First Quarter Highlights
- Operating income(1) of $117.7
million increased 91.6% from $61.4
million in the prior-year quarter
- Combined ratio of 93.4%; combined ratio, excluding
catastrophes(2) of 89.8%
- Net premiums written increase of 9.7%*, with strong growth from
each segment
- Rate increases(3) of 6.3% in Core Commercial, 8.4%
in Specialty, and 2.7% in Personal Lines
- Renewal price change(3) up 9.7% in Core Commercial,
12.6% in Specialty and 4.3% in Personal Lines
- Catastrophe loss ratio of 3.6%, below the company's first
quarter catastrophe assumption by 1.2 points
- Current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ("LAE")
ratio, excluding catastrophes(4), of 59.2%, as continued
favorable loss frequency in personal auto and the earning-in of
rate increases across commercial lines businesses were offset by
the impact of higher property severity in Personal Lines
- Net investment income of $76.9
million, in line with the prior-year quarter, as both
periods benefited from similar elevated levels of partnership
income
- Book value per share of $79.58,
down 10.2% from December 31, 2021,
driven by a decrease in the fair value of fixed maturity
investments resulting from higher interest rates. Book value per
share, excluding net unrealized depreciation on fixed maturity
investments, net of tax(5), increased 2.0% from
December 31, 2021
WORCESTER, Mass., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hanover Insurance
Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG) today reported net income of $104.8 million, or $2.90 per diluted share, in the first quarter of
2022, compared to $92.7 million, or
$2.51 per diluted share, in the
prior-year quarter. Operating income was
$117.7 million, or
$3.26 per diluted share, for the
first quarter of 2022. This compared to operating income of
$61.4 million, or $1.66 per diluted share, in the prior-year
quarter.
"Our strong first quarter results are compelling evidence that
our strategic initiatives are delivering across our business," said
John C. Roche, president and chief
executive officer at The Hanover. "We continued to build on
our positive momentum, achieving operating return on
equity(6) of 15.7% and record first quarter operating
income per diluted share of $3.26.
Our distinctive and winning agency strategy demonstrated its
effectiveness, leading to profitable growth of 9.7%, with
contributions from each of our business segments. We are laser
focused on ensuring pricing adequacy across our business in light
of heightened inflationary trends. This discipline is reflected in
expanded renewal price increases in each of our business segments,
with Core Commercial up 9.7%, Specialty up 12.6%, and Personal
Lines up 4.3%, and we believe the market continues to react
rationally. The Personal Lines market is firming rapidly and
favoring carriers that have shown more pricing discipline in the
recent past. As we look ahead, we remain on track with our
long-term targets for underwriting returns and operating ROE, which
will likely be augmented by stronger net investment income. We are
focused on driving profitable growth across our portfolio, enabling
us to continue to innovate and modernize our business, and create
increased value for our shareholders, agents, customers, and other
stakeholders."
"We delivered an ex-CAT combined ratio of 89.8%, the eighth
sequential quarter of a sub-90s ratio, with broad-based
profitability and contributions from all segments," said
Jeffrey M. Farber, executive vice
president and chief financial officer at The Hanover. "Our focus on driving additional
operational efficiencies resulted in a 31.1% expense
ratio(7), a 50-basis-point decrease compared to last
year's first quarter and solidly in-line with our full year target.
Our high-quality diversified investment portfolio generated
significant pre-tax net investment income of $77 million, and we look forward to increased
fixed income portfolio contributions in a rising interest rate
environment. We're confident that our team's talent and commitment
to excellence will further propel our robust, profitable growth and
earnings improvement, as we execute on our differentiated
agency- and customer-focused strategy."
|
Three months
ended
|
|
|
March 31
|
|
($ in
millions, except per share data)
|
2022
|
|
2021
|
|
Net premiums
written
|
$1,312.3
|
|
$1,196.1
|
|
Growth
|
9.7%
|
|
5.2%
|
|
Net premiums
earned
|
1,263.8
|
|
1,161.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current accident year
loss and LAE ratio, excluding catastrophes
|
59.2 %
|
|
56.4 %
|
|
Prior-year development
ratio
|
(0.5)%
|
|
(0.7)%
|
|
Catastrophe
ratio
|
3.6 %
|
|
11.5 %
|
|
Expense
ratio
|
31.1 %
|
|
31.6 %
|
|
Combined
ratio
|
93.4 %
|
|
98.8 %
|
|
Combined ratio,
excluding catastrophes
|
89.8 %
|
|
87.3 %
|
|
Current accident year
combined ratio, excluding catastrophes(2)
|
90.3 %
|
|
88.0 %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
$104.8
|
|
$92.7
|
|
per diluted
share
|
2.90
|
|
2.51
|
|
Operating
income
|
117.7
|
|
61.4
|
|
per diluted
share
|
3.26
|
|
1.66
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Book value per
share
|
$79.58
|
|
$84.21
|
|
Ending shares
outstanding (in millions)
|
35.6
|
|
36.2
|
|
|
(1) See
information about this and other non-GAAP measures and definitions
used throughout this press release on the final pages of this
document.
|
The Hanover Insurance
Group, Inc. may also be referred to as "The Hanover" or "the
company" interchangeably throughout this press release.
|
|
*Unless otherwise
stated, net premiums written growth and other growth comparisons
are to the same period of the prior year
|
First Quarter Operating
Highlights
Core Commercial
Core Commercial operating income
before taxes was $67.5 million in the
first quarter of 2022, compared to an operating loss of
$14.8 million in the
first quarter of 2021. The Core Commercial combined ratio was
93.0%, compared to 111.7% in the prior-year quarter. Catastrophe
losses in the first quarter of 2022 were $19.7 million, or 4.1 points of the combined
ratio. This compares to catastrophe losses of $94.4 million, or 21.7 points, in the prior-year
quarter.
