NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Loews
Corporation (NYSE: L) today reported net income for the year ended
December 31, 2019 of $932 million, or $3.07 per share, compared to $636 million, or $1.99 per share, in 2018. For the three months
ended December 31, 2019, Loews
reported net income of $217 million,
or $0.73 per share, compared to a net
loss of $165 million, or $0.53 per share, in the prior year period.
Net income for the year ended December
31, 2019 increased due to higher earnings at CNA Financial
Corporation and Boardwalk Pipelines, as well as higher parent
company net investment income. These increases were partially
offset by lower results at Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. and
Loews Hotels & Co. Results for the three months ended
December 31, 2019 improved mainly due
to increased net investment income at CNA and the parent company,
partially offset by lower results at Boardwalk Pipelines and Loews
Hotels & Co. The loss during the three months ended
December 31, 2018 was driven by
catastrophe losses at CNA, investment results at both CNA and the
parent company, and operating results at Diamond Offshore.
Book value per share increased to $65.71 at December 31,
2019 from $59.34 at
December 31, 2018. Book value per
share excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI)
increased to $65.94 at December 31, 2019 from $62.16 at December 31,
2018.
CONSOLIDATED HIGHLIGHTS
(In millions, except
per share data)
|
December
31,
|
Three
Months
|
Years
Ended
|
2019
|
2018
|
2019
|
2018
|
Income (loss) before
net investment gains (losses)
|
$
211
|
$ (110)
|
$ 899
|
$ 674
|
Net investment gains
(losses)
|
6
|
(55)
|
33
|
(38)
|
Net income (loss)
attributable to Loews Corporation
|
$
217
|
$ (165)
|
$ 932
|
$ 636
|
Net income (loss) per
share
|
$ 0.73
|
$ (0.53)
|
$ 3.07
|
$ 1.99
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
2019
|
December 31,
2018
|
Book value per
share
|
$
65.71
|
$
59.34
|
Book value per
share excluding AOCI
|
65.94
|
62.16
|
Shares
outstanding
|
291.0
|
312.1
|
Three Months Ended December 31,
2019 Compared to 2018
CNA's earnings increased primarily due to higher net investment
income and net investment gains and higher current year
underwriting income driven mainly by lower catastrophe losses for
the Property & Casualty ("P&C") business. Earnings were
partially offset by a higher net retroactive reinsurance charge
recorded under the 2010 loss portfolio transfer with National
Indemnity as compared with 2018. The P&C business generated
gross written premium growth of 8% and net written premium growth
of 6%.
Diamond Offshore's net loss improved primarily due to higher
contract drilling revenues as a result of a contractual margin
commitment from a customer, significantly offset by higher rig
operating expenses including contract preparation and rig
activation costs and increased depreciation expense.
Boardwalk Pipelines' operations benefited from higher firm
transportation revenues from growth projects recently placed into
service partially offset by the net impact of contract
restructurings, expirations and renewals. Boardwalk Pipelines' net
income decreased as a result of a favorable tax adjustment recorded
in 2018.
Loews Hotels & Co's results decreased due to impairment
charges totaling $89 million
($69 million after tax) related to
the carrying value of hotel properties. Excluding these charges,
earnings benefited from improved results at the Orlando JV
properties and certain owned hotels.
Income generated by the parent company investment portfolio
increased primarily due to higher returns on equity securities.
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Compared to 2018
CNA's earnings increased from higher net investment income
driven by improved returns on limited partnership investments and
from higher net investment gains. In addition, earnings in 2019
benefited from a lower net retroactive reinsurance charge recorded
under the 2010 loss portfolio transfer with National Indemnity as
compared with 2018 and a higher reduction of claim reserves
resulting from the annual long term care claim experience study as
compared with 2018. These increases were partially offset by a
charge of $216 million ($151 million after tax and noncontrolling
interests) resulting from the recognition of an active life reserve
premium deficiency in long term care.
