RLI Reports 2012 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

PEORIA, Ill.--()--RLI Corp. (NYSE: RLI) – RLI Corp. reported fourth quarter 2012 operating earnings of $19.2 million ($0.89 per share), compared to $28.2 million ($1.31 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2012, operating earnings were $86.9 million ($4.02 per share) compared to $115.5 million ($5.39 per share) for the 2011 fiscal year.

         
  Fourth Quarter   Full Year
Earnings Per Diluted Share   2012   2011*   2012   2011*
Operating earnings (1) $0.89   $1.31 $4.02   $5.39
Net earnings   $1.16   $1.39   $4.79   $5.91
 
*2011 results were revised to reflect the retrospective adoption of a new accounting
standard for policy acquisition costs.
(1) See discussion of non-GAAP financial measures on page 3.
 

Highlights for the quarter included:

  • 11% growth in gross premiums written.
  • Underwriting income of $8.5 million, resulting in a combined ratio of 94.3.
  • $7.5 million net increase in underwriting income resulting from favorable development on prior years’ loss reserves.
  • $13.2 million net decrease in underwriting income resulting from Hurricane Sandy.
  • Special dividend of $5.00 per share, representing $106.3 million returned to shareholders and resulting in a tax benefit of $2.9 million as dividends to the ESOP are fully deductible.
  • $6.6 million dividend from Maui Jim, Inc. resulting in a tax benefit on dividends received from affiliates of $1.8 million.

Highlights for the year included:

  • 12% growth in gross premiums written.
  • Underwriting income of $63.6 million, resulting in a combined ratio of 89.0.
  • 17th consecutive year of underwriting income.
  • Book value per share of $37.45 at year end, representing an increase of 17%, inclusive of dividends.
  • $59.8 million net increase in underwriting income resulting from favorable development on prior years’ loss reserves.
  • $30.8 million net decrease in underwriting income resulting from catastrophe events including Hurricane Sandy.
  • Comprehensive earnings of $129.2 million ($5.99 per share).

“We delivered solid financial results during the fourth quarter,” said RLI Corp. Chairman & CEO Jonathan E. Michael. “We achieved good top line growth and reported a 94.3 combined ratio, despite the impact of Hurricane Sandy.”

“I am also pleased to report favorable underwriting results for the year, particularly in light of increased natural catastrophe events that occurred in the U.S.,” said Michael. “Throughout 2012, we remained focused on disciplined underwriting and execution. We expanded our product portfolio through new business initiatives including the acquisition of Rockbridge Underwriting, the addition of a recreational vehicle insurance product and other initiatives. Our collective efforts during the year resulted in an 89 combined ratio. In addition, we were able to reward our shareholders by returning $106.3 million through a special dividend.”

“Our performance can be attributed to the expertise and dedication of our talented employees. Their hard work has positioned RLI for future growth and will allow us to take advantage of new opportunities created by improving market conditions,” said Michael.

Underwriting income

RLI achieved $8.5 million of underwriting income in the fourth quarter of 2012 on a 94.3 combined ratio, compared to $25.6 million of underwriting income on an 82.3 combined ratio in the same quarter for 2011. The quarter was impacted by hurricane losses with a $13.2 million net decrease in underwriting income due to Hurricane Sandy.

For the year, RLI achieved $63.6 million of underwriting income on an 89.0 combined ratio, compared to $110.2 million of underwriting income on a 79.6 combined ratio in 2011. Results for 2012 include $59.8 million in favorable development in prior years’ loss reserves, compared to $91.7 million in favorable development in prior years’ loss reserves in 2011.

The following table highlights annual underwriting income and combined ratios by segment:

                     
Underwriting Income        
(in millions)   2012   2011* Combined Ratio   2012   2011*
Casualty $25.4 $61.4 Casualty 90.5 74.0
Property 11.7 30.3 Property 94.3 85.1
Surety   26.5   18.5 Surety   75.1   81.3
Total   $63.6   $110.2 Total   89.0   79.6
 
*2011 results were revised to reflect the retrospective adoption of a new accounting standard for
policy acquisition costs.
 

Other income

RLI’s net investment income for the quarter declined 10.8% to $14.5 million, compared to the same period in 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2012, investment income was $58.8 million versus $63.7 million for the 2011 fiscal year. The decline in investment income was due to lower reinvestment rates as well as higher allocation to tax-exempt municipal bonds, which have lower pre-tax yields than taxable alternatives. The investment portfolio’s total return was 0.4% for the quarter. The bond portfolio returned 0.7% in the quarter, and the equity portfolio’s return was -0.8%. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the investment portfolio’s total return was 7.5% with the bond portfolio returning 6.4% and equities returning 11.5%.

