DALLAS, May 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. (“Hallmark”) (NASDAQ: HALL) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.
| First Quarter | |||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| $ in millions: | |||||
| Net Income (Loss) | $ | 9.3 | $ | (64.3 | ) |
| Operating Income (1) | $ | 4.8 | $ | 4.6 | |
| $ per diluted share: | |||||
| Net Income (Loss) | $ | 0.52 | $ | (3.55 | ) |
| Operating Income (1) | $ | 0.27 | $ | 0.25 | |
(1) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below
Highlights:
- Net income of $9.3 million, or $0.52 per share, in the first quarter of 2021 as compared to net loss of $64.3 million, or $3.55 per share, for the same period of 2020.
- Net combined ratio of 96.1% for the first quarter of 2021 improved from 97.6% for the same period the prior year.
- Substantial rate increases achieved, particularly in the Specialty Commercial Segment, with increases for this business averaging 13% for the quarter.
- Gross premiums written for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 decreased 19% compared to the prior year quarter ended March 31, 2020 and increased 1% compared to the previous quarter ended December 31, 2020. Excluding premiums from the exited binding primary commercial auto business, gross premiums written for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 would have decreased 11% compared to the prior year quarter ended March 31, 2020. (See “Non-GAAP” Financial Measures below).
- Net catastrophe losses were $5.9 million in the first quarter, or 5.7 points of the net combined ratio. Total catastrophe losses include $5.0 million from the February winter storms, which is our maximum retention of losses per event under our catastrophe reinsurance agreement.
- Net investment gains of $5.8 million during the first quarter of 2021, which included $4.4 million of unrealized gains on equity securities, as compared to net investment losses of $29.3 million, which included $35.0 million of unrealized losses on equity and other investment securities, during the same period the prior year.
First Quarter 2021 Financial Review
| First Quarter | ||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | % Change | ||||
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||
| Gross premiums written | $ | 163,018 | $ | 201,589 | -19% | |
| Net premiums written | $ | 93,147 | $ | 126,505 | -26% | |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 104,218 | $ | 123,933 | -16% | |
| Investment income, net of expenses | $ | 3,010 | $ | 4,458 | -32% | |
| Investment gains (losses), net | $ | 5,779 | $ | (29,330 | ) | 120% |
| Net income (loss) | $ | 9,345 | $ | (64,310 | ) | 115% |
| Operating income (1) | $ | 4,780 | $ | 4,584 | 4% | |
| Net income (loss) per share - basic | $ | 0.52 | $ | (3.55 | ) | 115% |
| Net income (loss) per share - diluted | $ | 0.52 | $ | (3.55 | ) | 115% |
| Operating income per share - diluted (1) | $ | 0.27 | $ | 0.25 | 8% | |
| Book value per share | $ | 9.89 | $ | 10.39 | -5% | |
(1) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below
Gross Premiums Written
Gross premiums written were $163.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, representing a decrease of 19% from the $201.6 million in gross premiums written for the same period in 2020.
Net Premiums Written
Net premiums written were $93.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, representing a decrease of 26% from the $126.5 million in net premiums written for the same period of 2020.
Net Premiums Earned
Net premiums earned were $104.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, representing a 16% decrease from the $123.9 million in net premiums earned for the same period in 2020.
Investments
Net investment income was $3.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to $4.5 million during the same period in 2020. The decline in net investment income was primarily due to lower interest rates compared to the same period during 2020 and an increase in the proportion of short-term investments held relative to longer maturity investments.
Net investment gains were $5.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to net investment losses of $29.3 million for the same period in 2020.
Fixed-income securities were $348.5 million at March 31, 2021, with a tax equivalent book yield of 2.5% compared to 2.4% as of March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, the fixed-income portfolio had an average modified duration of 0.9 years and 85% of the securities had remaining time to maturity of five years or less. As of March 31, 2021, 13% of the investment portfolio was invested in equity securities.
