HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. ("Third Point Re" or the "Company") (NYSE:TPRE) today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2020.

Earnings Summary

Third Point Re reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $183.6 million, or $1.99 per diluted common share, for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to net income available to common shareholders of $132.9 million, or $1.43 per diluted common share, for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with those affected by the health, social, and economic impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  Despite the overall loss in the quarter, our capital and liquidity positions remain strong and I would like to commend the efforts of our team, working remotely, who helped produce a combined ratio of 97.0% for the quarter. This improved underwriting result is a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of the company to a specialty reinsurer," commented Dan Malloy, Chief Executive Officer. "Our diluted book value per share at the end of the quarter was $13.05, representing a 13.2% decrease from year end. The decrease was primarily due to a first quarter investment return of negative 7.3% reflecting the market volatility caused by COVID-19. The investment portfolio has already partially recovered some of this loss with a positive 3.5% investment return for April. With our strong capital position, we believe we are well positioned to continue our prudent underwriting and investment strategies."

Additional Information on Financial Results

The following table shows certain key financial metrics for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

Property and Casualty Reinsurance Segment

Gross premiums written

Gross premiums written decreased by $115.5 million, or 36.1%, to $204.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 from $319.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The decrease in gross premiums written was primarily due to certain contracts that we did not renew, including one multi-line contract for $103.2 million which no longer fit our underwriting criteria as part of our shift in underwriting strategy to improve underwriting margins. This decrease was partially offset by new contracts bound in the current year period, including new property catastrophe and specialty contracts in line with our changing underwriting strategy.

Net underwriting results

The improvement in the net underwriting results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was primarily due to this shift in business mix but, was negatively impacted in the quarter from the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 outbreak is causing unprecedented social disruption, global economic volatility, reduced liquidity of capital markets and intervention by various governments around the world.  For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recognized net losses of $9.5 million, net of additional premiums, or 6.5 percentage points on the combined ratio, relating to COVID-19.  These losses were driven primarily by contingency exposures (event cancellation) as well as certain casualty and multi-line quota share contracts.

There are significant uncertainties surrounding the ultimate amount of claims and scope of damage resulting from this pandemic. Our estimate is based on currently available information derived from information provided by cedents. These estimates include losses only related to our estimate of claims incurred as of March 31, 2020.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we recorded improvement in the net underwriting results of $2.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, related to favorable development of prior years' loss reserves net of the related impact of acquisition costs.

Investments

The following is a summary of our total net investments managed by Third Point LLC as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

The following is a summary of the net investment return for our total net investments managed by Third Point LLC for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

The following is a summary of the net investment income (loss) for our total net investments managed by Third Point LLC for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

The following is a summary of the net investment return by investment strategy on total net investments managed by Third Point LLC for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

The first quarter of 2020 presented one of the most challenging investing environments since the financial crisis.  As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, our investment portfolio was susceptible to the sharp market decline due to its concentrated portfolio with elevated equity exposures. Shortly after the sell-off began, Third Point LLC repositioned its portfolio by reducing net equity exposures, primarily by adding hedges. We reassessed our equity portfolio for a COVID-19 scenario and most long equity positions were maintained.  In addition, Third Point LLC initiated several new equity positions in companies that they believe will benefit from changes in behavior due to widespread government stay-at-home orders. Third Point LLC also meaningfully shifted investments to structured and corporate credit securities, including the purchase of credit positions outside of TP Fund, as they believed greater opportunity existed within these asset classes relative to equities. 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, losses from the long equity portfolio drove negative returns for the quarter. The fundamental and event strategies within the long equity portfolio suffered from COVID-19 driven detraction, while, the activist portfolio and its position-specific hedges defended well amidst the volatility. The private portfolio also detracted from overall fund returns for the quarter.  Within credit, gains from structured credit were partially offset by unrealized losses in corporate credit.  The new opportunistic credit purchases made outside of TP Fund also benefited the overall credit returns.

Conference Call Details

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2020 results at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on May 8, 2020. The call will be webcast live over the Internet from the Company's website at www.thirdpointre.bm under the "Investors" section. Participants should follow the instructions provided on the website to download and install any necessary audio applications. The conference call will also be available by dialing 1-877-407-0789 (domestic) or 1-201-689-8562 (international). Participants should ask for the Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. first quarter earnings conference call.

A replay of the live conference call will be available approximately three hours after the call. The replay will be available on the Company's website or by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and entering the replay passcode 13701397. The telephonic replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 15, 2020.

Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company's control. The Company cautions you that the forward-looking information presented in this press release is not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "plan," "seek," "comfortable with," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Actual events, results and outcomes may differ materially from the Company's expectations due to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Although it is not possible to identify all of these risks and factors, they include, among others, the following: results of operations fluctuate and may not be indicative of our prospects; a pandemic or other catastrophic event, including the recent outbreak of COVID-19, may adversely impact our financial condition or results of operations; more established competitors; losses exceeding reserves; highly cyclical property and casualty reinsurance industry; losses from catastrophe exposure; downgrade, withdrawal of ratings or change in rating outlook by rating agencies; significant decrease in our capital or surplus; dependence on key executives; inability to service our indebtedness; limited cash flow and liquidity due to our indebtedness; inability to raise necessary funds to pay principal or interest on debt; potential lack of availability of capital in the future; credit risk associated with the use of reinsurance brokers; future strategic transactions such as acquisitions, dispositions, mergers or joint ventures; technology breaches or failures, including cyber-attacks; lack of control over Third Point Enhanced LP ("TP Fund"); lack of control over the allocation and performance of TP Fund's investment portfolio; dependence on Third Point LLC to implement TP Fund's investment strategy; limited ability to withdraw our capital accounts from TP Fund; decline in revenue due to poor performance of TP Fund's investment portfolio; TP Fund's investment strategy involves risks that are greater than those faced by competitors; termination by Third Point LLC of our or TP Fund's investment management agreements; potential conflicts of interest with Third Point LLC; losses resulting from significant investment positions; credit risk associated with the default on obligations of counterparties; ineffective investment risk management systems; fluctuations in the market value of TP Fund's investment portfolio; trading restrictions being placed on TP Fund's investments; limited termination provisions in our investment management agreements; limited liquidity and lack of valuation data on certain TP Fund's investments; fluctuations in market value of our fixed-income securities; U.S. and global economic downturns; specific characteristics of investments in mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities, in securities of issues based outside the U.S., and in special situation or distressed companies; loss of key employees at Third Point LLC; Third Point LLC's compensation arrangements may incentivize investments that are risky or speculative; increased regulation or scrutiny of alternative investment advisers affecting our reputation; suspension or revocation of our reinsurance licenses; potentially being deemed an investment company under U.S. federal securities law; failure of reinsurance subsidiaries to meet minimum capital and surplus requirements; changes in Bermuda or other law and regulation that may have an adverse impact on our operations; Third Point Re and/or Third Point Re BDA potentially becoming subject to U.S. federal income taxation; potential characterization of Third Point Re and/or Third Point Re BDA as a passive foreign investment company; subjection of our affiliates to the base erosion and anti-abuse tax; potentially becoming subject to U.S. withholding and information reporting requirements under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act; and other risks and factors listed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic and current disclosures filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Financial Metrics

In presenting Third Point Re's results, management has included financial measures that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Such measures, including basic and diluted book value per share and return on beginning shareholders' equity attributable to Third Point Re common shareholders, are referred to as non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. Management believes these measures allow for a more complete understanding of the underlying business. These measures are used to monitor our results and should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of such measures to the most comparable GAAP figures are included in the attached financial information in accordance with Regulation G.

About the Company

The Company is a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange which, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Third Point Re BDA and Third Point Reinsurance (USA) Ltd. ("Third Point Re USA"), writes property and casualty reinsurance business. Third Point Re BDA and Third Point Re USA each have an "A-" (Excellent) financial strength rating from A.M. Best Company, Inc.

Contact
Third Point Reinsurance Ltd.
Christopher S. Coleman - Chief Financial Officer
[email protected]
+1 441-542-3333

THIRD POINT REINSURANCE LTD.
NON-GAAP MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS & KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Non-GAAP Measures

Basic Book Value per Share and Diluted Book Value per Share

Basic book value per share and diluted book value per share are non-GAAP financial measures and there are no comparable GAAP measures. Basic book value per share, as presented, is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated by dividing shareholders' equity attributable to Third Point Re common shareholders by the number of common shares outstanding, excluding the total number of unvested restricted shares, at period end. Diluted book value per share, as presented, is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, we assume that proceeds received from in-the-money options and/or warrants exercised are used to repurchase common shares in the market. For unvested restricted shares with a performance condition, we include the unvested restricted shares for which we consider vesting to be probable. Change in basic book value per share is calculated by taking the difference in basic book value per share for the periods presented divided by the beginning of period book value per share. Change in diluted book value per share is calculated by taking the difference in diluted book value per share for the periods presented divided by the beginning of period diluted book value per share. We believe that long-term growth in diluted book value per share is the most important measure of our financial performance because it allows our management and investors to track over time the value created by the retention of earnings.  In addition, we believe this metric is used by investors because it provides a basis for comparison with other companies in our industry that also report a similar measure.

Return on Beginning Shareholders' Equity Attributable to Third Point Re Common Shareholders

Return on beginning shareholders' equity attributable to Third Point Re common shareholders, as presented, is a non-GAAP financial measure. Return on beginning shareholders' equity attributable to Third Point Re common shareholders is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to Third Point Re common shareholders by the beginning shareholders' equity attributable to Third Point Re common shareholders. We believe that return on beginning shareholders' equity attributable to Third Point Re common shareholders is an important measure because it assists our management and investors in evaluating the Company's profitability. When we repurchase our common shares, we also adjust the beginning shareholders' equity attributable to Third Point Re common shareholders for the impact of the shares repurchased on a weighted average basis. For a period where there was a loss, this adjustment decreased the stated returns on beginning shareholders' equity and for a period where there was a gain, this adjustment increased the stated returns on beginning shareholders' equity.

Key Performance Indicator

Net Investment Return on Investments Managed by Third Point LLC

Net investment return represents the return on our net investments managed by Third Point LLC, net of fees. The net investment return on net investments managed by Third Point LLC is the percentage change in value of a dollar invested over the reporting period on our net investment assets managed by Third Point LLC. The net investment return reflects the combined results of our investments in TP Fund, collateral assets and certain other investment assets managed by Third Point LLC. Net investment return is the key indicator by which we measure the performance of Third Point LLC, our investment manager.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/third-point-re-announces-first-quarter-2020-earnings-results-301055292.html

SOURCE Third Point Reinsurance Ltd.