Book Value Per Share of $13.97, Up 16.2% Since Year-end 2010

Third Quarter 2011 Financial Highlights

  • Operating diluted EPS (1) of $0.68 ($0.06 attributable to gain on life settlement contracts) compared to $0.58 in the third quarter 2010
  • Annualized operating return on equity of 20.3%(1) and annualized return on equity of 16.9%
  • Gross written premium of $561.2 million, up 65.5%, and net earned premium of $288.8 million, up 51.3% from third quarter 2010
  • Commission and other revenues of $84.6 million, up 7.4% from third quarter 2010
  • Operating earnings (1) of $42.2 million, up 18.1% from third quarter 2010
  • Net income of $35.1 million compared to $39.3 million from third quarter 2010
  • Diluted EPS of $0.57 compared to $0.64 in the third quarter 2010
  • Combined ratio of 89.3% compared to 86.3% in the third quarter 2010
  • YTD annualized operating return on equity of 23.8%(1) and annualized return on equity of 22.4%
  • YTD gross written premium of $1.56 billion, up 44.0%, and net earned premium of $737.5 million, up 37.8% over the first nine months of 2010
  • YTD operating earnings(1) of $138.8 million, up 33.6% from the first nine months of 2010
  • YTD operating diluted EPS(1) of $2.25 ($0.39 attributable to gain on life settlement contracts) compared with $1.72 in the first nine months of 2010
  • YTD net income of $130.4 million, up 19.9% from the first nine months of 2010
  • YTD diluted EPS of $2.12 compared with $1.80 in the first nine months of 2010
  • YTD combined ratio of 89.0% compared to 84.4% in the first nine months of 2010
  • Book value per share of $13.97, up from $12.03 at year-end 2010


AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFSI) today reported third quarter 2011 operating earnings (1) of $42.2 million, or $0.68 per diluted share up from $35.7 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2010. Net income totaled $35.1 million, or $0.57 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2011 up from $39.3 million, or $0.64 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2010.

During the first nine months of 2011, operating earnings (1) totaled $138.8 million, or $2.25 per diluted share, up from $103.8 million, or $1.72 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2010. Net income totaled $130.4 million or $2.12 per diluted share, up from $108.8 million or $1.80 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2010.

Third Quarter 2011 Results

Total revenue of $373.4 million increased $103.8 million, or 38.5%, from $269.6 million in the third quarter of 2010. Gross written premium of $561.2 million rose $222.1 million, or 65.5%, from third quarter 2010. Net written premium of $321.9 million increased $139.1 million, or 76.1%, from $182.8 million in the third quarter of 2010. Net earned premium of $288.8 million increased $98.0 million, or 51.3%, from $190.9 million in the third quarter of 2010.

Commission and other revenues of $84.6 million increased $5.8 million, or 7.4%, from third quarter 2010 and represented 22.6% of total revenue. The combined ratio totaled 89.3% compared with 86.3% in the third quarter of 2010.

Ceding commissions, primarily related to the quota-share agreements with Maiden Holdings, Ltd. ("Maiden"), totaled $40.7 million, up 7.5% from $37.9 million a year ago. During the quarter, AmTrust ceded $173.2 million of gross written premium and $160.2 million of earned premium to Maiden compared to $109.5 million of gross written premium and $120.6 million of earned premium ceded in the third quarter of 2010.

Total service and fee income of $28.8 million increased 28.5% from $22.4 million in the third quarter of 2010 and included $4.2 million from related parties compared with $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2010.

Investment income, excluding net realized gains and losses, totaled $14.5 million, an increase of 32% from $11.0 million in the third quarter of 2010. 2011 third quarter results also include net realized investment gains of $550,000, or $360,000 after-tax, on certain fixed income and equity investments compared with $7.5 million, or $4.8 million after-tax, in the third quarter of 2010. 

Gain on life settlements including non-controlling interest, was $6.8 million, for the third quarter of 2011.  The gain included a net benefit of $7.1 million from a mortality event partially offset by a net increase in life settlement reserves of $300,000.  Operating earnings (1) included $3.4 million, net of non-controlling interest, related to gains on life settlement contracts.

