Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 26, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:KNSL) reported net income of $5.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $6.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2017 reflected a charge of $1.9 million, $0.09 per diluted share, for the re-measurement of deferred tax balances resulting from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). Net income was $24.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $26.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Net income for the full year of 2017 included after-tax catastrophe losses of $5.9 million, primarily related to Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, and a charge of $1.9 million related to the TCJA.  Net income for the full year of 2016 included after-tax catastrophe losses of $0.7 million.

Highlights for the fourth quarter of 2017 included:

  • 10.1% annualized return on equity (ROE) for the three months ended December 31, 2017

  • Net income of $5.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, a decrease of 13.8% from the fourth quarter of 2016

  • Diluted earnings per share of $0.27 for the fourth quarter of 2017

  • 20.0% growth in gross written premiums to $56.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017

  • Underwriting income (1) of $8.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, resulting in a combined ratio of 83.1%

  • 47.1% increase in net investment income to $3.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017

Highlights for the fourth quarter of 2017 adjusted to exclude the TCJA charge:

  • 13.3% adjusted annualized ROE (1) for the three months ended December 31, 2017

  • Adjusted net income (1) of $7.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, an increase of 14.1% from the fourth quarter of 2016

  • Adjusted diluted earnings per share (1) of $0.36 for the fourth quarter of 2017

Highlights for the full year of 2017 included:

  • 11.1% ROE for the year ended December 31, 2017

  • Net income of $24.9 million for the full year of 2017, a decrease of 4.8% from 2016

  • Diluted earnings per share of $1.16 for the full year of 2017

  • 18.4% growth in gross written premiums to $223.2 million in 2017

  • Underwriting income (1) of $28.2 million for the full year of 2017, resulting in a combined ratio of 84.0%

  • 41.2% increase in net investment income to $10.6 million in 2017

Highlights for the full year of 2017 adjusted to exclude the TCJA charge:

  • 11.9% adjusted ROE (1) for the year ended December 31, 2017

  • Adjusted net income (1) of $26.8 million in the full year of 2017, an increase of 2.5% from 2016

  • Adjusted diluted earnings per share (1) of $1.25 for the full year of 2017

(1) See the tables below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation of underwriting income, adjusted ROE, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share, each of which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

"Premium growth remained strong during the fourth quarter, with an increase in gross written premiums of 20% over last year. Our fourth quarter combined ratio of 83.1% reflected profitable underwriting results despite volatility from catastrophe losses and modest development of reserves from prior accident years. For the year, we achieved a combined ratio of 84.0%, which included 5.1 points of catastrophe losses incurred offset by 6.4 points of favorable development on reserves from prior accident years. The strong results for both the fourth quarter and full year of 2017 reflect the resilience of our business model and the underwriting discipline ingrained in our culture,” said President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael P. Kehoe.

Results of Operations

Underwriting Results

Gross written premiums were $56.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $47.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 20.0%. Gross written premiums were $223.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $188.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 18.4%. The increase in gross written premiums for the fourth quarter and the full year of 2017 over the same periods last year was due to continued growth across most lines of business.

For the first nine months of 2016, the Company participated in a quota share reinsurance agreement ("multiple line quota share" or "MLQS") whereby it transferred part of its risk to reinsurers that received a proportion of the gross written premiums on that business. The Company commuted its 2016 MLQS on October 1, 2016, and did not renew the MLQS program for the 2017 calendar year. For comparative purposes, an exhibit showing the calculation of underwriting income excluding the effects of the MLQS is included under the "Summary of Operating Results" section below.