Diamond Offshore's results declined due to compressed contract
drilling margins. Results in 2019 benefited from the absence of a
$12 million rig impairment charge and
an $8 million legal settlement charge
(both after tax and noncontrolling interests) recorded in 2018.
Boardwalk Pipelines' earnings attributable to Loews improved
primarily due to Loews owning 100% of the company as compared to
51% for a portion of 2018. Net income in 2019 also includes
proceeds received in conjunction with a contract cancellation due
to a customer bankruptcy that resulted in a $19 million (after tax) benefit and higher firm
transportation revenues from growth projects recently placed into
service, partially offset by the impact of contract restructurings
and expirations.
Loews Hotels & Co's results decreased primarily due to
impairment charges totaling $99
million ($77 million after
tax) related to the carrying value of hotel properties. Excluding
these impairment charges, earnings decreased due to higher
pre-opening and other non-recurring expenses related to properties
under development.
Income generated by the parent company investment portfolio
increased due primarily to higher returns on equity securities.
SHARE REPURCHASES
At December 31, 2019, there were
291.0 million shares of Loews common stock outstanding. For the
three months and year ended December 31,
2019, the Company repurchased 8.3 million and 21.5 million
shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $417 million and $1.1
billion. From January 1, 2020
to February 7, 2020, the Company
repurchased an additional 3.3 million shares of its common
stock at an aggregate cost of $172 million. Depending on
market conditions, the Company may from time to time purchase
shares of its and its subsidiaries' outstanding common stock in the
open market or otherwise.
CONFERENCE CALLS
A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter results of Loews
Corporation has been scheduled for today at 11:00 a.m. ET. A live webcast will be available
via the Investors/Media section of www.loews.com. Those interested
in participating in the question and answer session should dial
(877) 692-2592, or for international callers, (973) 582-2757. The
conference ID number is 8484537. An online replay will also be
available at www.loews.com following the call.
A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter results of CNA
has been scheduled for today at 10:00 a.m.
ET. A live webcast will be available via the Investor
Relations section of www.cna.com. Those interested in participating
in the question and answer session should dial (800) 289-0571, or
for international callers, (720) 543-0206.
A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter results of
Diamond Offshore has been scheduled for today at 9:00 a.m. ET. A live webcast will be available
via the Investor Relations section of www.diamondoffshore.com.
Those interested in participating in the question and answer
session should dial (844) 492-6043, or for international callers,
(478) 219-0839. The conference ID number is 5959776.
ABOUT LOEWS CORPORATION
Loews Corporation is a diversified company with businesses in
the insurance, energy, hospitality and packaging industries. Our
subsidiaries are: CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE: CNA), Diamond
Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE: DO), Boardwalk Pipelines, Loews
Hotels & Co and Altium Packaging (formerly Consolidated
Container Company). Investors are encouraged to view the subsidiary
virtual investor presentations found in the 'Events &
Presentations' section of ir.loews.com for an in-depth strategic
review of Loews's subsidiaries. For more information please visit
www.loews.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements contained in this press release which are not
historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements
are inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of risks that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected
by management of the Company. A discussion of the important risk
factors and other considerations that could materially impact these
matters as well as the Company's overall business and financial
performance can be found in the Company's reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and readers of this release are
urged to review those reports carefully when considering these
forward-looking statements. Copies of these reports are available
through the Company's website (www.loews.com). Given these risk
factors, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements
speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company
expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release
publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement
to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard
thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on
which any forward-looking statement is based.
