Employers Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2017 Results

  • Net income of $31.3 million ($0.94 per diluted share), adjusted net income of $35.2 million ($1.06 per diluted share).
  • Combined ratio of 81.3%, combined ratio before the impact of the LPT of 83.0%.
  • The Board declared an increased quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share and authorized a new $50.0 million share repurchase program.

RENO, Nev.--()--Employers Holdings, Inc. (“EHI” or the “Company”) (NYSE:EIG) today reported the following for the fourth quarter of 2017: (i) net income of $31.3 million ($0.94 per diluted share); (ii) net income excluding the impact of the LPT of $28.2 million ($0.85 per diluted share); and (iii) adjusted net income of $35.2 million ($1.06 per diluted share).

The Company also reported that the Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2018 dividend and authorized a new $50.0 million share repurchase program. The first quarter dividend, which was increased to $0.20 per share, will be paid on March 21, 2018 to stockholders of record on March 7, 2018. The new share repurchase authorization, which replaces an expiring program with a remaining authorization of $28.9 million, will expire on February 26, 2020.

The Company's adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2017 increased $3.9 million year-over-year. This increase reflects strong underwriting results highlighted by an 83.0% combined ratio before the impact of the LPT and a 6% increase in net earned premiums.

The Company's net income and net income before the impact of the LPT for the fourth quarter of 2017 decreased by $4.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively, year-over-year. The decreases were the result of a non-recurring income tax expense of $7.0 million in connection with U.S. corporate tax reform enacted in December. This incremental income tax expense represents the impact of re-measurement of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities using the new U.S. statutory tax rate.

The Company’s book value per share of $29.07, book value per share including the Deferred Gain of $34.09 and adjusted book value per share of $30.80, increased 13.4%, 9.7% and 7.2% for the year, respectively, each computed after taking into account dividends declared during 2017.

Chief Executive Officer Douglas D. Dirks commented on the results: “The fourth quarter marked a strong end to a successful year for EMPLOYERS. During the fourth quarter we grew written premiums by 8% year-over-year, lowered our current and prior year loss reserve provisions and increased the quarterly dividend by 33.3%.

In addition, we have recently initiated a plan of aggressive development and implementation of new technologies and capabilities that we believe will fundamentally transform and enhance the digital experience of our customers. We have chosen to reinvest the expected financial benefits from corporate income tax reform back into our business over the next several years by greatly accelerating the development and deployment of these new digital capabilities. We believe that these new technological and intellectual capabilities will support our future growth initiatives, provide us with greater pricing precision and flexibility and promote long-term value creation.

We expect that the development and implementation of these new technologies and capabilities will increase our underwriting and other operating expense ratio by approximately four percentage points in 2018 and two percentage points in 2019, as compared to that experienced in 2017. However, we expect that these increased expenses will be offset by operational efficiency gains in future periods.”

Summary of Fourth Quarter 2017 Results

(All comparisons vs. fourth quarter 2016, unless noted otherwise).

Net earned premiums of $181.6 million increased $9.6 million due primarily to new business writings and increases in final audit premiums, partially offset by declines in renewal business premium.

The loss ratio before the impact of the LPT of 48.6% decreased 5.4 percentage points reflecting the continued impacts of key business initiatives including: an emphasis on settling open claims; diversifying our risk exposure across geographic markets; and leveraging data-driven strategies to target, underwrite and price profitable classes of business across all of our markets.

The commission expense ratio of 13.6% increased 2.0 percentage points due mainly to increases in agency incentives and in the amount of business produced by our partnerships and alliances.

The underwriting and other operating expense ratio of 20.8% increased 0.7 percentage points due mainly to increases in fourth quarter professional fees and incentive accruals.

Net investment income of $19.1 million was unchanged.

Stockholders’ Equity including the Deferred Gain

Stockholders’ equity including the Deferred Gain was $1,111.3 million, an increase of 9.4% from December 31, 2016.

