Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. (NASDAQ: GLRE) (“Greenlight Re” or the
“Company”) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter
ended December 31, 2018. Greenlight Re reported a net loss
attributable to common shareholders of $80.8 million for the fourth
quarter of 2018, compared to a net loss attributable to common
shareholders of $37.7 million for the same period in 2017. The net
loss per share for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $2.25, compared
to a net loss per share of $1.02 for the same period in 2017.
Fully diluted adjusted book value per share was
$13.10 as of December 31, 2018, compared to $22.22 per share as of
December 31, 2017 and $15.29 as of September 30, 2018.
Management Commentary
Simon Burton, Chief Executive Officer of
Greenlight Re, stated, “Our fourth quarter results were negatively
impacted by an investment loss of $56.4 million and an underwriting
loss of $18.0 million primarily due to losses related to Hurricane
Michael and the California wildfires. The net financial impact of
catastrophe losses incurred during the fourth quarter added 11.9
points to our 115.0% combined ratio.”
Mr. Burton concluded, “While our financial
performance in 2018 was weak, I am optimistic about our
positioning. Through the year we steadily improved the profile of
our underwriting business, which has led to a solid start to
2019. I’m encouraged by opportunities we are seeing in the open
market and in our Innovations and other strategic partnerships and
the progress has been achieved without compromising our focus on
expense control. I am also a firm believer in our value-investing
strategy and its potential to generate strong returns for our
shareholders.”
David Einhorn, Chairman of the Board of
Directors, stated, “The December equity market sell off contributed
significantly to our fourth quarter investment loss. We
remain committed to our long-term investing strategy despite a
difficult environment for value investing in 2018.”
Financial and Operating
Highlights
Fourth Quarter 2018
- Gross written premiums of $135.1 million, a decrease from
$139.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. The premium decrease
was primarily due to a reduction in exposure to a multi-line
casualty contract.
- Ceded premiums were $30.3 million compared to $42.7 million in
the prior year period as the Company continued to cede off a
portion of its non-standard automobile business.
- Net earned premiums were $119.6 million, a decrease from $141.1
million reported in the prior-year period.
- A net underwriting loss of $18.0 million. Catastrophe losses,
which were related primarily to Hurricane Michael and wildfires in
California had a net financial impact of $18.9 million during the
period. The underwriting loss of $19.7 million in the fourth
quarter of 2017 included losses from natural catastrophes including
hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
- Adverse prior year loss development of approximately $2.4
million, primarily due to a change in estimated reserves on
automobile contracts from the 2015 and 2016 accident years.
The net financial impact of this reserve development after
consideration of adjustments to ceding and profit commissions was a
loss of $4.2 million.
- A composite ratio for the quarter of 112.6%, compared to 111.8%
for the prior-year period. The combined ratio for the quarter
was 115.0% compared to 114.0% for the prior-year period.
Catastrophe losses contributed 11.9 percentage points to the
composite and combined ratios for the quarter.
- A net investment loss of $56.4 million, compared to net
investment loss of $16.2 million in the fourth quarter of
2017.
Year Ended December 31, 2018
- Gross written premiums were $567.5 million, compared to $692.7
million reported in the prior year.
- Net earned premiums were $508.4 million, compared to $626.0
million reported in the prior year.
- No significant prior year loss reserve development for the year
however the net financial impact of prior year reserve development
resulted in a loss of $7.4 million.
- A composite ratio for the year ended December 31, 2018 of
100.2%, compared to 106.1% for the prior year. The combined
ratio for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 102.8%, compared to
108.6% for the prior-year period. Catastrophe losses contributed
3.7 percentage points to the composite and combined ratios for
2018, compared to 6.9 percentage points for 2017.
- A net investment loss of $323.1 million, compared to net
investment income of $20.2 million reported in the prior
year.
- Net loss attributable to common shareholders was $350.1
million, or $9.74 per share, compared to a net loss of $45.0
million or $1.21 per share, in 2017.
Conference Call Details
Greenlight Re will hold a live conference call
to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and year
ended December 31, 2018 on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 9:00
a.m. Eastern time. The conference call title is Greenlight
Capital Re, Ltd. Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018 Earnings
Call.