First quarter 2022 results included $6.4 million, or 1.3 points, of net
favorable prior-year reserve development, driven primarily by
continued favorability in workers' compensation. This compared to
net favorable prior-year reserve development of $2.7 million, or 0.6 points, in the
first quarter of 2021.
Core Commercial current accident year combined ratio, excluding
catastrophes, decreased 0.4 points to 90.2% in the
first quarter of 2022, from 90.6% in the prior-year quarter.
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding
catastrophes, decreased by 0.2 points to 57.4%, as the
earning-in of rate increases was partially offset by property large
loss experience in commercial multiple peril.
The expense ratio decreased by 0.2 points to 32.8% in the
first quarter of 2022, primarily attributable to fixed cost
leverage from premium growth.
Net premiums written were $526.6
million in the quarter, up 9.6% from the prior-year quarter,
primarily driven by strong growth of 10.3% in small commercial and
growth of 8.7% in middle market. Core Commercial average rate
increased 6.3% in the first quarter, while renewal price
change averaged 9.7%.
The following table summarizes premiums and the components of
the combined ratio for Core Commercial:
|
Three months
ended
|
|
|
March 31
|
|
($ in
millions)
|
2022
|
|
2021
|
|
Net premiums
written
|
$526.6
|
|
$480.6
|
|
Growth
|
9.6%
|
|
4.3%
|
|
Net premiums
earned
|
474.7
|
|
435.2
|
|
Operating income
(loss) before taxes
|
67.5
|
|
(14.8)
|
|
Loss and LAE
ratio
|
60.2%
|
|
78.7%
|
|
Expense
ratio
|
32.8%
|
|
33.0%
|
|
Combined
ratio
|
93.0%
|
|
111.7%
|
|
Prior-year development
ratio
|
(1.3)%
|
|
(0.6)%
|
|
Catastrophe
ratio
|
4.1 %
|
|
21.7 %
|
|
Combined ratio,
excluding catastrophes
|
88.9 %
|
|
90.0 %
|
|
Current accident year
combined ratio, excluding catastrophes
|
90.2 %
|
|
90.6 %
|
|
Specialty
Specialty operating income before taxes was $50.0 million in the first quarter of 2022,
compared to $17.0 million in the
first quarter of 2021. The Specialty combined ratio was 87.7%,
compared to 98.8% in the prior-year quarter. Catastrophe losses in
the first quarter of 2022 were $7.6
million, or 2.7 points of the combined ratio. This compares
to catastrophe losses of $24.4
million, or 9.5 points, in the prior-year quarter.
First quarter 2022 results included $13.2
million, or 4.7 points, of net favorable prior-year reserve
development, with contributions from multiple lines across multiple
accident years. This compared to net favorable prior-year reserve
development of $0.6 million, or 0.2
points, in the first quarter of 2021.
Specialty current accident year combined ratio, excluding
catastrophes, increased 0.2 points to 89.7% in the first quarter of
2022, from 89.5% in the prior-year quarter. The current accident
year loss and LAE ratio, excluding catastrophes, increased by 0.7
points to 54.3%, as the benefit from earning-in rate increases was
offset by a few large property losses in the company's specialty
property and casualty subsegment.
The expense ratio decreased 0.5 points to 35.4% in the first
quarter of 2022, primarily attributable to fixed cost leverage from
premium growth.
Net premiums written were $302.8
million in the quarter, up 9.4% from the prior-year quarter,
driven primarily by rate and exposure increases. Specialty average
rate increased 8.4% in the first quarter, while renewal price
change averaged 12.6%.
The following table summarizes premiums and the components of
the combined ratio for Specialty:
|
Three months
ended
|
|
|
March 31
|
|
($ in
millions)
|
2022
|
|
2021
|
|
Net premiums
written
|
$302.8
|
|
$276.8
|
|
Growth
|
9.4%
|
|
12.1%
|
|
Net premiums
earned
|
283.8
|
|
257.7
|
|
Operating income
before taxes
|
50.0
|
|
17.0
|
|
Loss and LAE
ratio
|
52.3%
|
|
62.9%
|
|
Expense
ratio
|
35.4%
|
|
35.9%
|
|
Combined
ratio
|
87.7%
|
|
98.8%
|
|
Prior-year development
ratio
|
(4.7)%
|
|
(0.2)%
|
|
Catastrophe
ratio
|
2.7 %
|
|
9.5 %
|
|
Combined ratio,
excluding catastrophes
|
85.0 %
|
|
89.3 %
|
|
Current accident year
combined ratio, excluding catastrophes
|
89.7 %
|
|
89.5 %
|
|
Personal Lines
Personal Lines operating income before taxes was $36.3 million in the first quarter of 2022,
compared to $81.8 million in the
first quarter of 2021. The Personal Lines combined ratio was 97.1%,
compared to 87.0% in the prior-year quarter. Catastrophe losses in
the first quarter of 2022 were $18.2
million, or 3.6 points of the combined ratio, compared to
$14.5 million, or 3.1 points of the
combined ratio, in the prior-year quarter.
First quarter 2022 results included net unfavorable prior-year
reserve development of $13.6 million,
or 2.7 points, driven by higher severity and longer cycle times in
homeowners repair activity, primarily related to fourth quarter
2021 claims, which resulted in an increase of supplemental payments
on closed claims. This compares to net favorable prior-year reserve
development of $5.2 million, or 1.1
points, in the first quarter of 2021, driven by auto.