Conference Call and Webcast, Reports Filed With The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and Supplemental Materials

The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with the Financial Supplement that is attached to this press release and is available on our website.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP

Within this earnings release we present various financial measures, some of which are "non-GAAP financial measures." A description of these non-GAAP financial measures, as well as a reconciliation of such non-GAAP measures to the Company's most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included in the attached Financial Supplement. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures are meaningful to the Company's investors, analysts and other interested parties who benefit from having an objective and consistent basis for comparison with other companies within our industry. These non-GAAP measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures and investors should be careful when comparing the Company's non-GAAP financial measures to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, February 22, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. The conference call will be available via a live web cast on the Company's web site at www.employers.com. An archived version will be available several hours after the call. The conference call replay number is (404) 537-3406 or (855) 859-2056 with a pass code of 5177907.

The Company provides a list of portfolio securities in the Calendar of Events, “Investors” section of its website at www.employers.com. The Company also provides its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and its investor presentations on its website.

Forward-Looking Statements

In this press release, the Company and its management discuss and make statements based on currently available information regarding their intentions, beliefs, current expectations, and projections of, among other things, the Company's future performance, business growth, retention rates, loss costs, claim trends and the impact of key business initiatives, future technologies and planned investments. Certain of these statements may constitute "forward-looking" statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and are often identified by words such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "target," "project," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "pro forma," "seek," "likely," or "continue," or other comparable terminology and their negatives. EHI and its management caution investors that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Risks and uncertainties are inherent in EHI's future performance. Factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, among other things, those discussed or identified from time to time in EHI's public filings with the SEC, including the risks detailed in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

The SEC filings for EHI can be accessed through the “Investors” link on the Company's website, www.employers.com, or through the SEC's EDGAR Database at www.sec.gov (EHI EDGAR CIK No. 0001379041).

Copyright © 2018 EMPLOYERS. All rights reserved. EMPLOYERS® and America's small business insurance specialist. ® are registered trademarks of Employers Insurance Company of Nevada. Employers Holdings, Inc. is a holding company with subsidiaries that are specialty providers of workers' compensation insurance and services focused on select, small businesses engaged in low to medium hazard industries. Insurance subsidiaries include Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Compensation Insurance Company, Employers Preferred Insurance Company, and Employers Assurance Company, all rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.

Additional information can be found at: http://www.employers.com.

 

Employers Holdings, Inc.

Fourth Quarter And Full Year 2017
Financial Supplement
 

EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC.

Table of Contents

 
Page
 

1

Consolidated Financial Highlights

 
2 Summary Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
3 Summary Consolidated Income Statements
 
4 Return on Equity
 
5 Combined Ratios
 
6 Roll-forward of Unpaid Losses and LAE
 
7 Consolidated Investment Portfolio
 
8 Book Value Per Share
 
9 Earnings Per Share
 
10 Non-GAAP Financial Measures
 

EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Financial Highlights (unaudited)

$ in millions, except per share amounts

       
Three Months Ended Years Ended
December 31, December 31,
2017   2016 % change 2017   2016 % change
Selected financial highlights:
Gross insurance premiums written $ 168.4 $ 155.7 8 % $ 729.7 $ 701.4 4 %
Net insurance premiums written 167.0 154.2 8 723.7 694.6 4
Net insurance premiums earned 181.6 172.0 6 716.5 694.8 3
Net investment income 19.1 19.1 74.6 73.2 2
Underwriting income(1) 33.9 27.6 23 68.0 57.3 19
Net income before impact of the LPT(1) 28.2 32.6 (13 ) 89.6 90.1 (1 )
Adjusted net income(1) 35.2 31.3 12 95.5 83.0 15
Net income 31.3 35.5 (12 ) 101.2 106.7 (5 )
Comprehensive income 30.4 (7.6 )