To participate in the Greenlight Capital Re,
Ltd. Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018 Earnings Call, please dial in
to the conference call at:
U.S. toll free
1-888-336-7152International
1-412-902-4178
Telephone participants may avoid any delays by
pre-registering for the call using the following link to receive a
special dial-in number and PIN.
Conference Call registration link:
http://dpregister.com/10128657
The conference call can also be accessed via
webcast at:
https://services.choruscall.com/links/glre190228.html
A telephone replay of the call will be available
from 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on February 28, 2019 until 9:00
a.m. Eastern time on March 7, 2019. The replay of the call
may be accessed by dialing 1-877-344-7529 (U.S. toll free) or
1-412-317-0088 (international), access code 10128657. An audio file
of the call will also be available on the Company’s website,
www.greenlightre.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In presenting the Company’s results, management
has included financial measures that are not calculated under
standards or rules that comprise accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States (GAAP). Such measures, including
fully diluted adjusted book value per share and net underwriting
income (loss), are referred to as non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP
measures may be defined or calculated differently by other
companies. Management believes these measures allow for a more
complete understanding of the underlying business. These measures
are used to monitor our results and should not be viewed as a
substitute for those determined in accordance with GAAP.
Reconciliations of such measures to the most comparable GAAP
figures are included in the attached financial information in
accordance with Regulation G.
Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S.
federal securities laws. We intend these forward-looking statements
to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking
statements in the U.S. Federal securities laws. These statements
involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those contained in forward-looking
statements made on behalf of the Company. These risks and
uncertainties include the impact of general economic conditions and
conditions affecting the insurance and reinsurance industry, the
adequacy of our reserves, our ability to assess underwriting risk,
trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and
reinsurance, competition, investment market fluctuations, trends in
insured and paid losses, catastrophes, regulatory and legal
uncertainties and other factors described in our annual report on
Form 10-K filed with the Securities Exchange Commission. 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, except as provided by law.
About Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd.Established in
2004, Greenlight Re (www.greenlightre.com) is a NASDAQ listed
company with specialist property and casualty reinsurance companies
based in the Cayman Islands and Ireland. Greenlight Re
provides risk management products and services to the insurance,
reinsurance and other risk marketplaces. The Company focuses
on delivering risk solutions to clients and brokers by whom
Greenlight Re's expertise, analytics and customer service offerings
are demanded. With an emphasis on deriving superior returns
from both sides of the balance sheet, Greenlight Re manages its
assets according to a value-oriented equity-focused strategy that
supports the goal of long-term growth in book value per share.
About Greenlight Re
InnovationsGreenlight Re Innovations was launched as a
unit of Greenlight Re in March 2018 to support technology
innovators working in the areas of risk preparedness, prevention,
post-loss mitigation and risk finance. Over the past three months,
Greenlight’s Innovation Unit has announced several strategic
investments, including:
- October 17, 2018: Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. Announces
Investment in Digital Insurance Processing Platform Click2Sure
- October 5, 2018: Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. Announces
Strategic Investment in Healthcare Third Party Administrator Sana
Benefits
- September 28, 2018: Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. Announces
Investment in Blockchain Business Galileo Platforms
Contact:
Investor Relations:Adam PriorThe Equity Group
Inc.(212) 836-9606IR@greenlightre.ky
