RE Everest Re Group Ltd

Everest Re Group, Ltd. (NYSE:RE) today reported second quarter 2017 net income of $245.7 million, or $5.95 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $155.7 million, or $3.67 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2016. After-tax operating income1, excluding realized capital gains and losses, was $227.5 million, or $5.51 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2017, compared to after-tax operating income1 of $134.2 million, or $3.17 per diluted common share, for the same period last year.

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, net income was $537.3 million, or $13.02 per diluted common share, compared to $327.4 million, or $7.68 per diluted common share, for the first six months of 2016. After-tax operating income1, excluding realized capital gains and losses, was $487.0 million, or $11.80 per diluted common share, compared to $356.9 million or $8.37 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2016.

Commenting on the Company’s results, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dominic J. Addesso said, “Everest continues to generate double digit ROE’s, while steadily growing its capital base. Strong underwriting results, with an attritional combined ratio of 86.7% for the quarter, coupled with stable investment income are providing for solid growth in book value per share. We seek out opportunities for profitable growth in both our reinsurance and insurance books and have been successful as borne out by these excellent results.”

Operating highlights for the second quarter of 2017 included the following:

• Gross written premiums for the quarter were $1.6 billion, an increase of 17% compared to the second quarter of 2016. Worldwide, reinsurance premiums were up 14%, with growth coming from the new crop reinsurance program, increased shares on property pro-rata treaties, and growth in financial lines business. Insurance premiums were up 25%, quarter over quarter, with continued growth on new initiatives. Excluding the HCI crop business that was sold in 2016, the insurance segment premium was up 41%, quarter over quarter.
• The combined ratio for the quarter was 90.5% compared to 95.1% in the second quarter of 2016. Excluding catastrophe losses, reinstatement premiums, and nominal prior period loss development, the current quarter attritional combined ratio was 86.7% compared to 86.1% in the same period last year.
• Catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, amounted to $53.5 million in the quarter, with current quarter catastrophe losses from the South African (Knysna) fires, Colorado hailstorms, and Peru flooding. The net impact of these losses, after reinstatement premiums and taxes was $46.6 million.
• Net investment income was up 1% for the quarter to $134.5 million.
• Net after-tax realized capital gains amounted to $18.2 million and net after-tax unrealized losses were $4.1 million for the quarter.
• Cash flow from operations was $252.6 million compared to $308.1 million for the same period in 2016.
• Through the first six months, the annualized after-tax operating income1 return on average adjusted shareholders’ equity2 was 11.9%.
• Shareholders’ equity ended the quarter at $8.6 billion, up 6% compared to year end 2016. Book value per share increased 6% from $197.45 at December 31, 2016 to $209.05 at June 30, 2017.

This 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 latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. 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.

Everest Re Group, Ltd. is a Bermuda holding company that operates through the following subsidiaries: Everest Reinsurance Company provides reinsurance to property and casualty insurers in both the U.S. and international markets. Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd., including through its branch in the United Kingdom, provides reinsurance and insurance to worldwide property and casualty markets and reinsurance to life insurers. Everest Reinsurance Company (Ireland), dac, provides reinsurance to non-life insurers in Europe. Everest Insurance® refers to the primary insurance operations of Everest Re Group, Ltd., and its affiliated companies which offer property, casualty and specialty lines insurance on both an admitted and non-admitted basis in the U.S. and internationally. The Company also operates within the Lloyd's insurance market through Syndicate 2786. In addition, through Mt. Logan Re, Ltd., the Company manages segregated accounts, capitalized by the Company and third party investors that provide reinsurance for property catastrophe risks. Additional information on Everest Re Group companies can be found at the Group’s web site at www.everestregroup.com.

A conference call discussing the second quarter results will be held at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on July 25, 2017. The call will be available on the Internet through the Company’s web site or at www.streetevents.com.

Recipients are encouraged to visit the Company’s web site to view supplemental financial information on the Company’s results. The supplemental information is located at www.everestregroup.com in the “Financial Reports” section of the “Investor Center”. The supplemental financial information may also be obtained by contacting the Company directly.

