Atlas Financial Holdings Announces 2016 Third Quarter Financial Results

Company to Hold Conference Call on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. ET

Third Quarter 2016 Financial Performance Summary (comparisons to Third Quarter 2015 unless noted):

  • Gross premium written decreased by 7.0% to $60.7 million
  • In-force premium at September 30, 2016 increased 11% to $220.4 million compared to $199.1 million
  • Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2016 increased by 5.2% to $45.3 million
  • The combined ratio for the third quarter of 2016 improved by 4.7 percentage points to 83.5%
  • Underwriting income for the third quarter of 2016 improved to $7.1 million, compared to $4.9 million
  • Net income for the third quarter of 2016 was $6.5 million, or $0.51 per common share diluted, compared to $4.0 million, or $0.32 per common share diluted
  • Book value per common share on September 30, 2016 was $11.81, compared to $10.15 at December 31, 2015 and $9.88 at September 30, 2015
  • On a GAAP basis, annualized return on equity (“ROE”) was 17.9% in the third quarter 2016 compared to 13.0% in the prior year period, on a non-GAAP basis excluding the impact of Gateway stock purchase agreement related adjustments annualized ROE was 12.8%

CHICAGO--()--Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFH) ("Atlas" or the "Company") today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016.

Management Comments

Scott D. Wollney, Atlas’ President and CEO, stated, "As always, our focus continues to be bottom line execution and we are very pleased to report a favorable combined ratio, a 44.5% increase in underwriting income and continued better than industry ROE. As we’ve consistently communicated since the inception of Atlas, our team's commitment is to take a disciplined approach to growth, always prioritizing long-term return on equity through better than average underwriting results. Top line growth will always be less important than maximizing underwriting profit and sometimes, as was the case in recent quarters, a willingness to allow near term premium growth to take a back seat to longer term improved underwriting returns will be the outcome of our priorities. Although written premium did slow again in the third quarter, based on our assessment of market conditions we do expect to return to year over year growth in the near term without compromising underwriting discipline.”

Financial and Operational Review

Premium Written: For the three month period ended September 30, 2016, gross premium written was $60.7 million compared to $65.3 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2015, representing a 7.0% decrease. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in our taxi and excess taxi business.

Geographic Distribution: The Company is licensed in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Atlas actively writes core business in 41 of these states plus the District of Columbia. Compared to the three month period ended September 30, 2015, Atlas experienced growth in core business gross premium written in 23 states for the three month period ended September 30, 2016. In 3 of those 23 states, Atlas experienced quarter over quarter growth of greater than 100% due to a continuing positive response from both new and existing agents to Atlas' value proposition and the current market environment.

Combined Ratio: Atlas' combined ratio improved for the three month period ended September 30, 2016 to 83.5%, compared to 88.2% in the prior year period.

  • Loss Ratio: The loss ratio relating to claims incurred for the three month period ended September 30, 2016 was 58.2%, compared to 60.0% for the three month period ended September 30, 2015. The loss ratio decreased slightly from the prior year period primarily due to the company's ongoing pricing and risk selection activities. The Company continues to see incremental opportunities to build on decades of experience in the claims area coupled with underwriting opportunities to increase expected margin in subsequent quarters. As previously announced, the Company is also utilizing predictive analytics in the claim area, in addition to using it as an underwriting tool, to further leverage on the experience and expertise within its organization. On a year over year basis, the Company expects its loss ratio to continue to generally trend in a positive direction based on prior year and potential future pricing, underwriting and claims activities. To achieve this, Atlas utilizes data and experience accumulated over its operating subsidiaries’ many years spent focusing on niche target markets to model potential risk and deliver value in terms of claims and other areas of support.
  • Underwriting Expense Ratio: The underwriting expense ratio for the three month period ended September 30, 2016 was 25.3% compared to 28.2% for the three month period ended September 30, 2015.

