Trisura Group Reports Fourth Quarter and 2019 Annual Results
February 12 2020 - 9:21PM
Trisura Group Ltd. (“Trisura” or “Trisura Group”) (TSX: TSU), a
leading international specialty insurance provider, today announced
financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December
31, 2019.
David Clare, President and CEO of Trisura,
stated, “We are pleased with Trisura’s fourth quarter results,
generating net income of $4.2 million driven by strong performance
from our specialty platforms in North America.
“In Canada, substantial top-line growth,
disciplined underwriting and enhanced investment returns sustained
our industry leading return on equity. Our U.S. platform continued
to build momentum, binding almost $100 million of quarterly gross
premiums, and generating net income of $1.5 million to add to its
first year of profitability.
“Importantly, improved asset-liability matching
in our international reinsurance operations limited volatility in
Q4.”
Highlights
- Gross and net premiums growth of 109.8% and 27.5% in Q4, and
104.7% and 23.5% for the full year supported by strong momentum in
our U.S. business and continued growth in Canada.
- Net income of $4.2 million in the quarter, and $5.1 million in
2019, driven by strong underwriting performance and investment
income in Canada and a growing contribution from the
U.S.
- EPS of $0.47 in Q4 2019 and $0.69 in 2019, compared to $0.24 in
Q4 2018 and 1.29 in 2018.
- Book value per share of $21.58, a 9.9% increase over December
31, 2018.
- Industry-leading results from our Canadian business, achieving
a combined ratio of 82.9% in Q4 2019 and 87.8% in 2019, producing a
19.1% ROE for the year.
- Continued acceleration in our U.S. business, producing $95.4
million in GPW in the quarter and $1.5 million in net income. For
the year, GPW of $263.9 million drove fee income of $8.0 million
and net income of $3.8 million representing our first year of
profitability. This is an outstanding result considering the
business commenced last year.
- In February 2020, A.M. Best assigned a Financial Strength
Rating of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of
“a-” to Trisura Insurance Company (“TIC”). The ratings of TIC also
reflect an intercompany pooling agreement with its immediate
parent, Trisura Specialty. TIC will commence writing admitted
business in 2020 complementing Trisura Specialty’s non admitted
business platform.
Amounts in C$ millions |
Q4 2019 |
Q4 2018 |
Variance |
2019 |
2018 |
Variance |
Gross premiums written |
143.2 |
68.3 |
109.8% |
448.3 |
219.0 |
104.6% |
Net premiums written |
39.7 |
31.1 |
27.5% |
142.6 |
115.5 |
23.5% |
Net underwriting income (loss) |
10.5 |
1.0 |
966.0% |
(13.3) |
4.3 |
(411.1%) |
Net investment (loss) income |
(3.9) |
2.2 |
(279.9%) |
16.2 |
9.0 |
80.8% |
Net income |
4.2 |
1.6 |
155.8% |
5.1 |
8.6 |
(41.0%) |
EPS – basic, $ |
0.47 |
0.24 |
95.8% |
0.69 |
1.29 |
(46.5%) |
Book value per share, $ |
21.58 |
19.63 |
9.9% |
21.58 |
19.63 |
9.9% |
Debt-to-Capital ratio |
13.5% |
18.6% |
(5.1pts) |
13.5% |
18.6% |
(5.1pts) |
LTM ROE |
3.5% |
6.9% |
(3.4pts) |
3.5% |
6.9% |
(3.4pts) |
Combined ratio – Canada |
82.9% |
83.9% |
(1.0pts) |
87.8% |
86.3% |
1.5pts |
LTM ROE – Canada |
19.1% |
19.1% |
0.0pts |
19.1% |
19.1% |
0.0pts |
Underwriting
- Disciplined underwriting from our Canadian operations,
achieving NPE growth of 19.2% and a combined ratio of 82.9% in the
quarter, 14.4% and 87.8% respectively for the full year 2019,
supported by strong underwriting across all lines.
