term debt

149,302

149,115

0.1

%

Accrued expenses

66,626

45,124

47.7

%

Other liabilities

54,064

26,993

100.3

%

Total liabilities

$

2,550,333

$

2,298,223

11.0

%

Shareholders' equity

995,388

806,842

23.4

%

Total liabilities & shareholders' equity

$

3,545,721

$

3,105,065

14.2

%

OTHER DATA:

Common shares outstanding (in 000's)

44,869

44,504

Book value per share

$

22.18

$

18.13

22.3

%

Closing stock price per share

$

90.02

$

68.99

30.5

%

Statutory surplus

$

1,029,671

$

829,775

24.1

%

RLI CORP

2019 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

UNDERWRITING SEGMENT DATA

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended December 31,

GAAP

GAAP

GAAP

GAAP

Casualty

Ratios

Property

Ratios

Surety

Ratios

Total

Ratios

2019

Gross premiums written

$

179,542

$

64,638

$

29,650

$

273,830

Net premiums written

141,963

47,956

27,945

217,864

Net premiums earned

142,791

43,828

29,007

215,626

Net loss & settlement expenses

82,994

58.1

%

20,680

47.2

%

2,536

8.7

%

106,210

49.3

%

Net operating expenses

53,848

37.7

%

19,017

43.4

%

20,079

69.3

%

92,944

43.1

%

Underwriting income (loss) (1)

$

5,949

95.8

%

$

4,131

90.6

%

$

6,392

78.0

%

$

16,472

92.4

%

2018

Gross premiums written

$

177,665

$

47,822

$

31,916

$

257,403

Net premiums written

147,615

34,710

30,103

212,428

Net premiums earned

136,404

37,822

29,776

204,002

Net loss & settlement expenses

83,372

61.1

%

33,429

88.4

%

7,087

23.8

%

123,888

60.7

%

Net operating expenses

44,333

32.5

%

15,659

41.4

%

17,885

60.1

%

77,877

38.2

%

Underwriting income (loss) (1)

$

8,699

93.6

%

$

(11,266)

129.8

%

$

4,804

83.9

%

$

2,237

98.9

%

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

GAAP

GAAP

GAAP

GAAP

Casualty

Ratios

Property

Ratios

Surety

Ratios

Total

Ratios

2019

Gross premiums written

$

704,192

$

241,425

$

119,385

$

1,065,002

Net premiums written

564,979

181,974

113,384

860,337

Net premiums earned

558,458

164,022

116,631

839,111

Net loss & settlement expenses

330,156

59.1

%

73,614

44.9

%

9,646

8.3

%

413,416

49.3

%

Net operating expenses

207,701

37.2

%

72,265

44.0

%

78,161

67.0

%

358,127

42.6

%

Underwriting income (loss) (1)

$

20,601

96.3

%

$

18,143

88.9

%

$

28,824

75.3

%

$

67,568

91.9

%

2018

Gross premiums written

$

654,194

$

202,917

$

126,105

$

983,216

Net premiums written

547,177

155,601

120,397

823,175

Net premiums earned

523,472

149,261

118,633

791,366

Net loss & settlement expenses

329,763

63.0

%

83,822

56.2

%

14,608

12.3

%

428,193

54.1

%

Net operating expenses

182,569

34.9

%

64,555

43.2

%

74,417

62.7

%

321,541

40.6

%

Underwriting income (loss) (1)

$

11,140

97.9

%

$

884

99.4

%

$

29,608

75.0

%

$

41,632

94.7

%

(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.

Categories

Business Wire Press Releases

Next Articles