FORT WORTH, Texas, March 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:HALL) today announced results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, including the following highlights:
- Fiscal 2016 net income of $6.5 million, or $0.34 per diluted share
- 4th quarter 2016 net loss of $3.7 million, or $0.20 per diluted share
- 4th quarter and fiscal 2016 net catastrophe losses of $0.6 million and $11.0 million, respectively
- 4th quarter and fiscal 2016 adverse prior year reserve development of $8.4 million and $7.6 million, respectively
- Fiscal 2016 net combined ratio of 99.8%, including 3.1% and 2.2% attributable to catastrophe losses and adverse prior year reserve development, respectively
“The 4th Quarter results were disappointing and the conclusion of a challenging year for Hallmark in 2016. Deteriorated results in the automobile line of business, both commercial and personal, as well as higher than expected property catastrophe losses were the primary drivers of our results in 2016. For the year, excluding the 3.1% impact of catastrophe losses and the 2.2% impact from adverse prior accident year reserve development, driven by deteriorating auto results from those prior years, the combined ratio for the group would have been 94.5%,” said Naveen Anand, President and Chief Executive Officer.
“In the quarter, we noted adverse prior year reserve development and higher current accident year loss trends resulting in an increase of our loss ratio estimates for the auto line of business in both our Specialty Commercial and Personal Segments. Actions to improve these results have been underway through the course of 2016,” continued Mr. Anand.
“In our Personal Segment we have continued to increase rates, culled under-performing risks, implemented significant improvement in claim handling and further reduced our geographic footprint to a core of ten states where we expect to gain scale and profitability as 2017 progresses. As a result of these actions, the elevated frequency and severity trends we’ve seen are beginning to plateau.”
“In our Specialty Commercial Segment, the auto portfolio experienced a number of large losses in the quarter along with the noted unfavorable reserve development from prior accident years. This led us to increase our current accident year loss estimates as well as to address the prior year reserve development. In the quarter, we implemented an exit from two poorly performing states. Furthermore, we continued to increase rates and expect the impact of rate changes to flow through in 2017.”
“When I joined Hallmark in late 2014, we launched a strategy to diversify our auto driven, regionally focused portfolio to mitigate volatility and improve our earnings trend. As a result, we’ve given greater emphasis and focus on developing a broader portfolio of specialty products, geographic diversification, investing in talent, enhancing our technology and driving better data and analytics to our pricing decisions. These strategic initiatives are beginning to have the desired outcome. Our Specialty Commercial Segment now accounts for over 70% of our gross written premium and drives the largest contribution to our net income, return on equity and growth. We are equally focused on getting sustained positive contribution from our Standard Commercial and Personal Segments,” concluded Mr. Anand.
Mark E. Schwarz, Executive Chairman of Hallmark, stated, “Hallmark reported book value per share of $14.28 as of December 31, 2016, an increase of 4% over prior year. Total cash and investments increased $39.3 million during fiscal 2016 to $741.1 million, an increase of 8% per share to $39.82 per share. Our cash balances (including restricted cash) totaled $87.0 million as of December 31, 2016.”