- Accelerating growth in our U.S. platform, with GPW of $95.4
million in Q4 2019 compared to $71.2 million in Q3 2019. Annual GPW
of $263.9 million increased from $53.7 million in 2018. Earned fee
income in Q4 2019 of $3.1 million helped support annual earned fee
income of $8.0 million, compared to $2.4 million in Q3 2019 and
$0.9 million in 2018.
- Weakening interest rates in Europe drove reserve strengthening
in our reinsurance subsidiary in the first nine months of 2019;
however, the impact to net income in Q4 2019 was muted following an
improvement in the asset-liability matching.
Capital
- The minimum capital test (“MCT”) ratio of our Canadian
subsidiary was 258% (239% as at December 31, 2018), which
comfortably exceeds regulatory requirements of 150%.
- Trisura Specialty’s capital of $83.3 million USD as at December
31, 2019 ($48.8 million USD as at December 31, 2018) was in excess
of the minimum requirement of the Oklahoma Insurance Department.
- Trisura International’s capital of $14.2 million USD as at
December 31, 2019 ($21.1 million USD as at December 31, 2018) was
sufficient to meet the FSC’s regulatory capital
requirement.
- Consolidated debt-to-capital ratio of 13.5% as at December 31,
2019 is below our long-term target of 20%.
- A.M. Best reaffirmed the Financial Strength Rating A-
(Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of
Trisura Guarantee and Trisura Specialty. The outlook of these
Credit Ratings remains stable.
Investments
- In 2019, net investment income of $16.2 million compared to
$9.0 million in 2018, driven by an increase in duration of
reinsurance assets, which generated strong results in a declining
interest rate environment through the first nine months of
2019.
- In Canada, interest and dividend income increased 8.9% in Q4
2019 and 42.8% for the full year, over the prior period, as we
continued to benefit from an improved asset mix in the Canadian
portfolio.
- In the U.S., interest and dividend income increased 43.0% in Q4
2019 and 28.2% for the full year, over the prior period, as we
benefited both from diversification of the portfolio and increased
capital following our equity raise in September.
- We continued to deploy capital into long-dated European
government bonds, which has further improved our asset liability
matching, as well as increasing our expected interest income.
European rates rose in Q4 2019, which resulted in net investment
loss of ($6.6) million in Trisura International, importantly offset
by reserve reductions.
Corporate Development
- Following the close of the acquisition of TIC (formerly known
as 21st Century Preferred Insurance Company) on November 1, 2019,
Trisura continues to grow its capabilities with the intention of
securing admitted licenses in all 50 states.
About Trisura Group
Trisura Group Ltd. is an international specialty
insurance provider operating in the surety, risk solutions,
corporate insurance and reinsurance segments of the market. Trisura
has three principal regulated subsidiaries: Trisura Guarantee
Insurance Company in Canada, Trisura Specialty Insurance Company in
the U.S. and Trisura International Insurance Ltd. in Barbados.
Trisura Group is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the
symbol “TSU”.