|
Loews Corporation
and Subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selected Financial
Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
Three
Months
|
Years
Ended
|
|
(In
millions)
|
2019
|
2018
|
2019
|
2018
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
CNA Financial
(a)
|
$
2,777
|
$
2,403
|
$
10,788
|
$
10,134
|
|
Diamond
Offshore
|
277
|
234
|
988
|
1,093
|
|
Boardwalk Pipelines
(b)
|
331
|
326
|
1,300
|
1,227
|
|
Loews Hotels &
Co
|
170
|
181
|
692
|
755
|
|
Investment income and
other (c)
|
321
|
143
|
1,163
|
857
|
|
Total
|
$
3,876
|
$
3,287
|
$
14,931
|
$
14,066
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (Loss) Before
Income Tax:
|
|
|
|
|
|
CNA Financial (a) (d)
(e) (f)
|
$
336
|
$
(114)
|
$
1,224
|
$
963
|
|
Diamond Offshore (g)
(h)
|
(81)
|
(66)
|
(402)
|
(226)
|
|
Boardwalk Pipelines
(b)
|
64
|
59
|
281
|
231
|
|
Loews Hotels & Co
(i)
|
(70)
|
15
|
(28)
|
73
|
|
Corporate:
(j)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment income
(loss), net
|
76
|
(71)
|
229
|
(10)
|
|
Other
|
(49)
|
(55)
|
(185)
|
(197)
|
|
Total
|
$
276
|
$
(232)
|
$
1,119
|
$
834
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income (Loss)
Attributable to Loews Corporation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
CNA Financial (a) (d)
(e) (f)
|
$
244
|
$
(75)
|
$
894
|
$
726
|
|
Diamond Offshore (g)
(h) (k)
|
(38)
|
(58)
|
(175)
|
(112)
|
|
Boardwalk Pipelines
(b)
|
48
|
55
|
209
|
135
|
|
Loews Hotels & Co
(i)
|
(59)
|
7
|
(31)
|
48
|
|
Corporate:
(k)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment income
(loss), net
|
67
|
(57)
|
188
|
(8)
|
|
Other
|
(45)
|
(37)
|
(153)
|
(153)
|
|
Net income (loss)
attributable to Loews Corporation
|
$
217
|
$
(165)
|
$
932
|
$
636
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Includes net
investment gains of $8 million and net investment losses of $78
million ($6 million and $55 million
after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the three months ended
December 31, 2019 and 2018. Includes net
investment gains of $49 million and net investment losses of $57
million ($33 million and $38 million after tax
and noncontrolling interests) for the year ended December 31, 2019
and 2018.
|
(b)
|
Includes settlement
proceeds of $26 million ($19 million after tax) related to a
customer bankruptcy for the year
ended December 31, 2019.
|
(c)
|
Includes parent
company investment income and the financial results of Altium
Packaging (formerly Consolidated
Container).
|
(d)
|
Includes losses of
$61 million and $35 million ($43 million and $24 million after tax
and noncontrolling interests)
for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and losses of
$18 million and $48 million ($12 million
and $34 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the
years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 related
to the 2010 retroactive reinsurance agreement to cede CNA's legacy
asbestos and environmental pollution
liabilities.
|
(e)
|
Includes a loss of
$21 million ($15 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) on
the early redemption of debt
for the year ended December 31, 2019.
|
(f)
|
Includes a charge of
$216 million ($151 million after tax and noncontrolling interests)
for the year ended December
31, 2019 related to the recognition of an active life reserve
premium deficiency in long term care that was
primarily driven by changes in interest rate assumptions, partially
offset by a $56 million ($39 million after tax
and noncontrolling interests) reduction in claim and claim
adjustment expense reserves for policyholders on
claim resulting from the annual long term care claim experience
study. The prior year claim experience study
resulted in a reduction in claim and claim adjustment expense
reserves of $31 million ($21 million after tax and
noncontrolling interests) for the year ended December 31,
2018.
|
(g)
|
Includes asset
impairment charges of $27 million ($12 million after tax and
noncontrolling interests) for the year
ended December 31, 2018.
|
(h)
|
Includes a legal
settlement charge of $18 million ($8 million after tax and
noncontrolling interests) for the year
ended December 31, 2018.
|
(i)
|
Includes asset
impairment charges of $89 million ($69 million after tax) for the
three months ended December
31, 2019 and $99 million ($77 million after tax) for the year ended
December 31, 2019 related to the carrying
value of hotel properties.
|
(j)
|
The Corporate segment
consists of investment income from the parent company's cash and
investments,
interest expense, other unallocated corporate expenses and the
financial results of Altium Packaging.