n/m     

116.3 97.6 19
Total assets 3,840.1 3,773.4 2
Stockholders' equity 947.7 840.6 13
Stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain(2) 1,111.3 1,015.5 9
Adjusted stockholders' equity(2) 1,003.9 941.0 7
Annualized adjusted return on stockholders' equity(3) 14.1 % 13.5 % 4 % 9.8 % 9.2 % 7
Amounts per share:
Cash dividends declared per share $ 0.15 $ 0.09 67 % $ 0.60 $ 0.36 67 %
Earnings per diluted share(4) 0.94 1.08 (13 ) 3.06 3.24 (6 )
Earnings per diluted share before impact of the LPT(4) 0.85 0.99 (14 ) 2.71 2.73 (1 )
Adjusted earnings per diluted share(4) 1.06 0.95 12 2.89 2.52 15
Book value per share(2) 29.07 26.16 11
Book value per share including the Deferred Gain(2) 34.09 31.61 8
Adjusted book value per share(2) 30.80 29.29 5
Combined ratio before impact of the LPT:(5)
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio:
Current year 58.5 % 63.8 % 62.4 % 65.2 %
Prior year (9.9 ) (9.8 ) (2.6 ) (2.7 )
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio 48.6 % 54.0 % 59.8 % 62.5 %
Commission expense ratio 13.6 11.6 12.8 12.0
Underwriting and other operating expense ratio 20.8   20.1   19.5   19.7  
Combined ratio before impact of the LPT 83.0 % 85.6 % 92.1 % 94.1 %
 
(1) See Page 3 for calculations and Page 10 for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
(2) See Page 8 for calculations and Page 10 for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
(3) See Page 4 for calculations and Page 10 for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
(4) See Page 9 for calculations and Page 10 for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
(5) See Page 5 for calculations and Page 10 for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
 
 

EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC.

Summary Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

$ in millions, except per share amounts

   
December 31,
2017
December 31,
2016
ASSETS
Investments, cash and cash equivalents $ 2,752.0 $ 2,623.4
Accrued investment income 19.6 20.6
Premiums receivable, net 326.7 304.7
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses 544.2 588.7
Deferred policy acquisition costs 45.8 44.3
Deferred income taxes, net 28.7 59.4
Contingent commission receivable—LPT Agreement 31.4 31.1
Other assets 91.7   101.2  
Total assets $ 3,840.1   $ 3,773.4  
 
LIABILITIES
Unpaid losses and LAE $ 2,266.1 $ 2,301.0
Unearned premiums 318.3 310.3
Commissions and premium taxes payable 55.3 48.8
Deferred Gain 163.6 174.9
Notes payable 20.0 32.0
Other liabilities 69.1   65.8  
Total liabilities $ 2,892.4 $ 2,932.8
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock and additional paid-in capital $ 381.8 $ 372.6
Retained earnings 842.2 777.2
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net 107.4 74.5
Treasury stock, at cost (383.7 ) (383.7 )
Total stockholders’ equity 947.7   840.6  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 3,840.1   $ 3,773.4  
         
Stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain (1) $ 1,111.3 $ 1,015.5
Adjusted stockholders' equity (1)   1,003.9     941.0  
Book value per share (1) $ 29.07 $ 26.16
Book value per share including the Deferred Gain (1) 34.09 31.61
Adjusted book value per share (1)   30.80     29.29  
 
(1) See Page 8 for calculations and Page 10 for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
 
 

EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC.