The table below details the comparisons of each component of the Company's combined ratio for the periods indicated (after accounting for the effect of quota share reinsurance):

             
Three Month Periods Ended     Nine Month Periods Ended

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

   

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

Loss Ratio 58.2 %     60.0   %     58.9

 

%     58.6   %
Underwriting Expense Ratio:
Acquisition cost ratio 11.6 % 12.0 % 10.3 % 12.7 %
Other underwriting expense ratio 17.2   %     15.2   %     15.9   %     14.2   %
Underwriting expense ratio before expenses related to acquisitions and stock purchase agreements and stock based compensation expenses 28.8 % 27.2 % 26.2 % 26.9 %
Expenses (recovered) incurred related to stock purchase agreement ratio (4.4 ) % % (1.8 ) % 1.7 %
Share based compensation expense ratio 0.9   %     1.0   %     0.9   %     1.1   %
Underwriting expense ratio 25.3   %     28.2   %     25.3   %     29.7   %
Total combined ratio 83.5   %     88.2   %     84.2   %     88.3   %
 

Atlas’ underwriting expense ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, excluding the impact of share based compensation expenses and expenses related to acquisitions and stock purchase agreements, was 26.2% and continues to fall within the Company’s annual target range of 24.5% to 26.5%. While this ratio can vary quarter to quarter, on a full year basis, based on the Company's current expected return to a year over year growth trend, underwriting expenses are expected to be on the high end of this range.

As the Company continues the use of quota share reinsurance, and potentially changes the percentage of ceded premiums under its contract, the impact on the individual ratios of acquisition cost and other underwriting expense will vary. On a pro-forma basis, as if there was no quota share reinsurance in place, the components of the underwriting expense ratio for the periods indicated would have been as follows:

             
Three Month Periods Ended     Nine Month Periods Ended

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

   

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

Acquisition costs 15.6 %     14.9 %     14.5 %     15.0 %
Other insurance general and administrative expenses 14.5 % 13.3 % 13.2 % 12.8 %
Expenses (recovered) incurred related to stock purchase agreements (3.7 )% % (1.5 )% 1.6 %
Share based compensation expense 0.7 % 0.9 % 0.8 % 1.0 %
 

Underwriting Results: Underwriting profit increased to $7.1 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2016, compared to $4.9 million in the same period of the prior year, representing a 44.5% increase.

Gateway Stock Purchase Agreement Items: In the third quarter of 2016, certain post-closing adjustments related to the acquisition of Gateway Insurance Company were made.  Atlas retired 2,538,560 preferred shares held in connection of the Gateway acquisition.  Also, Atlas settled an additional aspect of the Gateway stock purchase agreement relating to deferred tax assets which created a $1.9 million reduction of underwriting expense in the third quarter of 2016.

Net Income before Taxes: Net income before taxes increased to $9.0 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2016, compared to $6.1 million in the same period of the prior year, representing a 47.3% increase.

Income Taxes: Atlas recognized tax expense of $2.5 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2016 compared to tax expense of $2.1 million in the same period of the prior year.

Net Income: Atlas reported net income of $6.5 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2016, compared to $4.0 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2016.

Earnings per share (“EPS”): Atlas generated $0.51 per common share diluted for the three month period ended September 30, 2016. This compares to $0.32 per common share diluted as reported for the three month period ended September 30, 2015.

Share Count: The following chart illustrates Atlas’ potential dilutive common shares for the three month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:

       
Three Month Periods Ended
September 30, 2016     September 30, 2015
Weighted average common shares outstanding 12,045,519     12,008,624
Dilutive potential ordinary shares:
Dilutive stock options 172,088 211,706
Dilutive shares upon preferred share conversion 522,397     573,444
Dilutive average common shares outstanding 12,740,004     12,793,774
 

Balance Sheet/Investment Overview

Book Value: Book value per common share was $11.81 based on 12,045,519 common shares outstanding at September 30, 2016, compared to $10.15 based on 12,045,519 common shares outstanding at December 31, 2015. Book value per common share of $11.81 increased by $1.66 relative to December 31, 2015 as follows:

         
$1.10 increase related to net income after tax and before items indicated below;
$0.05 increase related to the change in net realized investment gains after tax;

($0.02

)

decrease related to the preferred share dividend liquidation;
$0.24 increase related to the change in unrealized gains/losses after tax;
$0.10 increase related to share based compensation; and

$0.19

increase related to expenses incurred with the acquisition of subsidiaries.