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1The Company generally uses after-tax operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate its performance. After-tax operating income (loss) consists of net income (loss) excluding after-tax net realized capital gains (losses) as the following reconciliation displays:

                Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 2017   2016 2017   2016 (unaudited) (unaudited)   Per Diluted Per Diluted Per Diluted Per Diluted Common Common Common Common Amount Share Amount Share Amount Share Amount Share   Net income (loss) $ 245,674 $ 5.95 $ 155,692 $ 3.67 $ 537,317 $ 13.02 $ 327,378 $ 7.68 After-tax net realized capital gains (losses)   18,224   0.44   21,462   0.51   50,334   1.22   (29,517 )   (0.69 )   After-tax operating income (loss) $ 227,450 $ 5.51 $ 134,230 $ 3.17 $ 486,983 $ 11.80 $ 356,895   $ 8.37     (Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)

Although net realized capital gains (losses) are an integral part of the Company’s insurance operations, the determination of net realized capital gains (losses) is independent of the insurance underwriting process. The Company believes that the level of net realized capital gains (losses) for any particular period is not indicative of the performance of the underlying business in that particular period. Providing only a GAAP presentation of net income (loss) makes it more difficult for users of the financial information to evaluate the Company’s success or failure in its basic business, and may lead to incorrect or misleading assumptions and conclusions. The Company understands that the equity analysts who follow the Company focus on after-tax operating income (loss) in their analyses for the reasons discussed above. The Company provides after-tax operating income (loss) to investors so that they have what management believes to be a useful supplement to GAAP information concerning the Company’s performance.

2Adjusted shareholders’ equity excludes net after-tax unrealized (appreciation) depreciation of investments