Personal Lines current accident year combined ratio, excluding
catastrophe losses, increased 5.8 points to 90.8% in the first
quarter of 2022, from 85.0% in the prior-year quarter. The current
accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding catastrophes, increased
6.6 points to 63.6%, attributable to increased property severity
and, to a lesser extent, lower frequency benefit in auto due to the
unusually suppressed level of claims in the first quarter of 2021.
Loss frequency in auto remains below pre-pandemic levels. The
increase in homeowners property severity in the first quarter of
2022 was partially offset by fewer large fire losses and more
benign non-catastrophe weather losses in the quarter, compared to
the first quarter of 2021.
The expense ratio decreased by 0.8 points to 27.2% in the first
quarter of 2022, primarily attributable to fixed cost leverage from
premium growth and lower performance-based agency compensation.
Net premiums written were $482.9
million in the quarter, up 10.1% from the prior-year
quarter, driven by higher renewals and new business. Personal Lines
renewal price change averaged 4.3% in the first quarter of 2022,
while average rate increases were 2.7%.
The following table summarizes premiums and components of the
combined ratio for Personal Lines:
|
Three months
ended
|
|
|
March 31
|
|
($ in
millions)
|
2022
|
|
2021
|
|
Net premiums
written
|
$482.9
|
|
$438.7
|
|
Growth
|
10.1%
|
|
2.2%
|
|
Net premiums
earned
|
505.3
|
|
468.9
|
|
Operating income
before taxes
|
36.3
|
|
81.8
|
|
Loss and LAE
ratio
|
69.9%
|
|
59.0%
|
|
Expense
ratio
|
27.2%
|
|
28.0%
|
|
Combined
ratio
|
97.1%
|
|
87.0%
|
|
Prior-year development
ratio
|
2.7 %
|
|
(1.1)%
|
|
Catastrophe
ratio
|
3.6 %
|
|
3.1 %
|
|
Combined ratio,
excluding catastrophes
|
93.5 %
|
|
83.9 %
|
|
Current accident year
combined ratio, excluding catastrophes
|
90.8 %
|
|
85.0 %
|
|
Investments
Net investment income was $76.9
million for the first quarter of 2022, in line with the
prior-year quarter of $76.8 million,
with both periods including a similar level of elevated partnership
income. Total pre-tax earned yield on the investment portfolio for
the quarter ended March 31, 2022, was
3.52%, down from 3.74% in the prior-year quarter. The average
pre-tax earned yield on fixed maturities was 2.95% and 3.11% for
the quarters ended March 31, 2022,
and 2021, respectively.
Net realized and unrealized investment losses recognized in
earnings were $15.9 million in the
first quarter of 2022, driven by the change in fair value of equity
securities. This compares to net realized and unrealized investment
gains recognized in earnings of $37.5
million in the first quarter of 2021.
The company held $9.0 billion in
cash and invested assets on March 31,
2022. Fixed maturities and cash represented approximately
85% of the investment portfolio. Approximately 95% of the company's
fixed maturity portfolio is rated investment grade. Net unrealized
losses on the fixed maturity portfolio as of March 31, 2022, were $262.6 million before taxes, a decrease in fair
value of $471.7 million since
December 31, 2021, primarily due to
higher interest rates. The majority of net unrealized losses on
fixed maturities were within the company's higher quality and
longer duration investments.
Shareholders' Equity and Capital Actions
On
March 31, 2022, book value per share
was $79.58, down 10.2% from
December 31, 2021, driven by a
decrease in the fair value of fixed maturity investments. Book
value per share, excluding net unrealized depreciation on fixed
maturity investments, net of tax, increased 2.0% from December 31, 2021.
During the quarter, the company repurchased approximately
119,000 shares of common stock in the open market for $16.3 million. Additionally, through May 2, the company repurchased approximately
22,000 shares of common stock in the open market for $3.3 million. The company has approximately
$341 million of remaining capacity
under its existing share repurchase program.
Earnings Conference Call
The company will host a conference call to discuss its first
quarter results on Wednesday, May 4,
at 10:00 a.m. E.T. A PowerPoint slide presentation
will accompany the prepared remarks and has been posted on The
Hanover's website.
Interested investors and others can listen to the call and access
the presentation through The Hanover's website, located at
www.hanover.com in the "Investors" section. Investors may
access the conference call by dialing 1-844-413-3975 in the U.S.
and 1-412-317-5458 internationally. Webcast participants should go
to the website 15 minutes early to register, download and install
any necessary audio software. A re-broadcast of the conference call
will be available on The Hanover's
website approximately two hours after the call.
About The Hanover
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. is the holding company for
several property and casualty insurance companies, which together
constitute one of the largest insurance businesses in the United States. The company provides
exceptional insurance solutions through a select group of
independent agents and brokers. Together with its agent partners,
the company offers standard and specialized insurance protection
for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as for homes,
automobiles, and other personal items. For more information, please
visit hanover.com.
Contact
Information
|
|
|
|
Investors:
|
Media:
|
|
|
Oksana
Lukasheva
|
Michael F.
Buckley
|
Emily P.
Trevallion
|
|
Email:
olukasheva@hanover.com
|
Email:
mibuckley@hanover.com
|
Email:
etrevallion@hanover.com
|
|
1-508-525-6081
|
|
1-508-855-3099
|
|
1-508-855-3263
|
|
|
Definition of Reported Segments
Continuing operations include four operating segments: Core
Commercial, Specialty, Personal Lines and Other. The Core
Commercial segment includes commercial multiple peril, commercial
automobile, workers' compensation and other commercial lines
coverages provided to small and mid-sized businesses. The Specialty
segment includes four divisions of business: Professional and
Executive Lines, Specialty P&C, Marine, and Surety and Other.