$1.66

total increase from December 31, 2015 book value per common share

 

Cash and Invested Assets: Cash and invested assets at September 30, 2016 totaled $233.4 million as compared to $233.3 million as at December 31, 2015.

Investment Strategy: Atlas aligns its securities portfolio to support the liabilities and operating cash needs of its insurance subsidiaries, to preserve capital and to generate investment returns. Atlas invests predominantly in fixed income securities with overall maturities that correlate with the payout patterns of Atlas' claims liabilities and other liquidity needs. At September 30, 2016, the average life on the Company's portfolio was 4.0 years with a duration of 3.3 years. The Company's investment allocations will be regularly reviewed based on market conditions with a continued emphasis on capital preservation to support growth in its operating business.

Investment Income / Yield: Atlas generated net investment income of $1.4 million and $1.2 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, as well as $630,000 and $91,000 of realized gains, respectively. The gross annualized investment yield on the Company's fixed-income securities was 2.2% and 1.9% for the quarters ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The gross annualized investment yield on the Company's cash and cash equivalents was 0.1% for each of the quarters ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. The increase in net investment income from the prior year period is the result of higher returns on equity method securities, lower investment expenses, and higher interest income. Net realized investment gains increased as a result of management's decision to sell certain securities to take advantage of favorable market conditions.

Outlook for 2016

Mr. Wollney continued, “Despite the modest decline of gross written premium in the third quarter, we believe that favorable pricing trends and overall market expansion are serving as a catalyst for future growth. The headwinds impacting our business from a reduction in taxi related premiums continued in the most recent quarter, but at a marginally lesser rate as a percentage of in-force business. And, we continue to see strong growth in both our livery and paratransit lines of business. Notwithstanding the somewhat transitional nature of the sub-segments of the niche market on which we focus, Atlas’ has maintained a primary focus on achieving return-on-equity well in excess of the P&C industry through the cycle which is our priority.”

Conference Call Details

   
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 1, 2016 - 8:30 a.m. ET
Participant Dial-In Numbers:
(United States): 877-423-9817
(International): 201-493-6770
 

To access the call, please dial-in approximately five minutes before the start time and, when asked, provide the operator with passcode "Atlas".

An accompanying slide presentation will be available in .pdf format on the investor relations page of the Company’s website after issuance of the earnings release.

Webcast

The call will also be simultaneously webcast over the Internet via the “Investor Relations” section of Atlas’ website at www.atlas-fin.com/investorrelations or by clicking on the conference call link: http://atlas-fin.equisolvewebcast.com/q3-2016. Audio and a transcript of the call will be archived on the Company’s website.

About Atlas

The primary business of Atlas is commercial automobile insurance in the United States, with a niche market orientation and focus on insurance for the "light" commercial automobile sector including taxi cabs, non-emergency paratransit, limousine/livery and business auto. The business of Atlas is carried on through its subsidiaries American Country Insurance Company, American Service Insurance Company, Inc., Gateway Insurance Company, Global Liberty Insurance Company of New York, Anchor Group Management, Inc., Plainview Premium Finance Company, Inc., and Plainview Premium Finance Company of California, Inc. Atlas' insurance subsidiaries have decades of experience with a commitment to always being an industry leader in these specialized areas of insurance.

For more information about Atlas, please visit www.atlas-fin.com.

Financial Information

Atlas' financial statements reflect consolidated results of Atlas' subsidiaries: American Insurance Acquisition Inc., American Country Insurance Company, American Service Insurance Company, Inc., Gateway Insurance Company, Global Liberty Insurance Company of New York, Anchor Holdings Group, Inc., Anchor Group Management, Inc., Plainview Premium Finance Company, Inc., and Plainview Premium Finance Company of California, Inc. Additional information about Atlas, including a copy of Atlas' 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K financial statements and Management Discussion & Analysis, can be accessed via the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission internet site at www.sec.gov, on the Canadian Securities Administrators' website at www.sedar.com, or through Atlas' website at http://www.atlas-fin.com/InvestorRelations/FinancialReports.aspx.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Atlas and its insurance subsidiaries and businesses. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of each entity. The words "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "may", "should", "estimate", "project", "outlook", "forecast" or similar words are used to identify such forward looking information. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Companies, including risks regarding the insurance industry, economic factors and the equity markets generally and the risk factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Atlas and its subsidiaries undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