Comprehensive earnings, which include after-tax unrealized gains/losses from the investment portfolio, were $13.2 million for the quarter ($0.61 per share) compared to $57.6 million ($2.68 per share) for the same quarter in 2011. Full-year comprehensive earnings were $129.2 million ($5.99 per share), compared to $147.9 million ($6.90 per share) in 2011.

During the quarter, equity in loss of unconsolidated investee was $0.1 million compared to a loss of $0.7 million from the same period last year, both of which reflect seasonal results. These results are related to Maui Jim, Inc., a producer of premium sunglasses. For the year ended December 31, 2012, equity in earnings of unconsolidated investee was $8.9 million, a 36% increase compared to 2011. During the quarter, RLI received a $6.6 million dividend from Maui Jim, Inc., which resulted in a tax benefit on dividends received from affiliates of $1.8 million ($0.09 per share).

Special and regular dividends

On December 20, 2012, RLI paid an extraordinary cash dividend of $5.00 per share, which totaled $106.3 million, and a regular quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share, which totaled $6.8 million. RLI has paid dividends for 146 consecutive quarters and increased regular dividends in each of the last 37 years. The company’s regular quarterly dividend has grown an average of 13.8% over the last 10 years.

Recently adopted accounting standard

As previously disclosed in RLI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, subsequent 10-Q Quarterly Reports, and the Form 8-K Current Report filed on December 17, 2012, accounting guidance for deferred acquisition costs incurred by insurance entities changed in 2012 under ASU 2010-26, Financial Services – Insurance (Topic 944) Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts. Prior period amounts have been presented on a comparative basis.

Non-GAAP measures

Underwriting income, operating earnings, earnings per share (EPS) from operations and other per share items are non-GAAP financial measures, and we believe that investors’ understanding of RLI’s core operating performance is enhanced by our disclosure of these financial measures. Underwriting income or profit represents the pretax profitability of our insurance operations and is derived by subtracting losses and settlement expenses, policy acquisition costs, and insurance operating expenses from net premium earned. Operating earnings and EPS from operations consist of our net earnings adjusted by net realized investment gains/(losses) and taxes related to net realized gains/(losses). Our definitions of these items may not be comparable to the definitions used by other companies. Net earnings and net earnings per share are the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to operating earnings and EPS from operations. All earnings per share data are calculated using fully diluted shares. Combined ratio refers to a GAAP combined ratio.

Other news

At 10 a.m. central time (CT) tomorrow, January 24, 2013, RLI management will hold a conference call to discuss quarterly results with insurance industry analysts. Interested parties may listen to the discussion through the Internet at www.rlicorp.com.

Except for historical information, this news release may include forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) including, without limitation, statements reflecting our current expectations about the future performance of our company or our business segments or about future market conditions. These statements are subject to certain risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. Various risk factors that could affect future results are listed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; including the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2011.

RLI, a specialty insurance company, offers a diversified portfolio of property and casualty coverages and surety bonds serving niche or underserved markets. RLI operates in all 50 states from office locations across the country. RLI’s insurance subsidiaries – RLI Insurance Company, Mt. Hawley Insurance Company, RLI Indemnity Company and Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company – are rated A+ “Superior” by A.M. Best Company.

For additional information, contact Aaron Jacoby, Vice President, Corporate Development at 309-693-5880 or at aaron.jacoby@rlicorp.com or visit our website at www.rlicorp.com.

       

Supplemental disclosure regarding the earnings impact of specific items:

   
Operating Earnings Per Share
2012 2011 2012 2011

4th Qtr

4th Qtr

12 Mos.

12 Mos.

Operating Earnings Per Share $ 0.89 $ 1.31 (1 ) $ 4.02 $ 5.39 (1 )
 
Specific items included in operating earnings per share: (2) (3)

• Favorable development on casualty prior years' reserves

$ 0.15 $ 0.32 $ 1.16 $ 2.27

• Favorable (unfavorable) development on property prior years' reserves

$ 0.09 $ (0.02 ) $ 0.33 $ 0.30

• Favorable (unfavorable) development on surety prior years' reserves

$ (0.02 ) $ 0.02 $ 0.23 $ 0.22

• Catastrophe impact

• 2012 events

$ (0.40 ) $ - $ (0.93 ) $ -

• 2011 and prior events

$ 0.01 $ 0.05 $ 0.08 $ (0.49 )

• Gain from tax benefit of special dividend to ESOP (4)

$ 0.13 $ 0.13 $ 0.13 $ 0.13

• Gain from change in tax rate applicable to Maui Jim (5)

$ 0.09 $ - $ 0.09 $ -
 
(1) 2011 results revised due to the retrospective adoption of a new accounting standard for policy acquisition costs.
 