Specialty P&C includes coverages such as program business
(provides commercial insurance to markets with specialized coverage
or risk management needs related to groups of similar businesses),
specialty industrial and commercial property, and excess and
surplus lines. The Personal Lines segment markets automobile,
homeowners and ancillary coverages to individuals and
families. The "Other" segment includes Opus Investment
Management, Inc., which provides investment management services to
institutions, pension funds and other organizations, the operations
of the holding company, as well as a block of run-off voluntary
property and casualty pools business in which the company has not
actively participated since 1995.
Financial Supplement
The Hanover's first quarter news
release and financial supplement are available in the "Investors"
section of the company's website at hanover.com.
Condensed
Financial Statements and Reconciliations
|
|
The Hanover
Insurance Group, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Income Statements
|
|
Three months
ended
|
|
|
|
March 31
|
|
($ in
millions)
|
|
2022
|
|
2021
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums
earned
|
|
$1,263.8
|
|
$1,161.8
|
|
Net investment
income
|
|
76.9
|
|
76.8
|
|
Net realized and
unrealized investment gains (losses):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized
gains (losses) from sales and other
|
|
3.0
|
|
(1.6)
|
|
Net change in
fair value of equity securities
|
|
(18.0)
|
|
39.1
|
|
Impairment losses on investments
|
|
(0.9)
|
|
-
|
|
Total net realized and
unrealized investment gains (losses)
|
|
(15.9)
|
|
37.5
|
|
Fees and other
income
|
|
5.9
|
|
6.0
|
|
Total
revenues
|
|
1,330.7
|
|
1,282.1
|
|
Losses and
expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss
adjustment expenses
|
|
787.5
|
|
781.3
|
|
Amortization of
deferred acquisition costs
|
|
262.9
|
|
240.3
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
8.5
|
|
8.5
|
|
Other operating
expenses
|
|
141.8
|
|
137.9
|
|
Total losses and
expenses
|
|
1,200.7
|
|
1,168.0
|
|
Income from continuing
operations before income taxes
|
|
130.0
|
|
114.1
|
|
Income tax
expense
|
|
24.7
|
|
21.3
|
|
Income from continuing
operations
|
|
105.3
|
|
92.8
|
|
Discontinued
operations (net of taxes):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from discontinued
life businesses
|
|
(0.5)
|
|
(0.1)
|
|
Net income
|
|
$104.8
|
|
$92.7
|
|
The Hanover
Insurance Group, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31
|
|
December
31
|
|
($ in
millions)
|
|
2022
|
|
2021
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
investments
|
|
$8,775.3
|
|
$9,152.6
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
272.0
|
|
230.9
|
|
Premiums and accounts
receivable, net
|
|
1,483.1
|
|
1,469.5
|
|
Reinsurance
recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and unearned
premiums
|
|
1,940.3
|
|
1,907.3
|
|
Other
assets
|
|
1,271.9
|
|
1,386.9
|
|
Assets of discontinued
businesses
|
|
104.6
|
|
107.1
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$13,847.2
|
|
$14,254.3
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss and loss
adjustment expense reserves
|
|
$6,512.2
|
|
$6,447.6
|
|
Unearned
premiums
|
|
2,760.4
|
|
2,734.9
|
|
Debt
|
|
781.8
|
|
781.6
|
|
Other
liabilities
|
|
839.8
|
|
1,023.6
|
|
Liabilities of
discontinued businesses
|
|
120.2
|
|
121.7
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
11,014.4
|
|
11,109.4
|
|
Total shareholders'
equity
|
|
2,832.8
|
|
3,144.9
|
|
Total liabilities
and shareholders' equity
|
|
$13,847.2
|
|
$14,254.3
|
|
The following is a reconciliation from operating income to net
income(8):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Hanover
Insurance Group, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
March 31
|
|
|
|
2022
|
|
2021
|
|
($ in millions,
except per share data)
|
|
$
Amount
|
|
Per Share
(Diluted)
|
$
Amount
|
|
Per Share
(Diluted)
|
|
Operating income
(loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core
Commercial
|
|
$67.5
|
|
|
|
($14.8)
|
|
|
|
Specialty
|
|
50.0
|
|
|
|
17.0
|
|
|
|
Personal
Lines
|
|
36.3
|
|
|
|
81.8
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
154.4
|
|
|
|
85.1
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
(8.5)
|
|
|
|
(8.5)
|
|
|
|
Operating income
before income taxes
|
|
145.9
|
|
$4.04
|
|
76.6
|
|
$2.07
|
|
Income tax expense on
operating income
|
|
(28.2)
|
|
(0.78)
|
|
(15.2)
|
|
(0.41)
|
|
Operating income after
income taxes
|
|
117.7
|
|
3.26
|
|
61.4
|
|
1.66
|
|
Non-operating
items:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized gains
(losses) from sales and other
|
|
3.0
|
|
0.08
|
|
(1.6)
|
|
(0.04)
|
|
Net change in fair
value of equity securities
|
|
(18.0)
|
|
(0.50)
|
|
39.1
|
|
1.06
|
|
Impairment losses on
investments
|
|
(0.9)
|
|
(0.02)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
Income tax benefit
(expense) on non-operating items
|
|
3.5
|
|
0.09
|
|
(6.1)
|
|
(0.16)
|
|
Income from continuing
operations, net of taxes
|
|
105.3
|
|
2.91
|
|
92.8
|
|
2.52
|
|
Discontinued
operations (net of taxes):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from discontinued
life businesses
|
|
(0.5)
|
|
(0.01)
|
|
(0.1)
|
|
(0.01)
|
|
Net income
|
|
$104.8
|
|
$2.90
|
|
$92.7
|
|
$2.51
|
|
Dilutive weighted
average shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
36.1
|
|
|
|
36.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward-Looking Statements and Non-GAAP Financial
Measures
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this document and comments made by management
may be "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other
than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking
statements. Words such as, but not limited to, "believes,"
"anticipates," "expects," "may," "projects," "projections," "plan,"
"likely," "potential," "targeted," "forecasts," "should," "could,"
"continue," "outlook," "guidance," "modeling," "moving forward" and
other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements by their nature address
matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. The company
cautions investors that any such forward-looking statements are
estimates, beliefs, expectations and/or projections that involve
significant judgment, and that historical results, trends and
forward-looking statements are not guarantees and are not
necessarily indicative of future performance. Actual results could
differ materially from those anticipated.