Summary Consolidated Income Statements (unaudited)

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 
Three Months Ended Years Ended
December 31, December 31,
2017   2016 2017   2016
Underwriting revenues:
Gross premiums written $ 168.4 $ 155.7 $ 729.7 $ 701.4
Premiums ceded (1.4 ) (1.5 ) (6.0 ) (6.8 )
Net premiums written 167.0 154.2 723.7 694.6
Net premiums earned 181.6 172.0 716.5 694.8
Underwriting expenses:
Losses and LAE incurred (85.2 ) (89.9 ) (417.2 ) (417.9 )
Commission expense (24.7 ) (20.0 ) (91.4 ) (83.5 )
Underwriting and other operating expenses (37.8 ) (34.5 ) (139.9 ) (136.1 )
Underwriting income 33.9 27.6 68.0 57.3
Net investment income 19.1 19.1 74.6 73.2
Net realized gains on investments 2.1 7.4 11.2
Gain on redemption of notes payable 2.1
Other income 0.3 0.8 0.6
Interest expense (0.3 ) (0.4 ) (1.4 ) (1.6 )
Other expenses (7.5 )
Income tax expense (21.7 ) (12.9 ) (42.8 ) (34.0 )
Net income 31.3 35.5 101.2 106.7
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investments arising during the period, net of tax (0.9 ) (41.7 ) 19.9 (1.8 )
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains in net income, net of tax   (1.4 ) (4.8 ) (7.3 )
Comprehensive income (loss) $ 30.4     $ (7.6 )   $ 116.3     $ 97.6  
Net income $ 31.3 $ 35.5 $ 101.2 $ 106.7
Amortization of the Deferred Gain - losses (2.3 ) (2.4 ) (9.3 ) (9.7 )
Amortization of the Deferred Gain - contingent commission (0.5 ) (0.5 ) (2.0 ) (2.0 )
LPT reserve adjustment (3.1 )
LPT contingent commission adjustments (0.3 )   (0.3 ) (1.8 )
Net income before impact of the LPT Agreement (1) $ 28.2 $ 32.6 $ 89.6 $ 90.1
Net realized gains on investments (2.1 ) (7.4 ) (11.2 )
Gain on redemption of notes payable (2.1 )
Write-off of previously capitalized costs 7.5
Amortization of intangibles 0.1 0.3 0.4
Income tax benefit related to items excluded from Net income 0.7 0.6 3.7
Net impact of tax reform 7.0         7.0      
Adjusted net income (1) $ 35.2     $ 31.3     $ 95.5     $ 83.0  
 
(1) See Page 10 regarding our use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
 
 

EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC.

Return on Equity (unaudited)

$ in millions, except per share amount

 
Three Months Ended Years Ended
December 31, December 31,
2017   2016 2017   2016
 
Net income A $ 31.3 $ 35.5 $ 101.2 $ 106.7
Impact of the LPT Agreement (3.1 ) (2.9 ) (11.6 ) (16.6 )
Net realized gains on investments (2.1 ) (7.4 ) (11.2 )
Gain on redemption of notes payable (2.1 )
Write-off of previously capitalized costs 7.5
Amortization of intangibles 0.1 0.3 0.4
Income tax benefit related to items excluded from Net income 0.7 0.6 3.7
Net impact of tax reform 7.0     7.0    
Adjusted net income(1) B $ 35.2     $ 31.3     $ 95.5     $ 83.0  
 
Stockholders' equity - end of period $ 947.7 $ 840.6 $ 947.7 $ 840.6
 
Stockholders' equity - beginning of period 917.1 850.1 840.6 760.8
 
Average stockholders' equity C $ 932.4     $ 845.4     $ 894.2     $ 800.7  
 
Stockholders' equity - end of period $ 947.7 $ 840.6 $ 947.7 $ 840.6
Deferred Gain - end of period 163.6 174.9 163.6 174.9
Accumulated other comprehensive income - end of period (136.0 ) (114.6 ) (136.0 ) (114.6 )
Income tax related to accumulated other comprehensive income - end of period 28.6   40.1   28.6   40.1  
Adjusted stockholders' equity - end of period 1,003.9 941.0 1,003.9 941.0
Adjusted stockholders' equity - beginning of period 992.9   910.3   941.0   866.7  
Average adjusted stockholders' equity(1) D $ 998.4     $ 925.7     $ 972.5     $ 903.9  
 
Return on stockholders' equity A / C 3.4 % 4.2 % 11.3 % 13.3 %
Annualized return on stockholders' equity 13.4 % 16.8 %
 
Adjusted return on stockholders' equity(1) B / D 3.5 % 3.4 % 9.8 % 9.2 %
Annualized adjusted return on stockholders' equity(1)   14.1 %   13.5 %        
 
(1) See Page 10 for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
 
 

EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC.