Public Relations/Media:Mairi MallonRein4ce+44
(0)203 786 1160mairi.mallon@rein4ce.co.uk
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE,
LTD.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2018 and 2017
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share
and share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
2018 |
|
2017 |
Assets |
|
|
|
Investments |
|
|
|
Investment in related
party investment fund, at fair value |
$ |
235,612 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Debt instruments,
trading, at fair value |
— |
|
|
7,180 |
|
Equity securities,
trading, at fair value |
36,908 |
|
|
1,203,672 |
|
Other investments |
11,408 |
|
|
152,132 |
|
Total investments |
283,928 |
|
|
1,362,984 |
|
Cash and cash
equivalents |
18,215 |
|
|
27,285 |
|
Restricted cash and
cash equivalents |
685,016 |
|
|
1,503,813 |
|
Financial contracts
receivable, at fair value |
— |
|
|
12,893 |
|
Reinsurance balances
receivable |
300,251 |
|
|
301,762 |
|
Loss and loss
adjustment expenses recoverable |
43,705 |
|
|
29,459 |
|
Deferred acquisition
costs, net |
49,929 |
|
|
62,350 |
|
Unearned premiums
ceded |
24,981 |
|
|
25,120 |
|
Notes receivable,
net |
26,861 |
|
|
28,497 |
|
Other assets |
2,559 |
|
|
3,230 |
|
Total
assets |
$ |
1,435,445 |
|
|
$ |
3,357,393 |
|
Liabilities and
equity |
|
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
Due to related party
investment fund |
$ |
9,642 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Securities sold, not
yet purchased, at fair value |
— |
|
|
912,797 |
|
Financial contracts
payable, at fair value |
— |
|
|
22,222 |
|
Due to prime brokers
and other financial institutions |
— |
|
|
672,700 |
|
Loss and loss
adjustment expense reserves |
482,662 |
|
|
464,380 |
|
Unearned premium
reserves |
211,789 |
|
|
255,818 |
|
Reinsurance balances
payable |
139,218 |
|
|
144,058 |
|
Funds withheld |
16,418 |
|
|
23,579 |
|
Other liabilities |
5,067 |
|
|
10,413 |
|
Convertible senior
notes payable, net of deferred costs |
91,185 |
|
|
— |
|
Total
liabilities |
955,981 |
|
|
2,505,967 |
|
|
|
|
|
Redeemable
non-controlling interest in related party joint venture |
1,692 |
|
|
7,169 |
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
Preferred share capital
(par value $0.10; authorized, 50,000,000; none issued) |
— |
|
|
— |
|
Ordinary share capital
(Class A: par value $0.10; authorized, 100,000,000; issued
andoutstanding, 30,130,214 (2017: 31,104,830): Class B: par value
$0.10; authorized,25,000,000; issued and outstanding, 6,254,715
(2017: 6,254,715)) |
3,638 |
|
|
3,736 |
|
Additional paid-in
capital |
499,726 |
|
|
503,316 |
|
Retained earnings
(deficit) |
(26,077 |
) |
|
324,272 |
|
Shareholders’
equity attributable to Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. |
477,287 |
|
|
831,324 |
|
Non-controlling
interest in related party joint venture |
485 |
|
|
12,933 |
|
Total
equity |
477,772 |
|
|
844,257 |
|
Total
liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and
equity |
$ |
1,435,445 |
|
|
$ |
3,357,393 |
|
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE,
LTD.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS
Years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and
2016(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars,
except per share and share amounts)
|
2018 |
|
2017 |
|
2016 |
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
Gross premiums
written |
$ |
567,531 |
|
|
$ |
692,651 |
|
|
$ |
536,072 |
|
Gross premiums
ceded |
(102,788 |
) |
|
(56,587 |
) |
|
(10,015 |
) |
Net premiums
written |
464,743 |
|
|
636,064 |
|
|
526,057 |
|
Change in net unearned
premium reserves |
43,620 |
|
|
(10,060 |
) |
|
(12,939 |
) |
Net premiums
earned |
508,363 |
|
|
626,004 |
|
|
513,118 |
|
Income (loss) from
investment in related party investment fund [net of related party
expenses of $3,100, $0 and $0, respectively] |
(60,573 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Net investment income
(loss) [net of related partyexpenses of $11,221, $19,863 and
$24,543, respectively] |
(262,533 |
) |
|
20,231 |
|
|
76,183 |
|
Other income (expense),
net |
(2,228 |
) |
|
(560 |
) |
|
(935 |
) |
Total revenues |
183,029 |
|
|
645,675 |
|
|
588,366 |
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
Loss and loss
adjustment expenses incurred, net |
363,873 |
|
|
502,404 |
|
|
380,815 |
|
Acquisition costs,
net |
145,475 |
|
|
161,740 |
|
|
134,534 |
|
General and
administrative expenses |
25,173 |
|
|
26,356 |
|
|
25,808 |
|
Interest expense |