(2) Includes bonus and profit sharing-related impacts which affected other insurance and general corporate expenses.
 
(3) Reserve development reflects changes from previously estimated losses.
 
(4) Dividends paid in an ESOP on employer securities are fully deductible from taxable income and result in a 35% tax benefit.
 
(5)

As required under the accounting standard for income taxes, the gain reflects the tax benefit of applying the lower tax rate applicable to dividends received from an affiliate (7%) as compared to the corporate capital gains tax rate (35%) on which tax estimates were based.

           
RLI CORP.
2012 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2012 2011 (1) % Change 2012 2011 (1) % Change

SUMMARIZED INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

Net premiums earned $ 147,764 $ 145,023 1.9 % $ 576,571 $ 538,452 7.1 %
Net investment income 14,491 16,244 -10.8 % 58,831 63,681 -7.6 %
Net realized investment gains   9,139     2,691   239.6 %   25,372     17,036   48.9 %
Consolidated revenue 171,394 163,958 4.5 % 660,774 619,169 6.7 %
 
Loss and settlement expenses 78,159 58,048 34.6 % 271,645 200,084 35.8 %
Policy acquisition costs 50,730 49,083 3.4 % 196,362 183,868 6.8 %
Other insurance expenses 10,376 12,265 -15.4 % 44,971 44,312 1.5 %
Interest expense on debt 1,513 1,513 0.0 % 6,050 6,050 0.0 %
General corporate expenses   1,966     2,203   -10.8 %   7,867     7,766   1.3 %
Total expenses 142,744 123,112 15.9 % 526,895 442,080 19.2 %
 
Equity in earnings (loss) of
unconsolidated investee   (75 )   (718 ) 89.6 %   8,853     6,497   36.3 %
 
Earnings before income taxes 28,575 40,128 -28.8 % 142,732 183,586 -22.3 %
Income tax expense   3,478     10,197   -65.9 %   39,386     56,988   -30.9 %
Net earnings $ 25,097   $ 29,931   -16.2 % $ 103,346   $ 126,598   -18.4 %
 
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax   (11,868 )   27,656   -     25,845     21,333   21.2 %
 
Comprehensive earnings $ 13,229   $ 57,587   -77.0 % $ 129,191   $ 147,931   -12.7 %
 

Operating earnings: (2)

 
Net earnings $ 25,097 $ 29,931 -16.2 % $ 103,346 $ 126,598 -18.4 %
 
Less: Realized investment gains, net of tax   5,941     1,749   239.7 %   16,492     11,073   48.9 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings $ 19,156   $ 28,182   -32.0 % $ 86,854   $ 115,525   -24.8 %
 
Return on Equity:
Net earnings (trailing four quarters)   12.4 %   15.7 %
Comprehensive earnings (trailing four quarters)   15.5 %   18.3 %
 
Per Share Data
 

Diluted:

Weighted average shares outstanding (in 000's) 21,590 21,472 21,580 21,434
 
EPS from operations (2) $ 0.89 $ 1.31 -32.1 % $ 4.02 $ 5.39 -25.4 %
Realized gains, net of tax   0.27     0.08   237.5 %   0.77     0.52   48.1 %
Net earnings per share $ 1.16   $ 1.39   -16.5 % $ 4.79   $ 5.91   -19.0 %
 
Comprehensive earnings per share $ 0.61   $ 2.68   -77.2 % $ 5.99   $ 6.90   -13.2 %
 
Cash dividends per share - ordinary $ 0.32 $ 0.30 6.7 % $ 1.26 $ 1.19 5.9 %
Cash dividends per share - special $ 5.00 $ 5.00 - $ 5.00 $ 5.00 -
 
Net Cash Flow provided by Operations $ 24,211   $ 2,069   1,070 % $ 37,365   $ 117,991   -68.3 %
 
(1) Revised due to the retrospective adoption of a new accounting standard for policy acquisition costs.
(2) See discussion of non-GAAP financial measures on page 3.
     
RLI CORP.
2012 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
December 31, December 31,
2012 2011 (1) % Change

SUMMARIZED BALANCE SHEET DATA:

Fixed income $ 1,390,317 $ 1,406,550 -1.2%
(amortized cost - $1,306,084 at 12/31/12)
(amortized cost - $1,345,961 at 12/31/11)
Equity securities 375,788 388,689 -3.3%
(cost - $240,287 at 12/31/12)
(cost - $269,400 at 12/31/11)
Cash and cash equivalents   74,776   105,049 -28.8%
Total investments and cash 1,840,881 1,900,288 -3.1%
 