Combined Ratios (unaudited)

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 
Three Months Ended Years Ended
December 31, December 31,
2017   2016 2017   2016
Net premiums earned A $ 181.6 $ 172.0 $ 716.5 $ 694.8
Losses and LAE incurred B 85.2 89.9 417.2 417.9
Amortization of the Deferred Gain - losses 2.3 2.4 9.3 9.7
Amortization of the Deferred Gain - contingent commission 0.5 0.5 2.0 2.0
LPT reserve adjustment 3.1
LPT contingent commission adjustments 0.3     0.3   1.8  
Losses and LAE before impact of the LPT (1) C $ 88.3 $ 92.8 $ 428.8 $ 434.5
Prior year loss reserve development (18.0 ) (16.9 ) (18.5 ) (18.4 )
Losses and LAE before impact of the LPT - current accident year D $ 106.3   $ 109.7   $ 447.3   $ 452.9  
Commission expense E $ 24.7 $ 20.0 $ 91.4 $ 83.5
Underwriting and other operating expenses F 37.8     34.5     139.9     136.1  
Combined ratio:
Loss and LAE ratio B/A 46.9 % 52.3 % 58.2 % 60.1 %
Commission expense ratio E/A 13.6 11.6 12.8 12.0
Underwriting and other operating expense ratio F/A 20.8   20.1   19.5   19.7  
Combined ratio   81.3 %   84.0 %   90.5 %   91.8 %
Combined ratio before impact of the LPT: (1)
Loss and LAE ratio before impact of the LPT C/A 48.6 % 54.0 % 59.8 % 62.5 %
Commission expense ratio E/A 13.6 11.6 12.8 12.0
Underwriting and other operating expense ratio F/A 20.8   20.1   19.5   19.7  
Combined ratio before impact of the LPT   83.0 %   85.6 %   92.1 %   94.1 %
Combined ratio before impact of the LPT: current accident year: (1)
Loss and LAE ratio before impact of the LPT D/A 58.5 % 63.8 % 62.4 % 65.2 %
Commission expense ratio E/A 13.6 11.6 12.8 12.0
Underwriting and other operating expense ratio F/A 20.8   20.1   19.5   19.7  
Combined ratio before impact of the LPT: current accident year   93.0 %   95.5 %   94.7 %   96.8 %
 
(1) See Page 10 for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
 
   

EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC.

Roll-forward of Unpaid Losses and LAE (unaudited)

$ in millions

 
Three Months Ended Years Ended
December 31, December 31,
2017   2016 2017   2016
 
Unpaid losses and LAE at beginning of period $ 2,298.9 $ 2,330.0 $ 2,301.0 $ 2,347.5
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and LAE 553.1   591.5   580.0   628.2  
Net unpaid losses and LAE at beginning of period 1,745.8   1,738.5   1,721.0   1,719.3  
Losses and LAE incurred:
Current year losses 106.3 109.8 447.3 452.9
Prior year losses on voluntary business (17.4 ) (17.0 ) (17.4 ) (17.0 )
Prior year losses on involuntary business (0.6 ) 0.1   (1.1 ) (1.4 )
Total losses incurred 88.3   92.9   428.8   434.5  
Losses and LAE paid:
Current year losses 31.7 35.9 76.9 78.7
Prior year losses 73.3   74.5   343.8   354.1  
Total paid losses 105.0   110.4   420.7   432.8  
Net unpaid losses and LAE at end of period 1,729.1 1,721.0 1,729.1 1,721.0
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and LAE 537.0   580.0   537.0   580.0  
Unpaid losses and LAE at end of period $ 2,266.1   $ 2,301.0   $ 2,266.1   $ 2,301.0  
 