Underwriting income was $8.0 million, resulting in a combined ratio of 83.1%, for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $9.5 million, resulting in a combined ratio of 75.3% for the same period last year. Loss and expense ratios were 59.2% and 23.9%, respectively, for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to 50.5% and 24.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Results for the fourth quarter of 2017 reflected upward development of reserves from prior accident years of $0.6 million. Results for the fourth quarter of 2016 reflected favorable development of reserves from prior accident years of $3.8 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, underwriting income was $28.2 million, resulting in a combined ratio of 84.0%, compared to $34.3 million, resulting in a combined ratio of 74.3% for same period last year. Loss and expense ratios were 58.9% and 25.1%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to 53.0% and 21.3%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the loss ratio included 5.1 points related to net catastrophe losses, primarily from Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. Excluding the MLQS, underwriting income for the full year 2016 was $35.0 million, or a year-over-year decrease of 19.3% for the full year of 2017 compared to the full year of 2016. This decrease was due to higher net catastrophe losses and lower net favorable prior year loss reserve development, offset in part by an increase in net earned premiums. Adjusted loss and expense ratios, each of which excludes the effects of the MLQS, were 50.0% and 26.8%, respectively, for the full year of 2016.

See the tables below under "Summary of Operating Results" for a reconciliation of adjusted loss and expense ratios, which are non-GAAP financial measures.

Investment Results

The Company’s net investment income was $3.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $2.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, an increase of 47.1%. Net investment income was $10.6 million for the full year of 2017 compared to $7.5 million for the full year of 2016. The Company’s investment portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, had a gross investment return of 2.4% for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to 2.2% for the year ended December 31, 2016. Funds are generally invested conservatively in high quality securities, including government agency, mortgage-backed, municipal and corporate bonds with an average credit quality of "AA." The weighted average duration of the fixed maturity investment portfolio, including cash equivalents, was 3.9 years at December 31, 2017 and 3.7 years at December 31, 2016. Cash and invested assets totaled $561.1 million at December 31, 2017 compared to $480.3 million at December 31, 2016.

Effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

The TCJA was signed into law on December 22, 2017, which among other provisions, lowered the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and modified the manner in which property and casualty insurance loss reserves are computed for federal income tax purposes. U.S. GAAP requires companies to recognize the effect of tax law changes in the period of enactment. As a result, the Company remeasured its deferred tax balances in the fourth quarter of 2017 to reflect the provisions under the TCJA. The re-measurement decreased the Company's net deferred tax asset and increased tax expense by $1.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter and full year of 2017. The effective tax rates for the fourth quarter of 2017 and 2016 were 47.2% and 33.3%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were 35.4%  and 33.8%, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rates for the three months and year ended December 31, 2017 reflected the non-cash charge to remeasure the Company's deferred tax balances related to TCJA. In addition, the effective tax rates for the fourth quarter and full year of 2017 reflected tax benefits related to higher levels of tax-exempt interest income from municipal bonds and the recognition of tax benefits from share-based compensation.

Other

Other expenses for the full year of 2017 were comprised primarily of costs related to the Company's secondary common stock offering, which occurred during the second quarter of 2017. Other expenses for the full year of 2016 were comprised primarily of interest expense related to a note payable that was repaid in the fourth quarter of 2016 and costs from the Company's initial public and secondary common stock offerings, which occurred during the latter half of 2016.

Total comprehensive income, which includes the change in after-tax unrealized gains and losses from the Company’s investment portfolio, was $7.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2016. Total comprehensive income was $31.3 million for the full year of 2017 compared to $25.5 million for the full year of 2016. The change in unrealized gains on investments during the fourth quarter and full year of 2017 was attributable to higher overall fair values in the Company's equity securities, as the equity markets remained strong, and higher valuations of fixed-maturity securities, particularly in the municipal bond sector.

Stockholders' equity was $238.2 million at December 31, 2017, compared to $210.2 million at December 31, 2016. Return on equity was 11.1% for the full year of 2017, down from 16.2% for the full year of 2016, which was attributable to higher catastrophe losses incurred, lower favorable development of reserves from prior accident years and the non-cash charge related to the TCJA.