| Fourth Quarter | ||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | % Change | ||||||||
| ($ in thousands, unaudited) | ||||||||||
| Gross premiums written | 129,528 | 123,515 | 5 | % | ||||||
| Net premiums written | 83,275 | 82,341 | 1 | % | ||||||
| Net premiums earned | 90,550 | 85,503 | 6 | % | ||||||
| Investment income, net of expenses | 4,399 | 3,918 | 12 | % | ||||||
| Gain (loss) on investments (1) | 930 | (55 | ) | nm | ||||||
| Other-than-temporary impairments | - | (1,130 | ) | -100 | % | |||||
| Total revenues | 97,254 | 90,071 | 8 | % | ||||||
| Net income | (3,662 | ) | 3,446 | -206 | % | |||||
| Net income per share - basic | $ | (0.20 | ) | $ | 0.18 | -211 | % | |||
| Net income per share - diluted | $ | (0.20 | ) | $ | 0.18 | -211 | % | |||
| Book value per share | $ | 14.28 | $ | 13.72 | 4 | % | ||||
| Cash flow from operations | 5,322 | 9,835 | -46 | % | ||||||
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | % Change | ||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Gross premiums written | 549,077 | 514,223 | 7 | % | ||||||
| Net premiums written | 361,829 | 356,944 | 1 | % | ||||||
| Net premiums earned | 353,370 | 349,081 | 1 | % | ||||||
| Investment income, net of expenses | 16,342 | 13,969 | 17 | % | ||||||
| Gain on investments (1) | 2,519 | 5,826 | -57 | % | ||||||
| Other-than-temporary impairments | (2,888 | ) | (3,323 | ) | -13 | % | ||||
| Total revenues | 375,952 | 372,402 | 1 | % | ||||||
| Net income | 6,526 | 21,863 | -70 | % | ||||||
| Net income per share - basic | $ | 0.35 | $ | 1.14 | -69 | % | ||||
| Net income per share - diluted | $ | 0.34 | $ | 1.13 | -70 | % | ||||
| Book value per share | $ | 14.28 | $ | 13.72 | 4 | % | ||||
| Cash flow from operations | 30,854 | 52,936 | -42 | % | ||||||
| (1) includes unrealized gain on other investment recognized in earnings | ||||||||||
Fourth Quarter 2016 Commentary
Hallmark reported net income (loss) of ($3.7) million and $6.5 million for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to net income of $3.4 million and $21.9 million for the same periods the prior year. On a diluted basis per share, the Company reported net income (loss) of ($0.20) per share and $0.34 per share for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to net income of $0.18 per share and $1.13 per share for the same periods the prior year.
Hallmark's consolidated net loss ratio was 85.5% and 71.8% for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 68.2% and 65.9% for the same periods the prior year. Hallmark's net expense ratio was 25.5% and 28.0% for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 27.3% and 28.0% for the same periods the prior year. Hallmark’s net combined ratio was 111.0% and 99.8% for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 95.5% and 93.9% for the same periods the prior year.
During the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, Hallmark’s total revenues were $97.3 million and $376.0 million, representing an increase of 8% and 1%, respectively, from the $90.1 million and $372.4 million in total revenues for the same periods of 2015. During the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, Hallmark’s income (loss) before tax was ($6.2) million and $8.5 million as compared to the $5.1 million and $31.9 million reported during the same periods the prior year.
The increase in revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was primarily attributable to higher net premiums earned, net realized gains in the current quarter as compared to net realized losses on our investment portfolio in the prior year quarter, higher net investment income and higher other income partially offset by lower finance charge revenue and lower commission and fee revenue. The higher net premiums earned were driven by higher net premiums written in the Specialty Commercial Segment and Personal Segment.
The decrease in income before tax for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was due primarily to increased losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) of $19.1 million and higher interest expense of $0.3 million partially offset by the increase in revenue discussed above and lower other operating expenses of $1.0 million. The increase in losses and LAE was primarily the result of higher unfavorable net prior year loss reserve development in the Specialty Commercial Segment and Personal Segment, as well as higher current accident year loss trends in each of the reporting segments that was partially offset by higher favorable net prior year loss reserve development in the Standard Commercial Segment. The increase in interest expense was due to interest on a new revolving credit facility (“Facility B”) entered into on December 17, 2015.
The increase in revenue during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily attributable to higher net premiums earned, higher net investment income and higher commission and fee revenue, partially offset by realized losses recognized on the investment portfolio during the current period as compared to realized gains recognized during the same period the prior year and lower finance charges. The increased net premiums earned were primarily attributable to higher net premiums written in the Specialty Commercial Segment and the favorable impact of increased retention under a quota share reinsurance agreement in the Personal Segment effective October 1, 2014, partially offset by the adverse impact on the Standard Commercial Segment of ceding substantially all unearned workers’ compensation premiums effective July 1, 2015.