   

EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Investment Portfolio (unaudited)

$ in millions

 
December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Investment Positions:

Cost or
Amortized
Cost

 

Net Unrealized
Gain

  Fair Value  

  %  

Fair Value  

  %  

Fixed maturities $ 2,421.0 $ 42.4 $ 2,463.4 90 % $ 2,344.4 89 %
Equity securities 116.7 93.6 210.3 8 192.2 7
Short-term investments 4.0 4.0 16.0 1
Cash and cash equivalents 73.3 73.3 3 67.2 3
Restricted cash and cash equivalents 1.0     1.0     3.6    
Total investments and cash $ 2,616.0   $ 136.0   $ 2,752.0   100 % $ 2,623.4   100 %
 
Breakout of Fixed Maturities:
U.S. Treasuries and Agencies $ 147.1 $ 1.7 $ 148.8 6 % $ 140.2 6 %
States and Municipalities 617.0 25.5 642.5 26 851.6 36
Corporate Securities 1,103.4 14.6 1,118.0 45 956.7 41
Mortgage-Backed Securities 494.8 0.5 495.3 20 353.5 15
Asset-Backed Securities 58.7   0.1   58.8   2   42.4   2  
Total fixed maturities $ 2,421.0   $ 42.4   $ 2,463.4   100 % $ 2,344.4   100 %
                                             

Weighted average book yield

3.1

%

3.1

%

Weighted average tax equivalent yield

3.5

%

3.6

%

Average credit quality (S&P)

AA-

AA-

Duration

                         

4.2

           

4.3

 
 
 

EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC.

Book Value Per Share (unaudited)

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 
December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Numerators:
Stockholders' equity A $ 947.7 $ 840.6
Plus: Deferred Gain 163.6   174.9  
Stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain(1) B 1,111.3 1,015.5
Accumulated other comprehensive income (136.0 ) (114.6 )
Income tax benefit related to accumulated other comprehensive income 28.6   40.1  
Adjusted stockholders' equity(1) C $ 1,003.9   $ 941.0  
 
Denominator (shares outstanding) D 32,597,819 32,128,922
 
Book value per share(1) A / D $ 29.07 $ 26.16
Book value per share including the Deferred Gain(1) B / D 34.09 31.61
Adjusted book value per share(1) C / D 30.80 29.29
 
Cash dividends declared per share $ 0.60 $ 0.36
 
YTD Change in:(2)
Book value per share 13.4 % 12.3 %
Book value per share including the Deferred Gain 9.7 8.4
Adjusted book value per share 7.2 10.2
 
(1) See Page 10 for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
(2) Reflects the change per share after taking into account dividends declared in the period.
 
 

EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC.

Earnings Per Share (unaudited)

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 
Three Months Ended Years Ended
December 31, December 31,
2017   2016 2017   2016
Numerators:
Net income A $ 31.3 $ 35.5 $ 101.2 $ 106.7
Impact of the LPT Agreement (3.1 ) (2.9 ) (11.6 ) (16.6 )
Net income before impact of the LPT (1) B $ 28.2   $ 32.6   $ 89.6   $ 90.1  
Net realized gains on investments (2.1 ) (7.4 ) (11.2 )
Gain on redemption of notes payable (2.1 )
Write-off of previously capitalized costs 7.5
Amortization of intangibles 0.1 0.3 0.4
Income tax benefit related to items excluded from Net income 0.7 0.6 3.7
Net impact of tax reform 7.0     7.0    
Adjusted net income (1) C $ 35.2   $ 31.3   $ 95.5   $ 83.0  
 
Denominators:
Average common shares outstanding (basic) D 32,641,438 32,247,251 32,501,576 32,434,580
Average common shares outstanding (diluted) E 33,219,850 32,861,090 33,060,760 32,976,835
 