These statements include, but are not limited to, the company's
statements regarding:
- The company's outlook and its ability to achieve components or
the sum of the respective period guidance on its future results of
operations including: the combined ratio, excluding or including
both prior-year reserve development and/or catastrophe losses;
catastrophe losses; net investment income; growth of net premiums
written and/or net premiums earned in total or by line of business;
expense ratio; operating return on equity; and/or the effective tax
rate;
- The continued impacts of the global pandemic ("Pandemic") and
related economic conditions on the company's operating and
financial results, including, but not limited to, the impact on the
company's investment portfolio, changes in claims frequency as a
result of fluctuations in economic activity, severity from higher
cost of repairs due to, among other things, supply chain
disruptions, inflation, declines in premium as a result of, among
other things, credits or returns to the company's customers, lower
submissions, changes in renewals and policy endorsements, public
health guidance, and the impact of government orders and
restrictions in the states and jurisdictions in which the company
operates;
- Uses of capital for share repurchases, special or ordinary cash
dividends, business investments or growth, or otherwise, and
outstanding shares in future periods as a result of various share
repurchase mechanisms, capital management framework, especially in
the current environment, and overall comfort with liquidity and
capital levels;
- Variability of catastrophe losses due to risk concentrations,
changes in weather patterns including climate change, wildfires,
severe storms, hurricanes, terrorism, civil unrest, riots or other
events, as well as the complexity in estimating losses from large
catastrophe events due to delayed reporting of the existence,
nature or extent of losses or where "demand surge," regulatory
assessments, litigation, coverage and technical complexities or
other factors may significantly impact the ultimate amount of such
losses;
- Current accident year losses and loss selections ("picks"),
excluding catastrophes, and prior accident year loss reserve
development patterns, particularly in complex "longer-tail"
liability lines, as well as the inherent variability in short-tail
property and non-catastrophe weather losses;
- Changes in frequency and loss severity trends;
- Ability to manage the impact of inflationary pressures, as a
result of the Pandemic, global market disruptions, geopolitical
events or otherwise, including, but not limited to, supply chain
disruptions, labor shortages, and increases in cost of goods,
services, and materials;
- The confidence or concern that the current level of reserves is
adequate and/or sufficient for future claim payments, whether due
to losses that have been incurred but not reported, circumstances
that delay the reporting of losses, business complexity, adverse
judgments or developments with respect to case reserves, the
difficulties and uncertainties inherent in projecting future losses
from historical data, changes in replacement and medical costs, as
well as complexities related to the Pandemic, including
legislative, regulatory or judicial actions that expand the
intended scope of coverages, or other factors;
- Characterization of some business as being "more profitable" in
light of inherent uncertainty of ultimate losses incurred,
especially for "longer-tail" liability businesses;
- Efforts to manage expenses, including the company's long-term
expense savings targets, while allocating capital to business
investment, which is at management's discretion;
- Risks and uncertainties with respect to our ability to retain
profitable policies in force and attract profitable policies and to
increase rates commensurate with, or in excess of, loss
trends;
- Mix improvement, underwriting initiatives, coverage
restrictions and pricing segmentation actions, among others, to
grow businesses believed to be more profitable or reduce premiums
attributable to products or lines of business believed to be less
profitable; balance rate actions and retention; offset long-term
and/or short-term loss trends due to increased frequency; increased
"social inflation" from a more litigious environment and higher
average cost of resolution, increased property replacement costs,
and/or social movements;
- The ability to generate growth in targeted segments through new
agency appointments; rate increases (as a result of its market
position, agency relationships or otherwise), retention
improvements or new business; expansion into new geographies; new
product introductions; or otherwise; and
- Investment returns and the effect of macro-economic interest
rate trends and overall security yields, including the
macro-economic impact of the Pandemic, inflationary pressures and
corresponding governmental and/or central banking initiatives taken
in response thereto, and geopolitical circumstances on new money
yields and overall investment returns.