--Financial Details Follow--

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)     Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 2017 2016 2017 2016 (unaudited) (unaudited) REVENUES: Premiums earned $ 1,369,681 $ 1,288,860 $ 2,681,778 $ 2,507,727 Net investment income 134,508 132,737 256,797 235,261 Net realized capital gains (losses): Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities (2,475 ) (1,470 ) (3,703 ) (30,263 ) Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to other comprehensive income (loss) - - - - Other net realized capital gains (losses)   27,743     34,128     81,699     (11,338 ) Total net realized capital gains (losses) 25,268 32,658 77,996 (41,601 ) Net derivative gain (loss) 766 1,996 3,396 (1,024 ) Other income (expense)   388     (28,367 )   (4,578 )   (30,433 ) Total revenues   1,530,611     1,427,884     3,015,389     2,669,930     CLAIMS AND EXPENSES: Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses 861,275 857,816 1,632,063 1,558,565 Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees 299,956 295,502 582,225 570,508 Other underwriting expenses 78,869 72,077 154,756 144,187 Corporate expenses 6,919 7,117 15,376 15,003 Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense   8,059     9,073     17,023     18,301   Total claims and expenses   1,255,078     1,241,585     2,401,443     2,306,564     INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES 275,533 186,299 613,946 363,366 Income tax expense (benefit)   29,859     30,607     76,629     35,988     NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 245,674 $ 155,692 $ 537,317 $ 327,378   Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period 4,868 124,356 24,416 267,318 Reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)   (8,993 )   (1,448 )   (11,192 )   30,933   Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period (4,125 ) 122,908 13,224 298,251   Foreign currency translation adjustments 35,667 5,050 47,560 14,823   Benefit plan actuarial net gain (loss) for the period - - - - Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net (gain) loss included in net income (loss)   2,004     1,341     4,008     2,681   Total benefit plan net gain (loss) for the period   2,004     1,341     4,008     2,681   Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax   33,546     129,299     64,792     315,755     COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ 279,220   $ 284,991   $ 602,109   $ 643,133     EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE: Basic $ 5.98 $ 3.70 $ 13.10 $ 7.73 Diluted 5.95 3.67 13.02 7.68 Dividends declared 1.25 1.15 2.50 2.30   EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.             CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS     June 30, December 31, (Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except par value per share) 2017 2016 (unaudited) ASSETS: Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value $ 14,922,035 $ 14,107,408 (amortized cost: 2017, $14,756,926; 2016, $13,932,613) Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2017, $110,724; 2016, $129,553) 107,430 119,067 Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value 1,071,390 1,010,085 Short-term investments 326,585 431,478 Other invested assets (cost: 2017, $1,303,231; 2016, $1,333,069) 1,304,556 1,333,129 Cash   469,205     481,922   Total investments and cash 18,201,201 17,483,089 Accrued investment income 96,928 96,473 Premiums receivable 1,830,520 1,485,990 Reinsurance receivables 1,036,998 1,018,325 Funds held by reinsureds 272,526 260,644 Deferred acquisition costs 357,325 344,052 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 281,345 191,768 Income taxes 167,913 177,704 Other assets   277,135     263,459   TOTAL ASSETS $ 22,521,891   $ 21,321,504     LIABILITIES: Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 10,475,705 $ 10,312,313 Future policy benefit reserve 54,238 55,074 Unearned premium reserve 1,744,527 1,577,546 Funds held under reinsurance treaties 23,276 21,278 Commission reserves 53,996 70,335 Other net payable to reinsurers 262,462 190,986 Losses in course of payment 356,330 67,107 4.868% Senior notes due 6/1/2044 396,774 396,714 6.6% Long term notes due 5/1/2067 236,511 236,462 Accrued interest on debt and borrowings 2,632 3,537 Equity index put option liability 18,662 22,059 Unsettled securities payable 86,931 27,927 Other liabilities   225,049     264,770   Total liabilities   13,937,093     13,246,108     SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred shares, par value: $0.01; 50,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding - - Common shares, par value: $0.01; 200,000 shares authorized; (2017) 69,037 and (2016) 68,871 outstanding before treasury shares 691 689 Additional paid-in capital 2,150,659 2,140,783 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of $758 at 2017 and $8,240 at 2016 (151,972 ) (216,764 ) Treasury shares, at cost; 27,972 shares 2017 and 2016 (3,272,244 ) (3,272,244 ) Retained earnings   9,857,664     9,422,932   Total shareholders' equity   8,584,798     8,075,396   TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 22,521,891   $ 21,321,504     EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS     Six Months Ended June 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 (unaudited) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income (loss) $ 537,317 $ 327,378 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable (337,069 ) 20,168 Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net (7,980 ) 45,656 Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables 8,270 (68,284 ) Decrease (increase) in income taxes 18,362 (10,424 ) Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums (87,091 ) (51,243 ) Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses 97,493 352,147 Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserve (836 ) (1,083 ) Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums 161,009 (119,315 ) Increase (decrease) in other net payable to reinsurers 65,929 46,508 Increase (decrease) in losses in course of payment 288,557 11,188 Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships (31,032 ) (16,518 ) Distribution of limited partnership income 22,992 41,296 Change in other assets and liabilities, net (61,765 ) 26,102 Non-cash compensation expense 15,725 14,262 Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount) 22,475 24,125 Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes 2 2 Net realized capital (gains) losses   (77,996 )   41,601   Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   634,362     683,566     CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value 1,145,162 923,832 Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value 991,209 594,764 Proceeds from fixed securities sold - available for sale, at fair value - 1,587 Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at market value 18,802 226 Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value 258,226 430,038 Distributions from other invested assets 2,476,399 2,261,682 Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value (2,880,188 ) (1,932,527 ) Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at market value (2,610 ) (2,393 ) Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value (258,543 ) (194,043 ) Cost of other invested assets acquired (2,431,281 ) (2,711,306 ) Net change in short-term investments 105,566 271,913 Net change in unsettled securities transactions   47,800     59,619   Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (529,458 )   (296,608 )   CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Common shares issued during the period, net (5,847 ) 2,683 Purchase of treasury shares - (186,357 ) Dividends paid to shareholders (102,585 ) (96,838 ) Cost of shares withheld for taxes on settlements of share-based compensation awards   (12,407 )   (9,090 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (120,839 )   (289,602 )   EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH   3,218     48,273     Net increase (decrease) in cash (12,717 ) 145,629 Cash, beginning of period   481,922     283,658   Cash, end of period $ 469,205   $ 429,287     SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Income taxes paid (recovered) $ 57,772 $ 41,905 Interest paid 16,704 18,192

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Everest Global Services, Inc.Elizabeth B. Farrell, 908-604-3169Vice President, Investor Relations