Earnings per share:
Basic A / D $ 0.96 $ 1.10 $ 3.11 $ 3.29
Diluted A / E 0.94 1.08 3.06 3.24
 
Earnings per share before impact of the LPT:(1)
Basic B / D $ 0.86 $ 1.01 $ 2.76 $ 2.78
Diluted B / E 0.85 0.99 2.71 2.73
 
Adjusted earnings per share:(1)
Basic C / D $ 1.08 $ 0.97 $ 2.94 $ 2.56
Diluted C / E 1.06 0.95 2.89 2.52
 
(1) See Page 10 for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
 

Glossary of Financial Measures

Within this earnings release we present the following measures, each of which are "non-GAAP financial measures." A reconciliation of these measures to the Company's most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included herein. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures are important to the Company's investors, analysts and other interested parties who benefit from having an objective and consistent basis for comparison with other companies within our industry. Management further believes that these measures are more relevant than comparable GAAP measures in evaluating our financial performance.

The LPT Agreement is a non-recurring transaction that does not result in ongoing cash benefits to the Company. Management believes that providing non-GAAP measures that exclude the effects of the LPT Agreement (amortization of deferred reinsurance gain, adjustments to LPT Agreement ceded reserves and adjustments to contingent commission receivable) is useful in providing investors, analysts and other interested parties a meaningful understanding of the Company's ongoing underwriting performance.

Deferred reinsurance gain (Deferred Gain) reflects the unamortized gain from the LPT Agreement. This gain has been deferred and is being amortized using the recovery method, whereby the amortization is determined by the proportion of actual reinsurance recoveries to total estimated recoveries, except for the contingent profit commission, which is being amortized through June 30, 2024. Amortization is reflected in losses and LAE incurred.

Adjusted net income (see Page 4 for calculations) is net income excluding the effects of the LPT Agreement, net realized gains (losses) on investments (net of tax), net impact of tax reform, gain on redemption of notes payable (net of tax), and amortization of intangible assets (net of tax). Management believes that providing this non-GAAP measures is helpful to investors, analysts and other interested parties in identifying trends in the Company's operating performance because such items have limited significance to its ongoing operations or can be impacted by both discretionary and other economic factors and may not represent operating trends. The Company previously referred to Adjusted net income as Operating income.

Stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain is stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain. Management believes that providing this non-GAAP measure is useful in providing investors, analysts and other interested parties a meaningful measure of the Company's total underwriting capital.

Adjusted stockholders' equity (see Page 8 for calculations) is stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain, less accumulated other comprehensive income (net of tax). Management believes that providing this non-GAAP measure is useful to investors, analysts and other interested parties since it serves as the denominator to the Company's operating return on equity metric.

Return on stockholders' equity and Adjusted return on stockholders' equity (see Page 4 for calculations). Management believes that these profitability measures are widely used by our investors, analysts and other interested parties. The Company previously referred to Adjusted return on stockholders' equity as Operating return on adjusted stockholders' equity.

Book value per share, Book value per share including the Deferred Gain, and Adjusted book value per share (see Page 8 for calculations). Management believes that these valuation measures are widely used by our investors, analysts and other interested parties. The Company previously referred to Book value per share as GAAP book value per share, and Book value per share including Deferred Gain as Book value per share.

Net income, Combined ratio, and Combined ratio before impact of the LPT (see Pages 3 and 5 for calculations). Management believes that these performance and underwriting measures are widely used by our investors, analysts and other interested parties.

Contacts

Employers Holdings, Inc.
Media:
Ty Vukelich, 775-327-2677
tvukelich@employers.com
or
Analysts:
Mike Paquette, 775-327-2562
mwoodard@employers.com

Contacts

Employers Holdings, Inc.
Media:
Ty Vukelich, 775-327-2677
tvukelich@employers.com
or
Analysts:
Mike Paquette, 775-327-2562
mwoodard@employers.com