HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. ("Third Point Re" or the "Company") (NYSE:TPRE) today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2017.

Third Point Re reported net income of $104.2 million, or $0.98 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2017, compared to a net loss of $51.1 million, or $(0.49) per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2016.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, diluted book value per share increased by $0.88 per share, or 6.7%, to $14.04 per share as of March 31, 2017, from $13.16 per share as of December 31, 2016.

"We are very pleased with our first quarter performance, which resulted in a return on beginning shareholders' equity of 7.4% for the quarter.  This was primarily driven by strong investment returns of 5.8% in the period," commented Rob Bredahl, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Reinsurance underwriting conditions remain challenging, and we have continued to maintain our underwriting discipline.  As a result, our gross premiums written were $146.4 million in the first quarter, which represented a 25.8% decrease compared to the prior year's first quarter. Our combined ratio for the quarter was 106.3%, which was in line with expectations given current market conditions and the lines of business on which we focus. We finished the quarter with an asset leverage ratio of 1.52, which is within our target range and allows us to remain selective in our underwriting without diminishing our potential for solid book value growth with continued investment performance."

"Our first quarter performance demonstrates the strength of our total return model.  Although reinsurance market conditions remain very difficult, we generated strong results due to solid performance from Third Point LLC, our investment manager.  The management transitions we announced during the quarter have gone smoothly and Rob and I look forward to continuing to work closely together with the team to ensure the ongoing success of Third Point Re," commented John Berger, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The following table shows certain key financial metrics for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

Segment Highlights

Property and Casualty Reinsurance Segment

Gross premiums written decreased by $50.8 million, or 25.8%, to $146.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from $197.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

The decrease in the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to one contract that did not renew as a result of underlying terms and conditions, partially offset by contracts renewed in the quarter that did not have comparable premiums in the prior year period and new contracts bound in the quarter.

Net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were consistent with the three months ended March 31, 2016.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, we incurred $1.6 million, or 1.1 percentage points, of net favorable prior years' reserve development. The $1.6 million of net favorable prior years' reserve development for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was accompanied by net increases of $1.6 million in acquisition costs, resulting in minimal impact in net underwriting loss.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, we incurred $0.1 million, or 0.1 percentage points, of net favorable prior years' reserve development. The net $0.1 million of net favorable prior years' reserve development was accompanied by net decreases of $0.1 million in acquisition costs, resulting in a net decrease of $0.2 million in net underwriting loss, or 0.2 percentage points.

Investments

The return on investments managed by Third Point LLC by asset class for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, each investment strategy contributed to returns.  Within equities, gains were led by investments in the healthcare and industrials portfolios and each sector generated positive results.  The gains in our long equity portfolio were partially offset by losses in our short equity positions, which included market hedges.  Performance in the credit strategy was driven by modest returns in our corporate credit portfolio.  The other strategy was also positive as returns from currency and arbitrage investments more than offset losses from macroeconomic hedges. 

Share Repurchase Program

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we repurchased 1,532,871 of our common shares in the open market for an aggregate cost of $18.9 million at a weighted average cost, including commissions, of $12.32 per share. Common shares repurchased by the Company were not canceled and are classified as treasury shares.

As of March 31, 2017, the Company may repurchase up to an aggregate of $73.7 million of additional common shares under its share repurchase program.

Conference Call Details

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2017 results at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on May 5, 2017. The call will be webcast live over the Internet from the Company's website at www.thirdpointre.bm under "Investors". Participants should follow the instructions provided on the website to download and install any necessary audio applications. The conference call is also 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 13660643. The telephonic replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 12, 2017.