Total investments were $402.1 million at March 31, 2021. Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash were $287.3 million. Total investments, cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash were $689.4 million or $37.94 per share.
Pre-Tax Income
Pre-tax income was $11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to a pre-tax loss of $69.6 million reported during the same period in 2020. The improvement in pre-tax results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was predominately driven by the absence of $46.0 million of impairment charges to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets taken during the first quarter of 2020, net investment gains of $5.8 million during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to net investment losses of $29.3 million during the same period in 2020 and favorable prior year loss reserve development of $2.1 million during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to unfavorable prior year loss reserve development of $8.6 million during the same period the prior year.
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses (“LAE”) and Net Combined Ratios
The net combined ratio was 96.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, as compared to 97.6% for the same period during 2020.
Losses and LAE for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 decreased $22.5 million as compared to the same period during 2020 due to improved prior year loss reserve development and lower net premiums earned, partially offset by increases in current accident year loss trends due primarily to the February winter storms. There was $2.1 million of net favorable prior year loss reserve development during the quarter ended March 31, 2021 as compared to net unfavorable prior year loss reserve development of $8.6 million during the same period in 2020. Net catastrophe losses were $5.9 million during the first quarter ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $6.0 million during 2020.
The net loss ratio was 68.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to 75.4% reported during the same period in 2020. Catastrophe losses contributed 5.7 points to the net loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to 4.9 points for the same period during 2020. Net favorable prior year loss reserve development reduced the net loss ratio by 2.0 points for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to 6.9 points contributed to the net loss ratio from net unfavorable prior year loss reserve development for the same period during 2020.
The expense ratio was 28.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to 22.2% during the same period in 2020. The Company reported a net combined ratio of 96.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to 97.6% during the same period in 2020.
Net Income (Loss)
Net income was $9.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to a net loss of $64.3 million for the same period during 2020.
On a diluted basis per share, net income was $0.52 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to a net loss of $3.55 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Book Value Per Share
Book value per share increased 5% to $9.89 per share as of March 31, 2021 as compared to $9.42 per share as of December 31, 2020.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). However, the Company also presents and discusses certain non-GAAP financial measures that it believes are useful to investors as measures of operating performance. Management may also use such non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating the effectiveness of business strategies and for planning and budgeting purposes. However, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as an alternative or substitute for the results reflected in the Company’s GAAP financial statements. In addition, the Company’s definitions of these items may not be comparable to the definitions used by other companies.
Operating income and operating income per share are calculated by excluding net investment gains and losses and impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets (“Impairments”) from GAAP net income. The Impairments are unusual and infrequent charges for the Company. Management believes that operating income and operating income per share provide useful information to investors about the performance of and underlying trends in the Company’s core insurance operations. Net income and net income per share are the GAAP measures that are most directly comparable to operating income and operating income per share. A reconciliation of operating income and operating income per share to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is presented below.
| Weighted | |||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) | Less Tax | Net | Average | Diluted | |||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Before Tax | Effect | After Tax | Shares Diluted | Per Share | ||||||||
| First Quarter 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Reported GAAP measures | $ | 11,700 | $ | 2,355 | $ | 9,345 | 18,142 | $ | 0.52 | ||||
| Excluded investment (gains)/losses | $ | (5,779 | ) | $ | (1,214 | ) | $ | (4,565 | ) | 18,142 | $ | (0.25 | ) |
| Operating income | $ | 5,921 | $ | 1,141 | $ | 4,780 | 18,142 | $ | 0.27 | ||||
| First Quarter 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Reported GAAP measures | $ | (69,586 | ) | $ | (5,276 | ) | $ | (64,310 | ) | 18,123 | $ | (3.55 | ) |
| Excluded impairment of goodwill | |||||||||||||
| and other intangible assets | $ | 45,996 | $ | 273 | $ | 45,723 | 18,123 | $ | 2.52 | ||||
| Excluded investment (gains)/losses | $ | 29,330 | $ | 6,159 | $ | 23,171 | 18,123 | $ | 1.28 | ||||
| Operating income | $ | 5,740 | $ | 1,156 | $ | 4,584 | 18,123 | $ | 0.25 | ||||
In February 2020, Hallmark made the strategic decision to exit the contract binding line of the primary automobile business as a result of increasing claim severity and limited opportunity for meaningful rate increases. At that time, the Company began the process of non-renewing policies and placing in-force policies in runoff in accordance with state regulatory guidelines. Management believes that presenting gross premiums written excluding the contract binding line of the primary automobile business provides useful information to investors about the impact of this decision. A reconciliation of GAAP gross premiums written to gross premiums written excluding the contract binding line of the primary automobile business is presented below.