2,505 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Total expenses |
537,026 |
|
|
690,500 |
|
|
541,157 |
|
Income (loss) before
income tax |
(353,997 |
) |
|
(44,825 |
) |
|
47,209 |
|
Income tax (expense)
benefit |
(332 |
) |
|
451 |
|
|
(509 |
) |
Net income (loss) |
(354,329 |
) |
|
(44,374 |
) |
|
46,700 |
|
Loss (income)
attributable to non-controlling interest in related party joint
venture |
4,275 |
|
|
(578 |
) |
|
(1,819 |
) |
Net income
(loss) attributable to Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. |
$ |
(350,054 |
) |
|
$ |
(44,952 |
) |
|
$ |
44,881 |
|
Earnings (loss)
per share |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
$ |
(9.74 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.21 |
) |
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
Diluted |
$ |
(9.74 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.21 |
) |
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
Weighted
average number of ordinary shares used in the determination of
earnings and loss per share |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
35,951,659 |
|
|
37,002,260 |
|
|
37,267,145 |
|
Diluted |
35,951,659 |
|
|
37,002,260 |
|
|
37,340,018 |
|
The following table provides the ratios for the years ended
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31 |
|
Year ended December 31 |
|
Year ended December 31 |
|
2018 |
|
2017 |
|
2016 |
|
Property |
|
Casualty |
|
Other |
|
Total |
|
Property |
|
Casualty |
|
Other |
|
Total |
|
Property |
|
Casualty |
|
Other |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss ratio |
75.6 |
% |
|
75.5 |
% |
|
56.0 |
% |
|
71.6 |
% |
|
94.0 |
% |
|
78.8 |
% |
|
66.0 |
% |
|
80.3 |
% |
|
66.9 |
% |
|
78.9 |
% |
|
61.2 |
% |
|
74.2 |
% |
Acquisition cost
ratio |
24.0 |
|
|
26.2 |
|
|
40.1 |
|
|
28.6 |
|
|
26.7 |
|
|
23.8 |
|
|
33.5 |
|
|
25.8 |
|
|
29.9 |
|
|
24.5 |
|
|
29.8 |
|
|
26.2 |
|
Composite ratio |
99.6 |
% |
|
101.7 |
% |
|
96.1 |
% |
|
100.2 |
% |
|
120.7 |
% |
|
102.6 |
% |
|
99.5 |
% |
|
106.1 |
% |
|
96.8 |
% |
|
103.4 |
% |
|
91.0 |
% |
|
100.4 |
% |
Underwriting expense
ratio |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
Combined ratio |
|
|
|
|
|
|
102.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
108.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
103.6 |
% |
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE,
LTD.NON-GAAP MEASURES AND
RECONCILIATION
Basic Adjusted Book Value Per Share and
Fully Diluted Adjusted Book Value Per Share
We believe that long-term growth in fully
diluted adjusted book value per share is the most relevant measure
of our financial performance because it provides management and
investors a yardstick by which to monitor the shareholder value
generated. In addition, fully diluted adjusted book value per share
may be useful to our investors, shareholders and other interested
parties to form a basis of comparison with other companies within
the property and casualty reinsurance industry.
Basic adjusted book value per share is
considered a non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes from
the total equity the non-controlling interest in related party
joint venture. Fully diluted adjusted book value per share is also
considered a non-GAAP financial measure and represents basic
adjusted book value per share combined with the impact of dilution
of all in-the-money stock options and RSUs issued and outstanding
as of any period end. In addition, the fully diluted adjusted book
value per share includes the dilutive effect, if any, of ordinary
shares to be issued upon conversion of the convertible notes. We
adjust the total equity by excluding the non-controlling interest
in related party joint venture because it does not reflect the
equity attributable to our shareholders. Basic adjusted book value
per share and fully diluted adjusted book value per share should
not be viewed as substitutes for the comparable U.S. GAAP
measures.
Our primary financial goal is to increase the
long-term value in fully diluted adjusted book value per share.
The following table presents a reconciliation of
the non-GAAP financial measures basic adjusted and fully diluted
adjusted book value per share to the most comparable U.S. GAAP
measure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
December 31, 2016 |
|
($ in thousands, except per share and
share amounts) |
Numerator for
basic adjusted and fully diluted adjusted book value per
share: |
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity (U.S.