Additional Risks and Uncertainties
Investors are
further cautioned and should consider the risks and uncertainties
in the company's business that may affect such estimates and future
performance that are discussed in the company's most recently filed
reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and other documents filed by The
Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") and that are also available at www.hanover.com
under "Investors." These risks and uncertainties include, but are
not limited to:
- The severity, duration and long-term impact related to the
Pandemic, including, but not limited to, actual and possible
government responses, legislative, regulatory and judicial actions,
changes in frequency and severity of claims in Core Commercial,
Specialty and/or Personal Lines, impacts to distributors (including
agent partners), and the possibility of additional premium
adjustments, including credits and returns, for the benefit of
insureds;
- Changes in regulatory, legislative, economic, market and
political conditions, particularly in response to COVID-19 and the
Pandemic (such as legislative or regulatory actions that would
retroactively require insurers to cover business interruption or
other types of claims irrespective of terms, exclusions or other
conditions included in the contractual terms of the policies that
would otherwise preclude coverage, mandatory returns and other
rate-related actions, as well as presumption legislation in regards
to workers' compensation);
- Heightened volatility, fluctuations in interest rates (which
have a significant impact on the market value of our investment
portfolio and thus our book value), inflationary pressures, default
rates and other factors that affect investment returns from the
investment portfolio;
- Data security incidents, including, but not limited to, those
resulting from a malicious cyber security attack on the company or
its business partners and service providers, or intrusions into the
company's systems or data sources;
- Adverse claims experience, including those driven by large or
increased frequency of catastrophe events (including those related
to terrorism, riots and civil unrest), and severe weather;
- The uncertainty in estimating weather-related losses or the
long-term impacts of the Pandemic, and the limitations and
assumptions used to model other property and casualty losses
(particularly with respect to products with longer-tail liability
lines, such as casualty and bodily injury claims, or involving
emerging issues related to losses incurred as the result of new
lines of business, such as cyber or financial institutions
coverage, or reinsurance contracts and reinsurance recoverables),
leading to potential adverse development of loss and loss
adjustment expense reserves;
- Litigation and the possibility of adverse judicial decisions,
including those which expand policy coverage beyond its intended
scope and/or award "bad faith" or other non-contractual damages,
and the impact of "social inflation" affecting judicial awards and
settlements;
- The ability to increase or maintain insurance rates in line
with anticipated loss costs and/or governmental action, including
mandates by state departments of insurance to either raise or lower
rates or provide credits or return premium to insureds;
- Investment impairments, which may be affected by, among other
things, the company's ability and willingness to hold investment
assets until they recover in value, as well as credit and interest
rate risk, and general financial and economic conditions;
- Disruption of the independent agency channel, including the
impact of competition and consolidation in the industry and among
agents and brokers;
- Competition, particularly from competitors who have resource
and capability advantages;
- The global macroeconomic environment, including actions taken
in response to the Pandemic, inflation, global trade disputes, war,
energy market disruptions, equity price risk, and interest rate
fluctuations, which, among other things, could result in reductions
in market values of fixed maturities and other investments;
- Adverse state and federal regulation, legislative and/or
regulatory actions (including recent significant revisions to
Michigan's automobile personal
injury protection system and related litigation, and various
regulations, orders and proposed legislation related to business
interruption and workers' compensation coverages, premium grace
periods and returns, and rate actions);
- Financial ratings actions, in particular, downgrades to the
company's ratings;
- Operational and technology risks and evolving technological and
product innovation, including risks created by remote work
environments, and the risk of cyber-security attacks on or breaches
of the company's systems and/or impacting our outsourcing
relationships and third-party operations, or resulting in claim
payments (including from products not intended to provide cyber
coverage);
- Uncertainties in estimating indemnification liabilities
recorded in conjunction with obligations undertaken in connection
with the sale of various businesses and discontinued operations;
and
- The ability to collect from reinsurers, reinsurance pricing,
reinsurance terms and conditions, and the performance of the
run-off voluntary property and casualty pools business (including
those in the Other segment or in discontinued operations).
Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, and
should understand the risks and uncertainties inherent in or
particular to the company's business. The company does not
undertake the responsibility to update or revise such
forward-looking statements.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
As discussed on page 37 of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2021,
the company uses non-GAAP financial measures as important measures
of its operating performance, including operating income, operating
income before interest expense and income taxes, operating income
per share, and components of the combined ratio, both excluding
and/or including, catastrophe losses, prior-year reserve
development and the expense ratio. Management believes these
non-GAAP financial measures are important indications of the
company's operating performance. The definition of other non-GAAP
financial measures and terms can be found in the 2021 Annual Report
on pages 63-66.
Operating income and operating income per share are non-GAAP
measures. They are defined as net income excluding the after-tax
impact of net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses),
gains and/or losses on the repayment of debt, other non-operating
items, and results from discontinued operations. Net realized and
unrealized investment gains (losses), which include changes in the
fair value of equity securities still held, are excluded for
purposes of presenting operating income, as they are, to a certain
extent, determined by interest rates, financial markets and the
timing of sales. Operating income also excludes net gains and
losses from disposals of businesses, gains and losses related to
the repayment of debt, costs to acquire businesses, restructuring
costs, the cumulative effect of accounting changes, and certain
other items. Operating income is the sum of the segment income
from: Core Commercial, Specialty, Personal Lines, and Other, after
interest expense and income taxes. In reference to one of the
company's four segments, "operating income" is the segment income
before both interest expense and income taxes. The company also
uses "operating income per share" (which is after both interest
expense and income taxes). It is calculated by dividing operating
income by the weighted average number of diluted shares of common
stock. The company believes that metrics of operating income and
operating income in relation to its four segments provide investors
with a valuable measure of the performance of the company's
continuing businesses because they highlight the portion of net
income attributable to the core operations of the business. Income
from continuing operations is the most directly comparable GAAP
measure for operating income (and operating income before income
taxes) and measures of operating income that exclude the effects of
catastrophe losses and/or reserve development should not be
misconstrued as substitutes for income from continuing operations
or net income determined in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation
of operating income (loss) to income from continuing operations and
net income for the relevant periods is included on page 10 of this
news release and in the Financial Supplement.
Operating return on equity ("ROE") is a non-GAAP measure. See
end note (6) for a detailed explanation of how this measure is
calculated. Operating ROE is based on non-GAAP operating income. In
addition, the portion of shareholder equity attributed to
unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on fixed maturity
investments, net of tax, is excluded. The company believes this
measure is helpful in that it provides insight to the capital used
by, and results of, the continuing business exclusive of interest
expense, income taxes, and other non-operating items. These
measures should not be misconstrued as substitutes for GAAP ROE,
which is based on net income and shareholders' equity of the entire
company and without adjustments.