The decrease in income before tax for the year ended December 31, 2016 was due primarily to increased losses and LAE of $23.5 million, higher operating expenses of $2.8 million and higher interest expense of $0.6 million, partially offset by the increased revenue discussed above. The increase in losses and LAE was primarily the result of unfavorable net prior year loss reserve development and higher current accident year loss trends in the Specialty Commercial Segment and Personal Segment, partially offset by higher favorable net prior year loss reserve development in the Standard Commercial Segment. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, Hallmark recorded unfavorable prior year net loss reserve development of $7.6 million as compared to $7.0 million of favorable prior year net loss reserve development for the same period of 2015. Hallmark incurred an aggregate of $11.0 million of net catastrophe losses during the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to $9.3 million for the same period the prior year. Other operating expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily as the result of increased salary and related expenses in the Specialty Commercial Segment and a $1.8 million payment to settle the earn-out related to a previous acquisition accrued during the second quarter of 2016, partially offset by lower production related expenses predominately in the Specialty Commercial Segment. The increase in interest expense was due to interest on the Facility B revolving credit facility entered into during the fourth quarter of 2015.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, Hallmark’s cash flow provided by operations was $30.9 million compared to cash flow provided by operations of $52.9 million during the same period the prior year. The decrease in operating cash flow was primarily due to increased paid losses, including timing of reinsurance claim settlements, partially offset by increased net collected premiums, lower taxes paid, lower net paid operating expenses and higher collected net investment income.
About Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.
Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. is a diversified specialty property/casualty insurer with offices in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta. Hallmark markets, underwrites and services over half a billion dollars annually in commercial and personal insurance premiums in select markets. Hallmark is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and its common stock is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol "HALL."
Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that actual results may differ substantially from such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, continued acceptance of the Company’s products and services in the marketplace, competitive factors, interest rate trends, general economic conditions, the availability of financing, underwriting loss experience and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Naveen Anand, President and Chief Executive Officer at 817.348.1600
www.hallmarkgrp.com
| Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||
| ($ in thousands, except par value) | Dec. 31 | Dec. 31 | ||||
| ASSETS | 2016 | 2015 | ||||
| Investments: | ||||||
| Debt securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $597,784 in 2016 and $538,629 in 2015) | $ | 597,457 | $ | 531,325 | ||
| Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $31,449 in 2016 and $24,524 in 2015) | 51,711 | 47,050 | ||||
| Other investment (cost; $3,763 in 2016 and $427 in 2015) | 4,951 | 454 | ||||
| Total investments | 654,119 | 578,829 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 79,632 | 114,446 | ||||
| Restricted cash | 7,327 | 8,522 | ||||
| Ceded unearned premiums | 81,482 | 65,094 | ||||
| Premiums receivable | 89,715 | 83,376 | ||||
| Accounts receivable | 2,269 | 2,005 | ||||
| Receivable for securities | 3,047 | 10,424 | ||||
| Reinsurance recoverable | 147,821 | 114,287 | ||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | 19,193 | 20,366 | ||||
| Goodwill | 44,695 | 44,695 | ||||
| Intangible assets, net | 12,491 | 14,959 | ||||
| Deferred federal income taxes, net | 1,365 | 3,360 | ||||