Further information is available at
http://www.trisura.com/group. Important information may be
disseminated exclusively via the website; investors should consult
the site to access this information. Details regarding the
operations of Trisura Group are also set forth in regulatory
filings. A copy of the filings may be obtained on Trisura Group’s
SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
For more information, please contact: Name:
Bryan SinclairTel: 416 607 2135 Email:
bryan.sinclair@trisura.com
Trisura Group Ltd. Consolidated
Statements of Financial PositionAs at December 31,
2019 and December 31, 2018(in thousands of
Canadian dollars, except as otherwise noted)
As at |
December 31, 2019 |
December 31, 2018 |
Cash and cash equivalents, and short-term securities |
85,905 |
95,212 |
Investments |
392,617 |
282,874 |
Premiums and accounts receivable, and other assets |
86,669 |
46,276 |
Deferred acquisition costs |
104,197 |
63,715 |
Recoverable from reinsurers |
293,068 |
109,567 |
Capital assets and intangible assets |
14,477 |
2,512 |
Deferred tax assets |
1,460 |
826 |
Total assets |
978,393 |
600,982 |
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities |
40,916 |
24,167 |
Reinsurance premiums payable |
80,186 |
41,406 |
Unearned premiums |
328,091 |
182,623 |
Unearned reinsurance commissions |
51,291 |
19,137 |
Unpaid claims and loss adjustment expenses |
257,880 |
173,997 |
Loan payable |
29,700 |
29,700 |
Total liabilities |
788,064 |
471,030 |
Shareholders' equity |
190,329 |
129,952 |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
978,393 |
600,982 |
Trisura Group
Ltd.Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive
IncomeFor the three and twelve months ended
December 31(in thousands of Canadian dollars,
except as otherwise noted)
|
Q4 2019 |
Q4 2018 |
2019 |
|
2018 |
|
Gross premiums written |
143,212 |
|
68,274 |
|
448,262 |
|
219,041 |
|
Net premiums written |
39,656 |
|
31,114 |
|
142,628 |
|
115,475 |
|
Net premiums earned |
29,710 |
|
22,983 |
|
107,504 |
|
88,809 |
|
Fee income |
3,575 |
|
675 |
|
12,206 |
|
4,724 |
|
Total underwriting revenue |
33,285 |
|
23,658 |
|
119,710 |
|
93,533 |
|
Net claims |
(687 |
) |
(5,920 |
) |
(49,936 |
) |
(19,402 |
) |
Net commissions |
(9,677 |
) |
(6,545 |
) |
(37,516 |
) |
(29,903 |
) |
Premium taxes |
(1,405 |
) |
(1,278 |
) |
(5,294 |
) |
(4,758 |
) |
Operating expenses |
(11,059 |
) |
(8,934 |
) |
(40,296 |
) |
(35,184 |
) |
Net claims and expenses |
(22,828 |
) |
(22,677 |
) |
(133,042 |
) |
(89,247 |
) |
Net underwriting income (loss) |
10,457 |
|
981 |
|
(13,332 |
) |
4,286 |
|
Net investment (loss) income |
(3,868 |
) |
2,150 |
|
16,243 |
|
8,986 |
|
Settlement from structured insurance assets |
- |
|
- |
|
8,077 |
|
- |
|
Net (losses) gains |
(92 |
) |
120 |
|
1,572 |
|
759 |
|
Interest expense |
(341 |
) |
(261 |
) |
(1,361 |
) |
(970 |
) |
Income before income taxes |
6,156 |
|
2,990 |
|
11,199 |
|
13,061 |
|
Income tax expense |
(1,984 |
) |
(1,359 |
) |
(6,105 |
) |
(4,423 |
) |
Net income |
4,172 |
|
1,631 |
|
5,094 |
|
8,638 |
|
Other comprehensive (loss) income |
(1,188 |
) |
152 |
|
808 |
|
(316 |
) |
Comprehensive income |
2,984 |
|
1,783 |
|
5,902 |
|
8,322 |
|
Trisura Group
Ltd.Consolidated Statements of Cash
FlowsFor the three and twelve months ended
December 31(in thousands of Canadian dollars,
except as otherwise noted)
|
Q4 2019 |
Q4 2018 |
2019 |
|
2018 |
|
Net income from operating activities |
4,172 |
|
1,631 |
|
5,094 |
|
8,638 |
|
Non-cash items to be
deducted |
11,406 |
|
456 |
|
9,898 |
|
3,374 |
|
Stock options
granted |
138 |
|
53 |
|
502 |
|
224 |
|
Change in working
capital operating items |
9,744 |
|
6,081 |
|
49,726 |
|
13,091 |
|
Realized (gains) losses
on AFS investments |
(60 |
) |
96 |
|
(2,860 |
) |
(686 |
) |
Income taxes paid |
(114 |
) |
(987 |
) |
(2,573 |
) |
(3,354 |
) |
Interest paid |
(354 |
) |
(270 |
) |
(1,410 |
) |
(995 |
) |
Net cash from
operating activities |
24,932 |
|
7,060 |
|
58,377 |
|
20,292 |
|
Proceeds on disposal of investments |
13,805 |
|
18,004 |
|
55,452 |
|
99,729 |
|
Purchases of
investments |
(79,741 |
) |
(35,632 |
) |
(170,817 |
) |
(196,363 |
) |
Net purchases of capital and intangible assets |
(2,723 |
) |
(82 |
) |
(3,131 |
) |
(666 |
) |
Net cash used in investing activities |
(68,659 |
) |
(17,710 |
) |
(118,496 |
) |
(97,300 |
) |
Dividends paid |
(24 |
) |
(24 |
) |
(96 |
) |
(96 |
) |
Shares issued |
- |
|
- |
|
55,669 |
|
- |
|
Preferred shares
redeemed |
(1,600 |
) |
- |
|
(1,600 |
) |