The company may also provide measures of operating income and
combined ratios that exclude the impact of catastrophe losses
(which in all respects include prior accident year catastrophe loss
development). A catastrophe is a severe loss, resulting from
natural or manmade events, including, but is not limited to,
hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms, earthquakes, hail, severe winter
weather, freeze events, fire, explosions, civil unrest and
terrorism. Due to the unique characteristics of each catastrophe
loss, there is an inherent inability to reasonably estimate the
timing or loss amount in advance. The company believes a separate
discussion excluding the effects of catastrophe losses is
meaningful to understand the underlying trends and variability of
earnings, loss and combined ratio results, among others.
Prior accident year reserve development, which can either be
favorable or unfavorable, represents changes in the company's
estimate of costs related to claims from prior years. Calendar year
loss and loss adjustment expense ("LAE") ratios determined in
accordance with GAAP, excluding prior accident year reserve
development, are sometimes referred to as "current accident year
loss ratios." The company believes a discussion of loss and
combined ratios, excluding prior accident year reserve development,
is helpful since it provides insight into both estimates of current
accident year results and the accuracy of prior-year estimates.
The loss and combined ratios in accordance with GAAP are the
most directly comparable GAAP measures for the loss and combined
ratios calculated excluding the effects of catastrophe losses
and/or reserve development. The presentation of loss and combined
ratios calculated excluding the effects of catastrophe losses
and/or reserve development should not be misconstrued as
substitutes for the loss and/or combined ratios determined in
accordance with GAAP.
Endnotes
|
(1)
|
Operating income and
operating income per diluted share are non-GAAP measures. Operating
income (loss) before income taxes, as referenced in the results of
the business segments, is defined as, with respect to such segment,
operating income (loss) before interest expense and income taxes.
These measures are used throughout this document. See the
disclosure on the use of this and other non-GAAP measures under the
heading "Forward-Looking Statements and Non-GAAP Financial
Measures." The reconciliation of operating income and operating
income per diluted share to the closest GAAP measures, income from
continuing operations and income from continuing operations per
diluted share, respectively, is provided on the preceding pages of
this news release.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Combined ratio,
excluding catastrophes, and current accident year combined ratio,
excluding catastrophes, are non-GAAP measures. The combined ratio
(which includes catastrophe losses and prior-year loss reserve
development) is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. A
reconciliation of the GAAP combined ratio to the combined ratio,
excluding catastrophes, and to the current accident year combined
ratio, excluding catastrophes, is shown below.
|
|
|
|
Three months
ended
|
|
|
|
|
March 31,
2022
|
|
|
|
|
Core
Commercial
|
|
Specialty
|
|
Personal
Lines
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Total combined ratio
(GAAP)
|
|
93.0 %
|
|
87.7 %
|
|
97.1 %
|
|
93.4 %
|
|
|
Less: Catastrophe
ratio
|
|
4.1 %
|
|
2.7 %
|
|
3.6 %
|
|
3.6 %
|
|
|
Combined ratio,
excluding catastrophe losses (non-GAAP)
|
|
88.9 %
|
|
85.0 %
|
|
93.5 %
|
|
89.8 %
|
|
|
Less: Prior-year
reserve development ratio
|
|
(1.3)%
|
|
(4.7)%
|
|
2.7 %
|
|
(0.5)%
|
|
|
Current accident year
combined ratio, excluding catastrophe losses (non-GAAP)
|
|
90.2 %
|
|
89.7 %
|
|
90.8 %
|
|
90.3 %
|
|
|
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
|
|
Total combined ratio
(GAAP)
|
|
111.7 %
|
|
98.8 %
|
|
87.0 %
|
|
98.8 %
|
|
|
Less: Catastrophe
ratio
|
|
21.7 %
|
|
9.5 %
|
|
3.1 %
|
|
11.5 %
|
|
|
Combined ratio,
excluding catastrophe losses (non-GAAP)
|
|
90.0 %
|
|
89.3 %
|
|
83.9 %
|
|
87.3 %
|
|
|
Less: Prior-year
reserve development ratio
|
|
(0.6)%
|
|
(0.2)%
|
|
(1.1)%
|
|
(0.7)%
|
|
|
Current accident year
combined ratio, excluding catastrophe losses (non-GAAP)
|
|
90.6 %
|
|
89.5 %
|
|
85.0 %
|
|
88.0 %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
Renewal price changes
in Core Commercial and Specialty represent the average change in
premium on renewed policies caused by the estimated net effect of
base rate changes, discretionary pricing, inflation or changes in
policy level exposure or insured risks. Rate increases in Core
Commercial and Specialty represent the average change in premium on
renewed policies caused by the base rate changes, discretionary
pricing, and inflation, excluding the impact of changes in policy
level exposure or insured risks. Renewal price change in Personal
Lines represents the average change in premium on policies
available to renew caused by the net effects of filed rate,
inflation adjustments or other changes in policy level exposure or
insured risks, regardless of whether or not the policies are
retained for the duration of their contractual terms. Rate change
in Personal Lines is the estimated cumulative premium effect of
approved rate actions applied to policies available for renewal,
regardless of whether or not policies are actually renewed.
Accordingly, rate changes do not represent actual increases or
decreases realized by the company. Personal Lines rate changes do
not include inflation or changes in policy level exposure or
insured risks.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Current accident year
loss and LAE ratio, excluding catastrophe losses, is a non-GAAP
measure, which is equal to the loss and LAE ratio ("loss ratio"),
excluding prior-year reserve development and catastrophe losses.