Summary of Operating Results

The Company’s operating results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are summarized as follows:

    
 Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
 ($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums$56,943  $47,466  $223,191  $188,478 
Ceded written premiums(8,477) 2,696  (33,719) (21,214)
Net written premiums$48,466  $50,162  $189,472  $167,264 
        
Net earned premiums$47,538  $38,462  $176,053  $133,816 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses28,146  19,435  103,680  70,961 
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses11,371  9,520  44,146  28,551 
Underwriting income (1)$8,021  $9,507  $28,227  $34,304 
        
Loss ratio59.2% 50.5% 58.9% 53.0%
Expense ratio23.9% 24.8% 25.1% 21.3%
Combined ratio83.1% 75.3% 84.0% 74.3%
        
Annualized return on equity (2)10.1% 13.1% 11.1% 16.2%
            

The following table summarizes the effect of the catastrophe losses and prior year development, net of reinsurance, on the loss ratio for the three months and year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:

    
 Three Months Ended
December 31, 2017
 Three Months Ended
December 31, 2016
 Losses and loss
adjustment
expenses
 % of Earned
Premiums
 Losses and loss
adjustment
expenses
 % of Earned
Premiums
Loss ratio:($ in thousands)
Current accident year$26,750  56.3% $22,292  57.9%
Current accident year - catastrophe losses845  1.8% 991  2.6%
Effect of prior year development551  1.1% (3,848) (10.0)%
Total$28,146  59.2% $19,435  50.5%
              


    
 Year Ended
 December 31, 2017
 Year Ended
 December 31, 2016
 Losses and loss
adjustment
expenses
 % of Earned
Premiums
 Losses and loss
adjustment
expenses
 % of Earned
Premiums
Loss ratio:($ in thousands)
Current accident year$105,958  60.2% $82,576  61.7%
Current accident year - catastrophe losses9,002  5.1% 1,099  0.8%
Effect of prior year development(11,280) (6.4)% (12,714) (9.5)%
Total$103,680  58.9% $70,961  53.0%
              

The following tables summarize the effect of the MLQS for the three months and year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 
 Three Months Ended
December 31, 2017
 Three Months Ended
December 31, 2016
 Including
 Quota Share
 Effects of
Quota Share
 Excluding
Quota Share
 Including
 Quota Share
 Effects of
Quota Share
 Excluding
Quota Share
 ($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums$56,943  $  $56,943  $47,466  $  $47,466 
Ceded written premiums(8,477)   (8,477) 2,696  11,043  (8,347)
Net written premiums$48,466  $  $48,466  $50,162  $11,043  $39,119 
            
Net earned premiums$47,538  $  $47,538  $38,462  $  $38,462 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:           
Current accident year(26,750)   (26,750) (22,292)   (22,292)
Current accident year - catastrophes(845)   (845) (991)   (991)
Development on prior accident years(551)   (551) 3,848  (1,217) 5,065 
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses(28,146)   (28,146) (19,435) (1,217) (18,218)
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses(11,371)   (11,371) (9,520) 1,217  (10,737)
Underwriting income (1)$8,021  $  $8,021  $9,507  $  $9,507 
            
Loss ratio59.2% %   50.5% %  
Expense ratio23.9% %   24.8% %  
Combined ratio83.1% %   75.3% %  
            
Adjusted loss ratio (3)    59.2%     47.4%
Adjusted expense ratio (3)    23.9%     27.9%
Adjusted combined ratio (3)    83.1%     75.3%
                  


    
 Year Ended December 31, 2017 Year Ended December 31, 2016
 Including
 Quota Share
 Effects of
Quota Share
 Excluding
Quota Share
 Including
 Quota Share
 Effects of
Quota Share
 Excluding
Quota Share
 ($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums$223,191  $  $223,191  $188,478  $  $188,478 
Ceded written premiums(33,719)   (33,719) (21,214) 10,269  (31,483)
Net written premiums$189,472  $  $189,472  $167,264  $10,269  $156,995 
            
Net earned premiums$176,053  $  $176,053  $133,816  $(16,996) $150,812 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:           
Current accident year(105,958)   (105,958) (82,576) 9,339  (91,915)
Current accident year - catastrophes(9,002)   (9,002) (1,099)   (1,099)
Development on prior accident years11,280    11,280  12,714  (4,959) 17,673 
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses(103,680)   (103,680) (70,961) 4,380  (75,341)
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses(44,146)   (44,146) (28,551) 11,936  (40,487)
Underwriting income (1)$28,227  $  $28,227  $34,304  $(680) $34,984 
            
Loss ratio58.9% %   53.0% 25.8%  
Expense ratio25.1% %   21.3% 70.2%  
Combined ratio84.0% %   74.3% 96.0%  
            
Adjusted loss ratio (3)    58.9%     50.0%
Adjusted expense ratio (3)    25.1%     26.8%
Adjusted combined ratio (3)    84.0%     76.8%
                  

(1)  Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure. See discussion of "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

(2)  Return on equity is net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period.