- |
|
Issuance of new loan
payable |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
29,700 |
|
Repayment of note
payable |
- |
|
(30 |
) |
- |
|
(30 |
) |
Repayment of loan
payable |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(29,700 |
) |
Lease payments |
(266 |
) |
- |
|
(1,026 |
) |
- |
|
Net cash (used in) from financing activities |
(1,890 |
) |
(54 |
) |
52,947 |
|
(126 |
) |
Net decrease in
cash |
(45,617 |
) |
(10,704 |
) |
(7,172 |
) |
(77,134 |
) |
Cash at beginning of the
period |
131,913 |
|
102,688 |
|
95,212 |
|
165,675 |
|
Currency translation |
(391 |
) |
3,228 |
|
(2,135 |
) |
6,671 |
|
Cash at the end of the period |
85,905 |
|
95,212 |
|
85,905 |
|
95,212 |
|
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements and Information
Note: This news release contains
“forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian
provincial securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of applicable Canadian securities regulations.
Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive
in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions,
include statements regarding the operations, business, financial
condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects,
opportunities, priorities, targets, goals, ongoing objectives,
strategies and outlook of the Company and its subsidiaries, as well
as the outlook for North American and international economies for
the current fiscal year and subsequent periods, and include words
such as “expects,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,”
“estimates,” “seeks,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “forecasts”
or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions, or
future or conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,”
“would” and “could”.
Although we believe that our anticipated future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements and information are based upon
reasonable assumptions and expectations, the reader should not
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information
because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors, many of which are beyond our control, which may
cause the actual results, performance or achievements of our
Company to differ materially from anticipated future results,
performance or achievement expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements and information.
Factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those contemplated or implied by
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the
impact or unanticipated impact of general economic, political and
market factors in the countries in which we do business; the
behaviour of financial markets, including fluctuations in interest
and foreign exchange rates; global equity and capital markets and
the availability of equity and debt financing and refinancing
within these markets; strategic actions including dispositions; the
ability to complete and effectively integrate acquisitions into
existing operations and the ability to attain expected benefits;
changes in accounting policies and methods used to report financial
condition (including uncertainties associated with critical
accounting assumptions and estimates); the ability to appropriately
manage human capital; the effect of applying future accounting
changes; business competition; operational and reputational risks;
technological change; changes in government regulation and
legislation within the countries in which we operate; governmental
investigations; litigation; changes in tax laws; changes in capital
requirements; changes in reinsurance arrangements; ability to
collect amounts owed; catastrophic events, such as earthquakes and
hurricanes; the possible impact of international conflicts and
other developments including terrorist acts and cyberterrorism; and
other risks and factors detailed from time to time in our documents
filed with securities regulators in Canada.
We caution that the foregoing list of important
factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive.
When relying on our forward-looking statements, investors and
others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other
uncertainties and potential events. Except as required by
law, Trisura Group Ltd. undertakes no obligation to publicly update
or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether
written or oral, that may be as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
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