GAAP) |
$ |
477,772 |
|
|
$ |
844,257 |
|
|
$ |
885,803 |
|
Less: Non-controlling
interest in joint venture |
(485 |
) |
|
(12,933 |
) |
|
(11,561 |
) |
Numerator for
basic adjusted book value per share |
477,287 |
|
|
831,324 |
|
|
874,242 |
|
Add: Proceeds from
in-the-money stock options issued and outstanding |
— |
|
|
13,859 |
|
|
2,120 |
|
Numerator for fully
diluted adjusted book value per share |
$ |
477,287 |
|
|
$ |
845,183 |
|
|
$ |
876,362 |
|
Denominator for
basic adjusted and fully diluted adjusted book value per
share: |
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares issued
and outstanding (denominator for basic adjusted book
value per share) |
36,384,929 |
|
|
37,359,545 |
|
|
37,366,327 |
|
Add: In-the-money
stock options and RSUs issued and outstanding |
46,398 |
|
|
679,684 |
|
|
123,320 |
|
Denominator for fully
diluted adjusted book value per share |
36,431,327 |
|
|
38,039,229 |
|
|
37,489,647 |
|
Basic adjusted book
value per share |
$ |
13.12 |
|
|
$ |
22.25 |
|
|
$ |
23.40 |
|
Increase (decrease) in
basic adjusted book value per share ($) |
(9.13 |
) |
|
(1.15 |
) |
|
1.11 |
|
Increase (decrease) in
basic adjusted book value per share (%) |
(41.0 |
) |
|
(4.9 |
) |
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fully diluted adjusted
book value per share |
$ |
13.10 |
|
|
$ |
22.22 |
|
|
$ |
23.38 |
|
Change in fully diluted
adjusted book value per share ($) |
(9.12 |
) |
|
(1.16 |
) |
|
1.21 |
|
Change in fully diluted
adjusted book value per share (%) |
(41.0 |
) |
|
(5.0 |
) |
|
5.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Underwriting Income
(Loss)
One way that we evaluate the Company’s
underwriting performance is through the measurement of net
underwriting income (loss). We do not use premiums written as a
measure of performance. Net underwriting income (loss) is a
performance measure used by management as it measures the
underlying fundamentals of the Company’s underwriting operations.
We believe that the use of net underwriting income (loss) enables
investors and other users of the Company’s financial information to
analyze our performance in a manner similar to how management
analyzes performance. Management also believes that this measure
follows industry practice and allows the users of financial
information to compare the Company’s performance with its those of
our industry peer group.
Net underwriting income (loss) is considered a
non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes items used in the
calculation of net income before taxes under U.S. GAAP. The
measure includes underwriting expenses which are directly related
to underwriting activities as well as a portion of general and
administrative expenses. Net underwriting income (loss) is
calculated as net premiums earned, plus other income (expense)
related to underwriting activities, less net loss and loss
adjustment expenses, less acquisition costs, and less underwriting
expenses. The measure excludes, on a recurring basis: (1) net
investment income (loss); (2) foreign exchange gains or losses; (3)
corporate general and administrative expenses; (4) interest expense
and other income (expense) not related to underwriting, (5) income
taxes and (6) income attributable to non-controlling interest. We
exclude total investment related income or loss and foreign
exchange gains or losses as we believe these items are influenced
by market conditions and other factors not related to underwriting
decisions. We exclude corporate expenses because these expenses are
generally fixed and not incremental to or directly related to our
underwriting operations. We believe all of these amounts are
largely independent of our underwriting process and including them
could hinder the analysis of trends in our underwriting operations.
We include other income and expense relating to deposit accounted
contracts and industry loss warranty contracts, which we consider
part of our underwriting operations. Net underwriting income (loss)
should not be viewed as a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income.
The reconciliations of net underwriting income
(loss) to income (loss) before income taxes (the most directly
comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure) on a consolidated basis is
shown below:
|
Year ended December 31 |
|
2018 |
|
2017 |
|
2016 |
|
($ in thousands) |
Income (loss) before
income tax |
$ |
(353,997 |
) |
|
$ |
(44,825 |
) |
|
$ |
47,209 |
|
Add (subtract): |
|
|
|
|
|
Investment related (income) loss |
323,106 |
|
|
(20,231 |
) |
|
(76,183 |
) |
Other
(income) expense |
1,943 |
|
|
210 |
|
|
935 |
|
Corporate
expenses |
12,059 |
|
|
11,218 |
|
|
9,225 |
|
Interest
expense |
2,505 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Net underwriting income
(loss) |
$ |
(14,384 |
) |
|
$ |
(53,628 |
) |
|
$ |
(18,814 |
) |
Greenlight Capital Re (NASDAQ:GLRE)
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Greenlight Capital Re (NASDAQ:GLRE)
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From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024