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: (i) fluctuation in results of operations; (ii) more established competitors; (iii) losses exceeding reserves; (iv) downgrades or withdrawal of ratings by rating agencies; (v) dependence on key executives; (vi) dependence on letter of credit facilities that may not be available on commercially acceptable terms; (vii) dependence on financing available through our investment accounts to secure letters of credit and collateral for reinsurance contracts; (viii) potential inability to pay dividends; (ix) inability to service our indebtedness; (x) limited cash flow and liquidity due to our indebtedness; (xi) unavailability of capital in the future; (xii) fluctuations in market price of our common shares; (xiii) dependence on clients' evaluations of risks associated with such clients' insurance underwriting; (xiv) suspension or revocation of our  reinsurance licenses; (xv) potentially being deemed an investment company under U.S. federal securities law; (xvi) potential characterization of Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. and/or Third Point Re as a passive foreign investment company; (xvii) future strategic transactions such as acquisitions, dispositions, merger or joint ventures; (xviii) dependence on Third Point LLC to implement our investment strategy; (xix) termination by Third Point LLC of our investment management agreements; (xx) risks associated with our investment strategy being greater than those faced by competitors; (xxi) increased regulation or scrutiny of alternative investment advisers affecting our reputation; (xxii) Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. and/or Third Point Re potentially becoming subject to U.S. federal income taxation; (xxiii) potentially becoming subject to U.S. withholding and information reporting requirements under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act; (xxiv) changes in Bermuda or other law and regulation that may have an adverse impact on our operations; and (xxv) other risks and factors listed under "Risk Factors" in our 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 net investment income on float, book value per share, diluted book value per share and return on beginning shareholders' equity, 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 Reinsurance Company Ltd. and Third Point Reinsurance (USA) Ltd., writes property and casualty reinsurance business.  Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd. and Third Point Reinsurance (USA) Ltd. each have an "A-" (Excellent) financial strength rating from A.M. Best Company, Inc.

Contact

Third Point Reinsurance Ltd.
Manoj Gupta - Head of Investor Relations and Business Development
[email protected]
+1 441-542-3333

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators

Book Value per Share and Diluted Book Value per Share

Book value per share and diluted book value per share are non-GAAP financial measures and there are no comparable GAAP measures. Book value per share is calculated by dividing shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders by the number of issued and outstanding shares at period end, net of treasury shares. Diluted book value per share represents book value per share combined with the impact from dilution of all in-the-money share options issued, warrants and unvested restricted shares outstanding as of any period end. For unvested restricted shares with a performance condition, we include the unvested restricted shares for which we consider vesting to be probable. Change in book value per share is calculated by taking the change in book value per share divided by the beginning of period book value per share. Change in diluted book value per share is calculated by taking the change in diluted book value per share 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.

Net Investment Income on Float

Net investment income on float is an important aspect of our property and casualty reinsurance operation. In an insurance or reinsurance operation, float arises because premiums and proceeds from deposit accounted contracts are collected before losses are paid. In some instances, the interval between receipts and payments can extend over many years. During this time interval, insurance and reinsurance companies invest the premiums received and generate investment returns. Float is not a concept defined by U.S. GAAP and therefore, there are no comparable U.S. GAAP measures. Float, as a result, is considered to be a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe that net investment income generated on float is an important consideration in evaluating the overall contribution of our property and casualty reinsurance operation to our consolidated results. It is also explicitly considered as part of the evaluation of management's performance for purposes of long-term incentive compensation.

Net Investment Return on Investments Managed by Third Point LLC

Net investment return represents the return on our investments managed by Third Point LLC, net of fees. The net investment return on investments managed by Third Point LLC is the percentage change in value of a dollar invested over the reporting period on our investment assets managed by Third Point LLC, net of non-controlling interest. The stated return is net of withholding taxes, which are presented as a component of income tax expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income (loss). Net investment return is the key indicator by which we measure the performance of Third Point LLC, our investment manager. 

Return on Beginning Shareholders' Equity

Return on beginning shareholders' equity as presented is a non-GAAP financial measure. Return on beginning shareholders' equity is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the beginning shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders. We believe that return on beginning shareholders' equity is an important measure because it assists our management and investors in evaluating the Company's profitability. For  the three months ended March 31, 2017, we have also adjusted the beginning shareholders' equity for the impact of the shares repurchased on a weighted average basis. This adjustment increased the stated returns on beginning shareholders' equity.

Asset Leverage

Asset leverage represents net investments managed by Third Point LLC as a percentage of shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders.

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SOURCE Third Point Reinsurance Ltd.