Loss and loss adjustment expense totaled $185.4 million, an increase of $64.9 million from $120.4 million in the third quarter of 2010 and resulted in a loss ratio of 64.2% compared with 63.1% for the third quarter of 2010.

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expense of $113.3 million increased $31.1 million from the third quarter of 2010. Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses less ceding commissions totaled $72.5 million compared with $44.2 million in the year ago quarter. The expense ratio was 25.1%, up from 23.2% in the third quarter of 2010.

Other expense of $24.0 million increased $3.8 million from $20.2 million in the third quarter of 2010.

Year-to-Date 2011 Results

Total revenue of $971.2 million increased $251.4 million, or 34.9%, from $719.8 million in the first nine months of 2010. Gross written premium of $1.56 billion rose $477.8 million, or 44%, compared to $1.09 billion a year ago. Net written premium of $931.6 million increased $363.0 million, or 63.8%, from $568.6 million in the first nine months of 2010. Net earned premium of $737.5 million increased $202.2 million, or 37.8%, from $535.2 million in the first nine months of 2010.

Commission and other revenues of $233.8 million increased $49.2 million, or 26.7%, compared to the first nine months of 2010 and represented 24.1% of total revenue. The combined ratio totaled 89.0% compared with 84.4% in the first nine months of 2010.

Ceding commissions, primarily related to the quota-share agreements with Maiden, totaled $111.8 million, up 8.4% from $103.1 million a year ago. During the first nine months of 2011, AmTrust ceded $513.9 million of gross written premium and $410.8 million of earned premium to Maiden compared to $336.0 million of gross written premium and $329.3 million of earned premium ceded in the same period in 2010.

Total service and fee income of $78.5 million increased 98.8% from $39.5 million in the first nine months of 2010 and included $12.1 million from related parties compared with $8.9 million in the first nine months of 2010.

Investment income, excluding net realized gains and losses, totaled $41.8 million, an increase of 6.6% from $39.2 million in the first nine months of 2010. 2011 year-to-date results also include net realized investment gains of $1.6 million, or $1.0 million after-tax, on certain fixed income and equity investments compared with gains of $2.7 million, or $1.8 million after-tax, in the first nine months of 2010. Additionally, operating earnings (1) included $24.2 million, net of non-controlling interest, related to gains on life settlement contracts.

Loss and loss adjustment expense totaled $484.1 million, an increase of $152.3 million from $331.8 million in the first nine months of 2010 and resulted in a loss ratio of 65.6% compared with 62.0% for the first nine months of 2010.

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expense of $284.1 million increased $61.0 million as compared to the first nine months of 2010. Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses less ceding commissions totaled $172.3 million compared with $120.0 million in the first nine months of 2010. The expense ratio was 23.4%, up from 22.4% in the first nine months of 2010.

Other expense of $62.8 million increased $27.0 million from $35.8 million in the first nine months of 2010, largely reflecting the effect of the Warrantech and Risk Services acquisitions during the first nine months of 2010.

Total assets of $5.4 billion increased 29.6% from $4.2 billion at December 31, 2010 and included a 31.7% increase in cash, cash equivalents and investments to $2.0 billion. AmTrust Financial shareholders' equity of $837.9 million increased 16.9% from $716.5 million at year-end 2010.

During the first nine months of 2011, the Board of Directors declared dividends totaling $0.25 per share. As of September 30, 2011, the Company's long-term, debt-to-capitalization ratio was 17.1% compared with 16.8% at year-end 2010.

(1) References to operating earnings, operating diluted EPS, and operating return on equity are non-GAAP financial measures defined by the Company as results excluding after-tax net realized investment gains and losses on securities, non-cash amortization of certain intangible assets, foreign currency transaction gain and loss, bargain purchase gain and gain on investments in unconsolidated subsidiary. Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures table at the end of this release for important information about the use of these non-GAAP measures and their reconciliation to GAAP.