         

ATLAS FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in '000s of US dollars, except for share and per share data)

 
       
Three Month Periods Ended     Nine Month Periods Ended

September 30,
2016
(unaudited)

   

September 30,
2015
(unaudited)

   

September 30,
2016
(unaudited)

   

September 30,
2015
(unaudited)

Net premiums earned $ 43,251     $ 41,666 $ 126,806     $ 110,137
Net investment income 1,403 1,180 3,168 2,891
Net realized investment gains 630 91 1,024 272
Other income 51       144       280       301  
Total revenue 45,335 43,081 131,278 113,601
Net claims incurred 25,161 24,988 74,675 64,449
Acquisition costs 5,013 4,988 13,036 13,983
Other underwriting expenses 7,730 6,747 21,084 16,782
Amortization of intangible assets, net 97 292
Interest expense 257 266 756 447
Expenses (recovered) incurred pursuant to Gateway stock purchase agreement (1,895 ) (2,297 ) 942
Expenses incurred related to acquisition of subsidiaries                   978  
Total expenses 36,363       36,989       107,546       97,581  
Income from operations before income tax expense 8,972 6,092 23,732 16,020
Income tax expense 2,476       2,068       7,525       5,923  
Net income 6,496 4,024 16,207 10,097
Less: Preferred share dividends 73       81       234       196  
Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 6,423       $ 3,943       $ 15,973       $ 9,901  
 
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 12,045,519 12,008,624 12,045,519 11,956,611
Earnings per common share, basic $ 0.53 $ 0.33 $ 1.33 $ 0.83
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 12,740,004 12,793,774 12,746,102 12,741,165
Earnings per common share, diluted $ 0.51 $ 0.32 $ 1.27 $ 0.80
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
Net income $ 6,496 $ 4,024 $ 16,207 $ 10,097
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Changes in net unrealized investment (losses) gains (569 ) 555 4,092 165
Reclassification to income of net realized investment gains 105 4 353 199
Effect of income tax 162       (190 )     (1,556 )     (124 )
Other comprehensive (loss) income (302 )     369       2,889       240  
Total comprehensive income $ 6,194       $ 4,393       $ 19,096       $ 10,337  
 
         

ATLAS FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(in '000s of US dollars, except for share and per share data)

 
       

September 30,
2016 (unaudited)

   

December 31,
2015

Assets

Investments, available for sale
Fixed income securities, at fair value (amortized cost $165,016 and $185,455) $ 167,629 $ 183,773
Equity securities, at fair value (cost $6,147 and $4,147) 6,391 4,240
Other investments 30,880       22,937  
Total Investments 204,900 210,950
Cash and cash equivalents 28,508 22,354
Accrued investment income 772 1,036
Premiums receivable (net of allowance of $872 and $846) 81,814 82,529
Reinsurance recoverables on amounts paid 6,107 3,277
Reinsurance recoverables on amounts unpaid 22,412 29,399
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 16,299 17,412
Deferred policy acquisition costs 12,705 10,235
Deferred tax asset, net 16,608 17,166
Goodwill 2,726 2,726
Intangible assets, net 4,633 4,925
Internal use software and office equipment, net 2,593 2,589
Other assets 6,987       6,694  
Total Assets $ 407,064       $ 411,292  
 

Liabilities

Claims liabilities $ 100,319 $ 127,011
Unearned premiums 117,809 108,202
Due to reinsurers 6,369 10,781
Note payable, net 19,170 17,219
Other liabilities and accrued expenses 16,805       18,457  
Total Liabilities $ 260,472       $ 281,670  
 

Shareholders’ Equity

Preferred shares, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding: September 30, 2016 - 4,000,000 and December 31, 2015 - 6,940,500. Liquidation value $1.00 per share $ 4,000 $ 6,941
Ordinary voting common shares, $0.003 par value, 266,666,667 shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding: September 30, 2016 - 11,895,104 and December 31, 2015 - 11,883,025 36 36
Restricted voting common shares, $0.003 par value, 33,333,334 shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding: September 30, 2016 - 128,191 and December 31, 2015 - 132,863
Additional paid-in capital 198,856 198,041
Retained deficit (58,157 ) (74,364 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 1,857       (1,032 )
Total Shareholders’ Equity 146,592       129,622  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $ 407,064       $ 411,292  
 

Use of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measurements

We use these non-GAAP financial measures in order to present our financial condition and results of operations in the way we believe will be most meaningful and representative of our business results. The non-GAAP financial measures that we present may not be comparable to similarly-named measures reported by other companies.