| First Quarter | |||||
| 2021 | 2020 | % Change | |||
| ($ in thousands) | |||||
| Reported gross premiums written | $ | 163,018 | $ | 201,589 | -19% |
| Less primary binding commercial auto | $ | 132 | $ | 18,432 | -99% |
| Gross premiums written excluding | |||||
| primary binding commercial auto | $ | 162,886 | $ | 183,157 | -11% |
About Hallmark
Hallmark is a specialty property and casualty insurance holding company with a diversified portfolio of insurance products written on a national platform. With six insurance subsidiaries, Hallmark markets, underwrites and services commercial and personal insurance in select markets. Hallmark is headquartered in Dallas, 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 materially 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:
Chris Kenney
Chief Accounting Officer
817.348.1600
www.hallmarkgrp.com
| Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||
| ($ in thousands, except par value) | Mar. 31 | Dec. 31 | ||||
| ASSETS | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Investments: | (unaudited) | |||||
| Debt securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $344,232 in 2021 and $502,167 in 2020) | $ | 348,525 | $ | 507,279 | ||
| Equity securities (cost: $46,847 in 2021 and $26,988 in 2020) | 53,621 | 29,388 | ||||
| Total investments | 402,146 | 536,667 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 281,849 | 102,580 | ||||
| Restricted cash | 5,434 | 5,728 | ||||
| Ceded unearned premiums | 134,206 | 138,926 | ||||
| Premiums receivable | 109,799 | 120,332 | ||||
| Accounts receivable | 4,625 | 5,967 | ||||
| Receivable for securities | 1,382 | 913 | ||||
| Reinsurance recoverable | 494,815 | 490,231 | ||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | 16,386 | 17,840 | ||||
| Intangible assets, net | 1,196 | 1,322 | ||||
| Federal income tax recoverable | 23,855 | 25,642 | ||||
| Deferred federal income taxes, net | 8,319 | 8,724 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses | 6,679 | 2,648 | ||||
| Other assets | 26,852 | 28,013 | ||||
| Total Assets | $ | 1,517,543 | $ | 1,485,533 | ||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||
| Senior unsecured notes due 2029 (less unamortized debt issuance costs of $819 in 2021 and $844 in 2020) | $ | 49,180 | $ | 49,156 | ||
| Subordinated debt securities (less unamortized debt issuance costs of $782 in 2021 and $795 in 2020) | 55,920 | 55,907 | ||||
| Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 812,272 | 789,768 | ||||
| Unearned premiums | 305,015 | 320,806 | ||||
| Reinsurance payable | 51,673 | 46,700 | ||||
| Pension liability | 1,749 | 1,859 | ||||
| Payable for securities | 10,979 | - | ||||
| Accounts payable and other accrued expenses | 51,003 | 50,415 | ||||
| Total Liabilities | 1,337,791 | 1,314,611 | ||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||
| Common stock, $.18 par value, authorized 33,333,333 shares; issued 20,872,831 shares in 2021 and 2020 | 3,757 | 3,757 | ||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 122,725 | 122,893 | ||||
| Retained earnings | 78,260 | 68,915 | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | (229 | ) | 383 | |||
| Treasury stock (2,701,799 shares in 2021 and 2,730,673 shares in 2020), at cost | (24,761 | ) | (25,026 | ) | ||
| Total Stockholders Equity | 179,752 | 170,922 | ||||
| Total Liabilities & Stockholders Equity | $ | 1,517,543 | $ | 1,485,533 | ||
| Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Operations | Three Months Ended | |||||
| ($ in thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited) | March 31, | |||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Gross premiums written | $ | 163,018 | $ | 201,589 | ||