Conference Call:

On November 1, 2011 at 9 a.m. ET, CEO Barry Zyskind and CFO Ron Pipoly will review these results via a conference call and webcast that may be accessed as follows:

Toll-Free Dial-in:   877.755.7421

Toll Dial-in (Outside the U.S):   973.200.3087

Webcast registration: http://ir.amtrustgroup.com/events.cfm

A replay of the conference call will be available at approximately 12:00 p.m. ET Tuesday, November 1, 2011 through November 8, 2011. To listen to the replay, please dial 855.859.2056 (within the U.S.) or 404.537.3406 (outside the U.S.) and enter replay passcode 19862328, or access http://ir.amtrustgroup.com/events.cfm.

About AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., headquartered in New York City, is a multinational insurance holding company, which, through its insurance carriers, offers specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, commercial automobile and general liability; extended service and warranty coverage. For more information about AmTrust, visit www.amtrustgroup.com, or call AmTrust toll-free at 866.203.3037.

The AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3280

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that actual developments will be those anticipated by the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements as a result of significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, non-receipt of expected payments from insureds or reinsurers, changes in interest rates, a downgrade in the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries, the effect of the performance of financial markets on our investment portfolio, development of claims and the effect on loss reserves, accuracy in projecting loss reserves, the cost and availability of reinsurance coverage, the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues, changes in the demand for our products, successful integration of acquired businesses, the effect of general economic conditions, adverse state and federal legislation, regulations and regulatory investigations into industry practices, risks associated with conducting business outside the United States, developments relating to existing agreements, disruptions to our business relationships with Maiden Holdings, Ltd., American Capital Acquisition Corporation, or third party agencies and warranty administrators, difficulties with technology, heightened competition, changes in pricing environments, and changes in asset valuations. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements except as may be required by law. Additional information about these risks and uncertainties, as well as others that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

AFSI-F

         
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Income Statement
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
         
   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2011 2010 2011 2010
         
Gross written premium  $ 561,222  $ 339,084  $ 1,563,711  $ 1,085,957
         
Premium income        
 Net written premium  $ 321,903  $ 182,837  $ 931,603  $ 568,644
 Change in unearned premium  (33,055)  8,048  (194,135)  (33,398)
 Net earned premium  288,848  190,885  737,468  535,246
         
Ceding commission (primarily related party)  40,732  37,903  111,830  103,109
Service and fee income  28,815  22,418  78,546  39,505
Investment income, net  14,456  10,952  41,815  39,237
Net realized gains (loss)  550  7,460  1,581  2,701
Commission and other revenues  84,553  78,733  233,772  184,552
         
Total revenue  373,401  269,618  971,240  719,798
         
Loss and loss adjustment expense  185,352  120,432  484,056  331,763
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expense  113,270  82,152  284,084  223,077
Other expense  24,045  20,210  62,805  35,780
   322,667  222,794  830,945  590,620
         
Income before other, provision for income taxes, equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries and non-controlling interest  50,734  46,824  140,295  129,178
         
Other income (expense):        
Foreign currency gain (loss)  (4,063)  (141)  (1,827)  (103)
Interest expense  (3,946)  (3,410)  (12,034)  (10,045)
Bargain purchase on Majestic transaction  2,665  --   2,665  -- 
Income from life settlement contracts  6,822  11,855  48,346  11,855
   1,478  8,304  37,150  1,707
         
Income before provision for income taxes, equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries and non-controlling interest  52,212 55,128 177,445 130,885
         
Provision for income taxes  (13,182)  (13,935)  (29,508)  (37,942)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries (related parties)  (447)  4,030  6,753  21,803
Non-controlling interest  (3,487)  (5,927)  (24,249)  (5,927)
Net income  $ 35,096  $ 39,296  $ 130,441  $ 108,819
         
Operating earnings (3)  $ 42,199  $ 35,736  $ 138,755  $ 103,846
         
Earnings per common share:        
 Basic earnings per share  $ 0.59  $ 0.65  $ 2.18  $ 1.82
 Diluted earnings per share  $ 0.57  $ 0.64  $ 2.12  $ 1.80
Operating diluted earnings per share (4)  $ 0.68  $ 0.58  $ 2.25  $ 1.72
         
Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding   59,955  59,490  59,802  59,420
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding   61,884  60,375  61,505  60,270
         
Combined ratio 89.3% 86.3% 89.0% 84.4%
         
Return on equity 16.9% 23.5% 22.4% 22.9%
Operating return on equity (5) 20.3% 21.1% 23.8% 21.4%
         
Reconciliation of net realized losses:        
Other-than-temporary investment impairments  $ --   $ (4,051)  $ (345)  $ (21,196)
Impairments recognized in other comprehensive income  --   --   --   -- 
   --   (4,051)  (345)  (21,196)
Net realized gains on sale of investments  550  11,511  1,926  23,897
Net realized gains  $ 550  $ 7,460  $ 1,581  $ 2,701
       
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Balance Sheet Highlights
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
       
  September 30, December 31,   
  2011 2010  
       
Cash, cash equivalents and investments  $ 2,037,330  $ 1,558,961  
Premiums receivables  847,410  727,561  
Goodwill and intangible assets  292,730  197,826  
Total assets  5,419,349  4,182,453  
Loss and loss expense reserves  1,782,953  1,263,537  
Unearned premium  1,274,562  1,024,965  
Trust preferred securities  123,714  123,714  
AmTrust's stockholders' equity  $ 837,916  $ 716,514  
         
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
         
   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2011 2010 2011 2010
         
Reconciliation of net income to operating earnings:        
Net income  $ 35,096  $ 39,296  $ 130,441  $ 108,819
Less: Net realized gains (loss) net of tax  358  4,849  1,028  1,756
Gain on investment in unconsolidated subsidiary net of tax (1)  (2,349)  --   (2,349)  6,792
Gain on Majestic transaction net of tax (2)  1,732  --   1,732  -- 
Foreign currency transaction gain ( loss)  (4,063)  (141)  (1,827)  (103)
Non cash amortization of certain intangible assets  (2,781)  (1,148)  (6,898)  (3,472)
Operating earnings (3)  $ 42,199  $ 35,736  $ 138,755  $ 103,846
         
Reconciliation of diluted earnings per share to diluted operating earnings per share:        
Diluted earnings per share  $ 0.57  $ 0.64  $ 2.12  $ 1.80
Less: Net realized gains (loss) net of tax  --   0.08  0.02  0.03
Gain on investment in unconsolidated subsidiary net of tax  (0.04)  --   (0.04)  0.11
Gain on Majestic transaction net of tax  0.03  --   0.03  -- 
Foreign currency transaction gain and loss  (0.06)  --   (0.03)  -- 
Non cash amortization of certain intangible assets  (0.04)  (0.02)  (0.11)  (0.06)
Operating diluted earnings per share (4)  $ 0.68  $ 0.58  $ 2.25  $ 1.72
         
         
Reconciliation of return on equity to operating return on equity:        
Return on equity 16.9% 23.5% 22.4% 22.9%
Less: Net realized gains (loss) net of tax 0.1% 2.8% 0.2% 0.3%
Gain on investment in unconsolidated subsidiary net of tax (1.1)% --% (0.4)% 1.4%
Gain on Majestic transaction net of tax 0.8% --% 0.3% --%
Foreign currency transaction gain and loss (1.9)% --% (0.3)% --%
Non cash amortization of certain intangible assets (1.3)% (0.4)% (1.2)% (0.7)%
Operating return on equity (5) 20.3% 21.1% 23.8% 21.9%
         
(1) In 2011, the Company recorded its final purchase price adjustment related to ACAC's 2010 purchase of GMAC's consumer property and casualty insurance business. The Company originally recorded an after tax gain of $6,792 related to this acquisition in 2010. ACAC finalized its purchase price accounting in 2011 and the impact of the Company's gain on acquisition was reduced by $2,349 on an after tax basis. As required under GAAP, the Company has recorded this adjustment in 2011 and included it as part of equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries (related parties), which was $(477) and $6,753 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. This purchase price adjustment is not included in the Company's calculation of operating earnings.
         