The loss ratio (which includes losses, LAE, catastrophe losses and
prior-year loss reserve development) is the most directly
comparable GAAP measure. A reconciliation of the GAAP loss ratio to
the current accident year loss ratio, excluding catastrophe losses,
is shown below.
|
|
|
|
Three months
ended
|
|
|
|
|
March 31,
2022
|
|
|
|
|
Core
Commercial
|
|
Specialty
|
|
Personal
Lines
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Total loss and LAE
ratio
|
|
60.2 %
|
|
52.3 %
|
|
69.9 %
|
|
62.3 %
|
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior-year reserve
development ratio
|
|
(1.3)%
|
|
(4.7)%
|
|
2.7 %
|
|
(0.5)%
|
|
|
Catastrophe
ratio
|
|
4.1 %
|
|
2.7 %
|
|
3.6 %
|
|
3.6 %
|
|
|
Current accident year
loss and LAE ratio, excluding catastrophes
|
|
57.4 %
|
|
54.3 %
|
|
63.6 %
|
|
59.2 %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
|
|
Total loss and LAE
ratio
|
|
78.7 %
|
|
62.9 %
|
|
59.0 %
|
|
67.2 %
|
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior-year reserve
development ratio
|
|
(0.6)%
|
|
(0.2)%
|
|
(1.1)%
|
|
(0.7)%
|
|
|
Catastrophe
ratio
|
|
21.7 %
|
|
9.5 %
|
|
3.1 %
|
|
11.5 %
|
|
|
Current accident year
loss and LAE ratio, excluding catastrophes
|
|
57.6 %
|
|
53.6 %
|
|
57.0 %
|
|
56.4 %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
Book value per share,
excluding net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on fixed
maturity investments, net of tax, is a non-GAAP measure. Book value
per share is the most directly comparable GAAP measure and is
reconciled in the table below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period
ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
December
|
|
March
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021
|
|
2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Book value per
share
|
|
$88.59
|
|
$79.58
|
|
|
Less: Net unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) on fixed maturity investments, net of tax
|
|
5.21
|
|
(5.48)
|
|
|
Book value per share,
excluding net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on fixed
maturity investments, net of tax
|
|
$83.38
|
|
$85.06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in book value
per share
|
|
|
|
(10.2)%
|
|
|
Change in book value
per share, excluding net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on
fixed maturity investments, net of tax
|
|
|
|
2.0 %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6)
|
Operating return on
average equity ("operating ROE") is a non-GAAP measure. Operating
ROE is calculated by dividing annualized operating income after tax
for the applicable period (see under the heading in this news
release "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and end note (1)), by average
shareholders' equity, excluding unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on fixed maturity investments, net of tax, for the
period presented. Total shareholders' equity, excluding net
unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on fixed maturity
investments, net of tax, is also a non-GAAP measure. Total
shareholders' equity is the most directly comparable GAAP measure,
and is reconciled below. For the calculation of operating ROE, the
average of beginning and ending shareholders' equity, excluding net
unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on fixed maturity
investments, net of tax, is used for the period as shown and
reconciled on the following page.
|
|
|
Period
Ended
|
|
|
|
($ in
millions)
|
March 31
|
|
|
June 30
|
|
|
September
30
|
|
|
December
31
|
|
|
March 31
|
|
|
|
|
2021
|
|
|
2021
|
|
|
2021
|
|
|
2021
|
|
|
2022
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders'
equity (GAAP)
|
$
|
3,046.8
|
|
|
$
|
3,154.0
|
|
|
$
|
3,102.3
|
|
|
$
|
3,144.9
|
|
|
$
|
2,832.8
|
|
|
|
Less: net unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) on fixed maturity investments, net of
tax
|
|
242.6
|
|
|
|
304.7
|
|
|
|
256.8
|
|
|
|
184.9
|
|
|
|
(195.0)
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders'
equity, excluding net unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) on
fixed maturity investments, net of tax
|
$
|
2,804.2
|
|
|
$
|
2,849.3
|
|
|
$
|
2,845.5
|
|
|
$
|
2,960.0
|
|
|
$
|
3,027.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average shareholders'
equity (GAAP)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,988.9
|
|
|
|
Average shareholders'
equity, excluding net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on
fixed maturity investments, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,993.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ in
millions)
|
|
Three months
ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31
|
|
|
|
Net Income
ROE
|
|
2022
|
|
|
|
Net income
(GAAP)
|
|
$
|
104.8
|
|
|
|
Annualized net
income*
|
|
|
419.2
|
|
|
|
Average shareholders'
equity (GAAP)
|
|
$
|
2,988.9
|
|
|
|
Return on
equity
|
|
|
14.0
|
%
|
|
|
Operating Income
ROE (non-GAAP)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
after taxes
|
|
$
|
117.7
|
|
|
|
Annualized operating
income, net of tax*
|
|
|
470.8
|
|
|
|
Average shareholders'
equity, excluding net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on
fixed maturity investments, net of tax
|
|
$
|
2,993.9
|
|
|
|
Operating return on
equity
|
|
|
15.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Annualized net
income and operating income after income taxes are calculated by
taking three months ended March 31, 2022, net income and operating
income after income taxes, respectively, and multiplying by four.
|
|
|
(7)
|
Here, and later in
this document, the expense ratio is reduced by installment and
other fee revenues for purposes of the ratio
calculation.
|
|
|
(8)
|
The separate
financial information of each operating segment is presented
consistent with the way results are regularly evaluated by the
chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate
resources and in assessing performance. Management evaluates the
results of the aforementioned operating segments without
consideration of interest expense on debt and on a pre-tax
basis.
|
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SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.