| Ceded premiums written | (69,871 | ) | (75,084 | ) | ||
| Net premiums written | 93,147 | 126,505 | ||||
| Change in unearned premiums | 11,071 | (2,572 | ) | |||
| Net premiums earned | 104,218 | 123,933 | ||||
| Investment income, net of expenses | 3,010 | 4,458 | ||||
| Investment gains (losses), net | 5,779 | (29,330 | ) | |||
| Finance charges | 1,133 | 1,644 | ||||
| Commission and fees | 260 | 324 | ||||
| Other income | 19 | 19 | ||||
| Total revenues | 114,419 | 101,048 | ||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 70,903 | 93,405 | ||||
| Operating expenses | 30,441 | 29,148 | ||||
| Interest expense | 1,249 | 1,468 | ||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets | - | 45,996 | ||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 126 | 617 | ||||
| Total expenses | 102,719 | 170,634 | ||||
| Income (loss) before tax | 11,700 | (69,586 | ) | |||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 2,355 | (5,276 | ) | |||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 9,345 | $ | (64,310 | ) | |
| Net income (loss) per share: | ||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.52 | $ | (3.55 | ) | |
| Diluted | $ | 0.52 | $ | (3.55 | ) | |
| Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Segment Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended Mar. 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Specialty Commercial Segment | Standard Commercial Segment | Personal Segment | Corporate | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands, unaudited) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross premiums written | $ | 113,990 | $ | 149,470 | $ | 29,735 | $ | 26,376 | $ | 19,293 | $ | 25,743 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 163,018 | $ | 201,589 | |||||||||
| Ceded premiums written | (59,554 | ) | (63,964 | ) | (10,250 | ) | (7,463 | ) | (67 | ) | (3,657 | ) | - | - | (69,871 | ) | (75,084 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net premiums written | 54,436 | 85,506 | 19,485 | 18,913 | 19,226 | 22,086 | - | - | 93,147 | 126,505 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | 15,141 | 1,466 | (2,419 | ) | (2,495 | ) | (1,651 | ) | (1,543 | ) | - | - | 11,071 | (2,572 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | 69,577 | 86,972 | 17,066 | 16,418 | 17,575 | 20,543 | - | - | 104,218 | 123,933 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 71,965 | 92,120 | 17,688 | 17,636 | 18,959 | 22,323 | 5,807 | (31,031 | ) | 114,419 | 101,048 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 44,407 | 60,883 | 12,091 | 11,855 | 14,405 | 20,667 | - | - | 70,903 | 93,405 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-tax income (loss) | 11,821 | 16,292 | 366 | 716 | (1,623 | ) | (5,655 | ) | 1,136 | (80,939 | ) | 11,700 | (69,586 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss ratio (1) | 63.8 | % | 70.0 | % | 70.8 | % | 72.2 | % | 82.0 | % | 100.6 | % | 68.0 | % | 75.4 | % | |||||||||||||
| Net expense ratio (1) | 24.0 | % | 17.7 | % | 31.6 | % | 32.5 | % | 30.4 | % | 28.4 | % | 28.1 | % | 22.2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Net combined ratio (1) | 87.8 | % | 87.7 | % | 102.4 | % | 104.7 | % | 112.4 | % | 129.0 | % | 96.1 | % | 97.6 | % | |||||||||||||
| Net Favorable (Unfavorable) Prior Year Development | 1,899 | (3,153 | ) | 1,361 | (125 | ) | (1,174 | ) | (5,281 | ) | 2,086 | (8,559 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
(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.
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