| Federal income tax recoverable | 3,951 | 1,779 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses | 1,552 | 3,213 | ||||
| Other assets | 13,801 | 10,192 | ||||
| Total Assets | $ | 1,162,460 | $ | 1,075,547 | ||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||
| Revolving credit facility payable | $ | 30,000 | $ | 30,000 | ||
| Subordinated debt securities (less unamortized debt issuance cost of $1,001 in 2016 and $1,053 in 2015) | 55,701 | 55,649 | ||||
| Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 481,567 | 450,878 | ||||
| Unearned premiums | 241,254 | 216,407 | ||||
| Reinsurance balances payable | 46,488 | 33,741 | ||||
| Pension liability | 2,203 | 2,496 | ||||
| Payable for securities | 14,215 | 1,097 | ||||
| Accounts payable and other accrued expenses | 25,296 | 23,253 | ||||
| Total Liabilities | 896,724 | 813,521 | ||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||
| Common stock, $.18 par value, authorized 33,333,333 shares; issued 20,872,831 shares in 2016 and 2015 | 3,757 | 3,757 | ||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 123,166 | 123,480 | ||||
| Retained earnings | 148,027 | 141,501 | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 10,371 | 7,418 | ||||
| Treasury stock (2,260,849 shares in 2016 and 1,775,512 shares in 2015), at cost | (19,585 | ) | (14,130 | ) | ||
| Total Stockholders’ Equity | 265,736 | 262,026 | ||||
| Total Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity | $ | 1,162,460 | $ | 1,075,547 | ||
| Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries | |||||||||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Operations | Three Months Ended | Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||
| ($ in thousands, except share amounts) | December 31 | December 31 | |||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||
| Gross premiums written | $ | 129,528 | $ | 123,515 | $ | 549,077 | $ | 514,223 | |||||
| Ceded premiums written | (46,253 | ) | (41,174 | ) | (187,248 | ) | (157,279 | ) | |||||
| Net premiums written | 83,275 | 82,341 | 361,829 | 356,944 | |||||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | 7,275 | 3,162 | (8,459 | ) | (7,863 | ) | |||||||
| Net premiums earned | 90,550 | 85,503 | 353,370 | 349,081 | |||||||||
| Investment income, net of expenses | 4,399 | 3,918 | 16,342 | 13,969 | |||||||||
| Net realized gains (losses) | 930 | (1,185 | ) | (369 | ) | 2,503 | |||||||
| Finance charges | 1,152 | 1,552 | 4,977 | 5,952 | |||||||||
| Commission and fees | 149 | 254 | 1,427 | 213 | |||||||||
| Other income | 74 | 29 | 205 | 684 | |||||||||
| Total revenues | 97,254 | 90,071 | 375,952 | 372,402 | |||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 77,454 | 58,329 | 253,688 | 230,149 | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | 24,206 | 25,175 | 106,769 | 103,993 | |||||||||
| Interest expense | 1,151 | 863 | 4,549 | 3,906 | |||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 617 | 617 | 2,468 | 2,468 | |||||||||
| Total expenses | 103,428 | 84,984 | 367,474 | 340,516 | |||||||||
| Income before tax | (6,174 | ) | 5,087 | 8,478 | 31,886 | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | (2,512 | ) | 1,641 | 1,952 | 10,023 | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | (3,662 | ) | $ | 3,446 | $ | 6,526 | $ | 21,863 | ||||
| Net income per share: | |||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | (0.20 | ) | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.35 | $ | 1.14 | ||||
| Diluted | $ | (0.20 | ) | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.34 | $ | 1.13 | ||||
| Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Segment Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended Dec. 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Specialty Commercial Segment | Standard Commercial Segment | Personal Segment | Corporate | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross premiums written | $ | 93,710 | $ | 87,947 | $ | 17,190 | $ | 18,182 | $ | 18,628 | $ | 17,386 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 129,528 | $ | 123,515 | ||||||||||