Adjusted operating income, before tax includes both underwriting income and loss and net investment income, but excludes net realized capital gains and losses, legal and professional expense incurred related to business combinations, interest expense, net impairment charges recognized in earnings and other items. Underwriting income is derived by reducing net premiums earned by losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred, policy acquisition costs and general operating expenses.

     
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Net Income to Adjusted Operating Income, Before Tax (in '000s, except per share data)
 
Three Month Periods Ended   Nine Month Periods Ended

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

 

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

Net income $ 6,496     $ 0.51     $ 4,024     $ 0.32   $ 16,207     $ 1.27     $ 10,097     $ 0.80
Add: income tax expense 2,476 0.19 2,068 0.16 7,525 0.59 5,923 0.46
Add: expenses incurred related to acquisition of subsidiaries 978 0.08
Add: expenses (recovered) incurred pursuant to Gateway stock purchase agreement (1,895 ) (0.15 ) (2,297 ) (0.18 ) 942 0.07
Add: interest expense 257 0.02 266 0.02 756 0.06 447 0.04
Less: net realized investment gains 630 0.05 91 0.01 1,024 0.08 272 0.02
Less: other income 51             144     0.01     280       0.02       301     0.03
Adjusted operating income, before tax $ 6,653       $ 0.52       $ 6,123     $ 0.48     $ 20,887       $ 1.64       $ 17,814     $ 1.40
 

After-tax return on average common equity is derived by subtracting preferred share dividends accrued from net income and dividing by average common equity. Common equity is total shareholders' equity less preferred shares and cumulative preferred share dividends accrued. Average common equity is the average of common equity at the beginning and the ending of the reporting period.

 
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Shareholders' Equity to Common Equity (in '000s)
       
As of:

September
30, 2016

   

June 30,
2016

   

December
31, 2015

   

September
30, 2015

   

June 30,
2015

   

December 31,
2014

Total shareholders' equity $ 146,592     $ 142,958     $ 129,622     $ 125,925     $ 121,109     $ 109,399
Less: preferred shares (4,000 ) (6,539 ) (6,941 ) (6,941 ) (6,941 ) (2,000 )
Less: accrued dividends on preferred shares (286 )     (622 )     (460 )     (380 )     (299 )     (184 )
Total common equity $ 142,306       $ 135,797       $ 122,221       $ 118,604       $ 113,869       $ 107,215  
 
 
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Return on Equity to Return on Common Equity (in '000s)
       
Three Month Periods Ended     Nine Month Periods Ended

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

   

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

Net income $ 6,496     $ 4,024     $ 16,207     $ 10,097
Average equity 144,774 123,517 138,106 117,662
Return on equity 17.9 % 13.0 % 15.6 % 11.4 %
 
Net income $ 6,496 $ 4,024 $ 16,207 $ 10,097
Less: preferred share dividends accrued (73 )     (81 )     (234 )     (196 )
Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 6,423       $ 3,943       $ 15,973       $ 9,901  
Average common equity 139,051 116,237 132,263 112,910
Return on average common equity 18.5 % 13.6 % 16.1 % 11.7 %
 

Contacts

Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc.
Scott Wollney, 847-700-8600
CEO
swollney@atlas-fin.com
www.atlas-fin.com
or
Investor Relations
The Equity Group Inc.
Adam Prior, 212-836-9606
Senior Vice President
aprior@equityny.com
www.theequitygroup.com

Contacts

Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc.
Scott Wollney, 847-700-8600
CEO
swollney@atlas-fin.com
www.atlas-fin.com
or
Investor Relations
The Equity Group Inc.
Adam Prior, 212-836-9606
Senior Vice President
aprior@equityny.com
www.theequitygroup.com