(3)  Adjusted loss ratio, adjusted expense ratio and adjusted combined ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. See discussion of "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Underwriting Income

Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure that is useful in evaluating the Company's underwriting performance without regard to investment income. Underwriting income represents the pre-tax profitability of the Company's insurance operations and is derived by subtracting losses and loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses from net earned premiums. The Company uses underwriting income as an internal performance measure in the management of its operations because the Company believes it gives management and users of the Company's financial information useful insight into the Company's results of operations and underlying business performance. Underwriting income should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and other companies may define underwriting income differently.

Net income for the three months and year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, reconciles to underwriting income as follows:

     
  Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
  (in thousands)
Net income $5,924  $6,871  $24,901  $26,167 
Income tax expense 5,301  3,429  13,620  13,369 
Income before income taxes 11,225  10,300  38,521  39,536 
Other expenses   1,098  429  2,567 
Net investment income (3,086) (2,098) (10,569) (7,487)
Net realized investment (gains) losses (115) 207  (151) (176)
Other income (3)   (3) (136)
Underwriting income $8,021  $9,507  $28,227  $34,304 
                 

Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted net income excludes the earnings impact of the deferred tax revaluation recognized resulting from the enactment of the TCJA in December 2017. Management believes the exclusion of this item provides a more useful comparison of the Company's underlying business performance from period to period. Adjusted net income and percentages or calculations using adjusted net income (e.g. Adjusted diluted earnings per share and Adjusted ROE) are non-GAAP financial measures.

     
  Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
  (in thousands)    
Adjusted net income:        
Net income $5,924  $6,871  $24,901  $26,167 
TCJA charge 1,915    1,915   
Adjusted net income $7,839  $6,871  $26,816  $26,167 
         
Adjusted diluted earnings per share:        
Diluted earnings per share - common stock $0.27  $0.32  $1.16  $0.56 
TCJA charge per share 0.09    0.09   
Adjusted diluted earnings per share - common stock $0.36  $0.32  $1.25  $0.56 
         
Common stock - Class A $  $  $  $0.98 
Common stock - Class B $  $  $  $0.46 
         
Adjusted ROE:        
Average equity (1) $234,974  $210,049  $224,202  $161,833 
Adjusted average equity (2) $235,931  $210,049  $225,159  $161,833 
Return on equity (3) 10.1% 13.1% 11.1% 16.2%
Adjusted ROE (4) 13.3% 13.1% 11.9% 16.2%
             

(1)    Computed by adding the total equity as of the date indicated to the prior quarter-end or year-end total, as applicable, and dividing by two.

(2)    Adjusted average equity is computed by adjusting for the impact of the non-GAAP adjustment on average equity, as applicable.

(3)    Return on equity is net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period.

(4)    Adjusted ROE, return on equity is adjusted net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending adjusted stockholders’ equity during the period.

Adjusted Loss and Expense Ratios

Adjusted loss ratio, adjusted expense ratio and adjusted combined ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company defines its adjusted loss ratio, adjusted expense ratio and adjusted combined ratio as each of its loss ratio, expense ratio and combined ratio, respectively, excluding the effects of the MLQS. The Company uses these adjusted ratios as internal performance measures in the management of its operations because the Company believes they give management and other users of the Company's financial information useful insight into the Company's results of operations and underlying business performance. The Company's adjusted loss ratio, adjusted expense ratio and adjusted combined ratio should not be viewed as substitutes for its loss ratio, expense ratio and combined ratio, respectively, which are presented in accordance with GAAP.