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable 139,355 124,496 11.9%
Ceded unearned premiums 73,192 61,629 18.8%
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 359,884 353,805 1.7%
Deferred acquisition costs 52,344 52,105 0.5%
Property and equipment 27,987 20,104 39.2%
Investment in unconsolidated investee 52,128 49,968 4.3%
Goodwill and intangibles 76,113 60,482 25.8%
Other assets   22,748   31,957 -28.8%
Total assets $ 2,644,632 $ 2,654,834 -0.4%
 
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses 1,158,483 1,150,714 0.7%
Unearned premiums 369,346 341,267 8.2%
Reinsurance balances payable 43,959 50,861 -13.6%
Funds held 56,633 110,555 -48.8%
Long-term debt - bonds payable 100,000 100,000 0.0%
Income taxes - deferred 55,566 37,867 46.7%
Accrued expenses 49,933 58,883 -15.2%
Other liabilities   14,349   12,053 19.0%
Total liabilities 1,848,269 1,862,200 -0.7%
Shareholders' equity   796,363   792,634 0.5%
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity $ 2,644,632 $ 2,654,834 -0.4%
 
 

OTHER DATA

 
Common shares outstanding (in 000's) 21,263 21,162
 
Book value per share $ 37.45 $ 37.46 0.0%
Closing stock price per share $ 64.66 $ 72.86 -11.3%
Cash dividends per share - ordinary $ 1.26 $ 1.19 5.9%
Cash dividends per share - special $ 5.00 $ 5.00 -
 
Statutory Surplus $ 684,072 $ 710,186 -3.7%
 
(1) Revised due to the retrospective adoption of a new accounting standard for policy acquisition costs.
 
RLI CORP.
2012 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
UNDERWRITING SEGMENT DATA
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                 

Three Months Ended December 31,

GAAP GAAP GAAP GAAP
Casualty Ratios Property Ratios Surety Ratios Total Ratios

2012

 
Gross premiums written $ 102,987 $ 53,344 $ 26,684 $ 183,015
Net premiums written 71,833 35,909 24,844 132,586
Net premiums earned 70,288 50,821 26,655 147,764
Net loss & settlement expenses 42,012 59.8% 31,349 61.7% 4,798 18.0% 78,159 52.9%
Net operating expenses   25,246 35.9%   19,097 37.6%   16,763 62.9%   61,106 41.4%
Underwriting income $ 3,030 95.7% $ 375 99.3% $ 5,094 80.9% $ 8,499 94.3%
 

2011 (1)

 
Gross premiums written $ 86,614 $ 51,542 $ 26,110 $ 164,266
Net premiums written 61,867 36,005 24,497 122,369
Net premiums earned 62,261 55,645 27,117 145,023
Net loss & settlement expenses 31,382 50.4% 21,470 38.6% 5,196 19.2% 58,048 40.0%
Net operating expenses   23,127 37.1%   19,496 35.0%   18,725 69.1%   61,348 42.3%
Underwriting income $ 7,752 87.5% $ 14,679 73.6% $ 3,196 88.3% $ 25,627 82.3%
 
 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

GAAP GAAP GAAP GAAP
Casualty Ratios Property Ratios Surety Ratios Total Ratios

2012

 
Gross premiums written $ 391,639 $ 279,726 $ 113,434 $ 784,799
Net premiums written 284,058 202,971 106,057 593,086
Net premiums earned 267,697 202,402 106,472 576,571
Net loss & settlement expenses 144,106 53.8% 115,707 57.2% 11,832 11.1% 271,645 47.1%
Net operating expenses   98,152 36.7%   75,003 37.1%   68,178 64.0%   241,333 41.9%
Underwriting income $ 25,439 90.5% $ 11,692 94.3% $ 26,462 75.1% $ 63,593 89.0%
 

2011 (1)

 
Gross premiums written $ 325,697 $ 270,097 $ 106,313 $ 702,107
Net premiums written 238,611 210,904 100,123 549,638
Net premiums earned 236,198 203,660 98,594 538,452
Net loss & settlement expenses 85,091 36.0% 101,969 50.1% 13,024 13.2% 200,084 37.2%
Net operating expenses   89,710 38.0%   71,359 35.0%   67,111 68.1%   228,180 42.4%
Underwriting income $ 61,397 74.0% $ 30,332 85.1% $ 18,459 81.3% $ 110,188 79.6%
 
(1) Revised due to the retrospective adoption of a new accounting standard for policy acquisition costs.
 

Contacts

RLI Corp.
Aaron Jacoby, (309) 693-5880
Aaron.Jacoby@rlicorp.com
www.rlicorp.com

Release Summary

RLI Corp. reported fourth quarter 2012 operating earnings of $19.2 million ($0.89 per share), compared to $28.2 million ($1.31 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Contacts

RLI Corp.
Aaron Jacoby, (309) 693-5880
Aaron.Jacoby@rlicorp.com
www.rlicorp.com