(2) The Company recorded a gain of $2,665 and after tax gain of $1,732 related to the renewal rights transaction with Majestic insurance. 
         
(3) Operating earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income less after-tax realized investment gains and losses, gain on investment in unconsolidated subsidiary net of tax, certain amortization expense and foreign currency transaction gain or loss and should not be considered an alternative to net income. The Company's management believes that operating earnings is a useful indicator of trends in the Company's underlying operations because it provides a more meaningful representation of Company's earnings power. The Company's measure of operating earnings may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
         
(4) Diluted operating earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income less after-tax net realized investment gains and losses, gain on investment in unconsolidated subsidiary net of tax, certain amortization expense and foreign currency transaction gain or loss divided by the weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the period and should not be considered an alternative to diluted earnings per share. The Company's management believes that diluted operating earnings per share is a useful indicator of trends in the Company's underlying operations because it provides a more meaningful representation of the Company's earnings power. The Company's measure of diluted operating earnings per share may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
         
(5) Operating return on equity is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income less net after-tax realized investment gains and losses, gain on investment in unconsolidated subsidiary net of tax, certain amortization expense and foreign currency transaction gain or loss divided by the average shareholders' equity for the period and should not be considered an alternative to return on equity. The Company's management believes that operating return on equity is a useful indicator of trends in the Company's underlying operations because it provides a more meaningful representation of the Company's earnings power. The Company's measure of operating return on equity may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
         
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Segment Information
(in thousands, except percentages)
(Unaudited)
         
   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2011 2010 2011 2010
Gross written premium        
Small Commercial Business  $ 145,418  $ 107,838  $ 460,741  $ 338,140
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty  256,493  146,155  749,743  495,799
Specialty Program  132,621  60,568  275,951  192,935
Personal Lines Reinsurance  26,690  24,523  77,276  59,083
   $ 561,222  $ 339,084  $ 1,563,711  $ 1,085,957
         
Net written premium        
Small Commercial Business  $ 79,070  $ 56,386  $ 269,942  $ 173,875
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty  149,238  78,377  438,963  238,642
Specialty Program  66,905  23,551  145,422  97,044
Personal Lines Reinsurance  26,690  24,523  77,276  59,083
   $ 321,903  $ 182,837  $ 931,603  $ 568,644
         
Net earned premium        
Small Commercial Business  $ 89,877  $ 64,415  $ 225,772  $ 189,279
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty  126,784  80,901  320,992  219,252
Specialty Program  46,947  27,379  117,855  99,172
Personal Lines Reinsurance  25,240  18,190  72,849  27,543
   $ 288,848  $ 190,885  $ 737,468  $ 535,246
         
Loss Ratio        
Small Commercial Business 62.0% 60.9% 63.1% 60.1%
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 65.5% 62.5% 67.5% 61.9%
Specialty Program 64.7% 70.3% 66.6% 65.6%
Personal Lines Reinsurance 64.0% 62.5% 64.0% 62.5%
Total 64.2% 63.1% 65.6% 62.0%
         
Expense Ratio        
Small Commercial Business 28.7% 25.6% 26.7% 24.9%
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 19.1% 18.4% 17.4% 17.4%
Specialty Program 30.5% 25.3% 27.5% 26.1%
Personal Lines Reinsurance 32.5% 32.5% 32.5% 32.5%
Total 25.1% 23.2% 23.4% 22.4%
         
Combined Ratio        
Small Commercial Business 90.7% 86.5% 89.8% 84.9%
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 84.7% 80.9% 84.9% 79.3%
Specialty Program 95.2% 95.6% 94.1% 91.7%
Personal Lines Reinsurance 96.5% 95.0% 96.5% 95.0%
Total 89.3% 86.3% 89.0% 84.4%
CONTACT: AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
         
         Investor Relations
         Elizabeth Malone CFA
         Hilly Gross
         New York, New York
         646.220.7023
         beth.malone@amtrustgroup.com
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