Conference Call

Kinsale Capital Group will hold a conference call to discuss this press release on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). Members of the public may access the conference call by dialing (844) 239-5282, conference ID# 4987007, or via the Internet by going to www.kinsalecapitalgroup.com and clicking on the "Investor Relations" link. A replay of the call will be available on the website until the close of business on April 27, 2018.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, such forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as "believe," "expect," "seek," "may," "will," "intend," "project," "plan," "estimate" or similar words. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Although it is not possible to identify all of these risks and factors, they include, among others, the following: inadequate loss reserves to cover the Company's actual losses; adverse economic factors; inherent uncertainty of models resulting in actual losses that are materially different than the Company's estimates; a decline in the Company's financial strength rating; loss of one or more key executives; loss of a group of brokers that generate significant portions of the Company's business; failure of any of the loss limitations or exclusions the Company employs, or change in other claims or coverage issues; adverse performance of the Company's investment portfolio; adverse market conditions that affect its E&S insurance operations; and other risks described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

About Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. is a specialty insurance group headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, focusing on the excess and surplus lines market.

Contact

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.
Bryan Petrucelli
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
804-289-1272
[email protected]

 
KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
 
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Year Ended
December 31,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Revenues (in thousands, except per share data)
Gross written premiums $56,943  $47,466  $223,191  $188,478 
Ceded written premiums (8,477) 2,696  (33,719) (21,214)
Net written premiums 48,466  50,162  189,472  167,264 
Change in unearned premiums (928) (11,700) (13,419) (33,448)
Net earned premiums 47,538  38,462  176,053  133,816 
         
Net investment income 3,086  2,098  10,569  7,487 
Net realized investment gains (losses):        
Net realized investment gains, excluding other-than temporary impairment losses 115  69  151  452 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses   (276)   (276)
Net realized investment gains (losses) 115  (207) 151  176 
Other income 3    3  136 
Total revenues 50,742  40,353  186,776  141,615 
         
Expenses        
Losses and loss adjustment expenses 28,146  19,435  103,680  70,961 
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses 11,371  9,520  44,146  28,551 
Other expenses   1,098  429  2,567 
Total expenses 39,517  30,053  148,255  102,079 
Income before income taxes 11,225  10,300  38,521  39,536 
Total income tax expense 5,301  3,429  13,620  13,369 
Net income 5,924  6,871  24,901  26,167 
         
Other comprehensive income        
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of taxes 1,498  (5,655) 6,384  (640)
Total comprehensive income $7,422  $1,216  $31,285  $25,527 
         
Earnings per share - basic:        
Common stock $0.28  $0.33  $1.19  $0.57 
Common stock - Class A $  $  $  $0.98 
Common stock - Class B $  $  $  $0.48 
Earnings per share - diluted:        
Common stock $0.27  $0.32  $1.16  $0.56 
Common stock - Class A $  $  $  $0.98 
Common stock - Class B $  $  $  $0.46 
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic:        
Common stock 21,033  20,969  20,992  20,841 
Common stock - Class A       13,844 
Common stock - Class B       1,574 
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted:        
Common stock 21,584  21,281  21,498  21,073 
Common stock - Class A       13,844 
Common stock - Class B       1,644 
             


 
KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
  December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Assets (in thousands)
Investments:    
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale $425,191  $411,223 
Equity securities available-for-sale 54,132  18,374 
Total investments 479,323  429,597 
     
Cash and cash equivalents 81,747  50,752 
Investment income due and accrued 3,077  2,293 
Premiums receivable, net 19,787  16,984 
Receivable from reinsurers   8,567 
Reinsurance recoverable 49,593  70,317 
Ceded unearned premiums 13,858  13,512 
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net of ceding commissions 11,775  10,150 
Intangible assets 3,538  3,538 
Deferred income tax asset, net 2,492  6,605 
Other assets 2,659  2,074 
Total assets $667,849  $614,389 
     
Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity    
Liabilities:    
Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses $315,717  $264,801 
Unearned premiums 103,110  89,344 
Payable to reinsurers 3,226  4,090 
Funds held for reinsurers   36,497 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 6,519  8,752 
Other 1,088  691 
Total liabilities 429,660  404,175 
     
Stockholders' equity 238,189  210,214 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $667,849  $614,389