|
(k)
|
For the three months
ended December 31, 2019, includes a favorable tax adjustment of $12
million ($5 million
after noncontrolling interests) and for the year ended December 31,
2019 and 2018, includes a favorable tax
adjustment of $26 million and $43 million ($12 million and $23
million after noncontrolling interests) related to an
uncertain tax position recorded by Diamond Offshore at year-end
2017.
|
|
|
Loews Corporation
and Subsidiaries
|
|
Consolidated
Financial Review
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
Three
Months
|
Years
Ended
|
|
(In millions, except
per share data)
|
2019
|
2018
|
2019
|
2018
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance
premiums
|
$
1,911
|
$
1,859
|
$
7,428
|
$
7,312
|
|
Net investment
income
|
622
|
266
|
2,355
|
1,817
|
|
Investment gains
(losses)
|
8
|
(78)
|
49
|
(57)
|
|
Operating revenues
and other (a)
|
1,335
|
1,240
|
5,099
|
4,994
|
|
Total
|
3,876
|
3,287
|
14,931
|
14,066
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance claims and
policyholders' benefits (b) (c)
|
1,483
|
1,594
|
5,806
|
5,572
|
|
Operating expenses
and other (d) (e)
|
2,117
|
1,925
|
8,006
|
7,660
|
|
Total
|
3,600
|
3,519
|
13,812
|
13,232
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before
income tax
|
276
|
(232)
|
1,119
|
834
|
|
Income tax (expense)
benefit (f)
|
(65)
|
21
|
(248)
|
(128)
|
|
Net income
(loss)
|
211
|
(211)
|
871
|
706
|
|
Amounts attributable
to noncontrolling interests
|
6
|
46
|
61
|
(70)
|
|
Net income (loss)
attributable to Loews Corporation
|
$
217
|
$
(165)
|
$
932
|
$
636
|
|
Net income (loss) per
share attributable to Loews Corporation
|
$
0.73
|
$
(0.53)
|
$
3.07
|
$
1.99
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average
number of shares
|
296.29
|
313.88
|
303.35
|
319.93
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Includes settlement
proceeds of $26 million ($19 million after tax) related to a
customer bankruptcy for the year ended
December 31, 2019.
|
(b)
|
Includes losses of
$61 million and $35 million ($43 million and $24 million after tax
and noncontrolling interests) for the
three months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and losses of $18
million and $48 million ($12 million and $34 million
after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the years ended
December 31, 2019 and 2018 related to the 2010 retroactive
reinsurance agreement to cede CNA's legacy asbestos and
environmental pollution liabilities.
|
(c)
|
Includes a charge of
$216 million ($151 million after tax and noncontrolling interests)
for the year ended December 31,
2019 related to the recognition of an active life reserve premium
deficiency in long term care that was primarily driven
by changes in interest rate assumptions, partially offset by a $56
million ($39 million after tax and noncontrolling
interests) reduction in claim and claim adjustment expense reserves
for policyholders on claim resulting from the annual
long term care claim experience study. The prior year claim
experience study resulted in a reduction in claim and claim
adjustment expense reserves of $31 million ($21 million after tax
and noncontrolling interests) for the year ended
December 31, 2018.
|
(d)
|
Includes a loss of
$21 million ($15 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) on
the early redemption of debt for the year
ended December 31, 2019.
|
(e)
|
Includes asset
impairment charges of $89 million ($69 million after tax) for the
three months ended December 31, 2019
and $99 million and $27 million ($77 million and $12 million after
tax and noncontrolling interests) for the years ended
December 31, 2019 and 2018.
|
(f)
|
For the three months
ended December 31, 2019, includes a favorable tax adjustment of $12
million ($5 million after
noncontrolling interests) and for the year ended December 31, 2019
and 2018, includes a favorable tax adjustment of
$26 million and $43 million ($12 million and $23 million after
noncontrolling interests) related to an uncertain tax position
recorded by Diamond Offshore at year-end 2017.
|
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SOURCE Loews Corporation