| Ceded premiums written | (35,577 | ) | (30,471 | ) | (1,914 | ) | (2,617 | ) | (8,762 | ) | (8,086 | ) | - | - | (46,253 | ) | (41,174 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net premiums written | 58,133 | 57,476 | 15,276 | 15,565 | 9,866 | 9,300 | - | - | 83,275 | 82,341 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | 4,373 | 582 | 1,331 | 1,243 | 1,571 | 1,337 | - | - | 7,275 | 3,162 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | 62,506 | 58,058 | 16,607 | 16,808 | 11,437 | 10,637 | - | - | 90,550 | 85,503 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 66,419 | 61,840 | 17,502 | 17,923 | 12,830 | 12,442 | 503 | (2,134 | ) | 97,254 | 90,071 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 53,716 | 35,496 | 11,113 | 13,133 | 12,625 | 9,700 | - | - | 77,454 | 58,329 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-tax income (loss), net of non-controlling interest | (1,426 | ) | 11,538 | 1,243 | (560 | ) | (2,992 | ) | (289 | ) | (2,999 | ) | (5,602 | ) | (6,174 | ) | 5,087 | |||||||||||||
| Net loss ratio (1) | 85.9 | % | 61.1 | % | 66.9 | % | 78.1 | % | 110.4 | % | 91.2 | % | 85.5 | % | 68.2 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Net expense ratio (1) | 22.3 | % | 25.4 | % | 31.5 | % | 32.5 | % | 21.4 | % | 17.7 | % | 25.5 | % | 27.3 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Net combined ratio (1) | 108.2 | % | 86.5 | % | 98.4 | % | 110.6 | % | 131.8 | % | 108.9 | % | 111.0 | % | 95.5 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Favorable (Unfavorable) Prior Year Development | (10,564 | ) | 295 | 3,531 | 2,697 | (1,358 | ) | (601 | ) | - | - | (8,391 | ) | 2,391 | ||||||||||||||||
1 The net loss ratio is calculated as incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. The net expense ratio is calculated as total underwriting expenses offset by agency fee income divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. The net combined ratio is calculated as the sum of the net loss ratio and the net expense ratio.
| Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Segment Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended Dec. 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Specialty Commercial Segment | Standard Commercial Segment | Personal Segment | Corporate | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross premiums written | $ | 388,914 | $ | 351,050 | $ | 76,891 | $ | 81,892 | $ | 83,272 | $ | 81,281 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 549,077 | $ | 514,223 | ||||||||||
| Ceded premiums written | (139,842 | ) | (109,275 | ) | (8,401 | ) | (10,795 | ) | (39,005 | ) | (37,209 | ) | - | - | (187,248 | ) | (157,279 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net premiums written | 249,072 | 241,775 | 68,490 | 71,097 | 44,267 | 44,072 | - | - | 361,829 | 356,944 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | (7,182 | ) | (4,135 | ) | (980 | ) | 1,516 | (297 | ) | (5,244 | ) | - | - | (8,459 | ) | (7,863 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | 241,890 | 237,640 | 67,510 | 72,613 | 43,970 | 38,828 | - | - | 353,370 | 349,081 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 255,897 | 249,910 | 71,966 | 76,864 | 49,826 | 45,538 | (1,737 | ) | 90 | 375,952 | 372,402 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 169,125 | 148,664 | 41,173 | 47,071 | 43,390 | 34,414 | - | - | 253,688 | 230,149 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-tax income (loss) | 24,417 | 40,277 | 8,866 | 6,687 | (6,839 | ) | (885 | ) | (17,966 | ) | (14,193 | ) | 8,478 | 31,886 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss ratio (1) | 69.9 | % | 62.6 | % | 61.0 | % | 64.8 | % | 98.7 | % | 88.6 | % | 71.8 | % | 65.9 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Net expense ratio (1) | 25.3 | % | 25.6 | % | 33.0 | % | 32.6 | % | 21.5 | % | 19.0 | % | 28.0 | % | 28.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Net combined ratio (1) | 95.2 | % | 88.2 | % | 94.0 | % | 97.4 | % | 120.2 | % | 107.6 | % | 99.8 | % | 93.9 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Favorable (Unfavorable) Prior Year Development | (12,502 | ) | 2,147 | 9,901 | 7,416 | (5,007 | ) | (2,610 | ) | - | - | (7,608 | ) | 6,953 | ||||||||||||||||
1 The net loss ratio is calculated as incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. The net expense ratio is calculated as total underwriting expenses offset by agency fee income divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. The net combined ratio is calculated as the sum of the net loss ratio and the net expense ratio.