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AMERISAFE Announces 2021 Second Quarter Results

AMERISAFE, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMSF), a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on high hazard industries, today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,June 30,

2021

2020

% Change

2021

2020

% Change

(in thousands, except per share data)(in thousands, except per share data)
Net premiums earned

$

69,888

$

75,964

-8.0

%

$

140,634

$

154,954

-9.2

%

Net investment income

6,730

7,324

-8.1

%

13,313

15,073

-11.7

%

Net realized gains on investments (pretax)

1,179

163

NM

1,498

1,155

29.7

%

Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities (pre-tax)

3,286

5,570

NM

8,797

(3,193

)

NM

Net income

23,767

23,948

-0.8

%

43,079

34,748

24.0

%

Diluted earnings per share

$

1.23

$

1.24

-0.8

%

$

2.22

$

1.80

23.3

%

Operating net income

20,240

19,419

4.2

%

34,946

36,358

-3.9

%

Operating earnings per share

$

1.04

$

1.00

4.0

%

$

1.80

$

1.88

-4.3

%

Book value per share

$

24.19

$

23.94

1.0

%

$

24.19

$

23.94

1.0

%

Net combined ratio

74.4

%

78.5

%

79.6

%

81.1

%

Return on average equity

20.8

%

21.3

%

19.0

%

15.6

%

G. Janelle Frost, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Approved loss costs declined, and competition remained strong this quarter, even as industry-wide results reported an increasing combined ratio for 2020. AMERISAFE’s combined ratio, however, declined this quarter. Favorable prior year case development and operating expense management countered premium pressures as pricing declined and the economy continued to recover.”

INSURANCE RESULTS

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,June 30,

2021

2020

% Change

2021

2020

% Change
(in thousands)(in thousands)
 
Gross premiums written

$

73,724

$

80,289

-8.2

%

$

155,238

$

167,360

-7.2

%

Net premiums earned

69,888

75,964

-8.0

%

140,634

154,954

-9.2

%

Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred

32,423

37,530

-13.6

%

71,940

81,177

-11.4

%

Underwriting and certain other operating costs,
commissions, salaries and benefits

18,455

21,131

-12.7

%

37,422

42,415

-11.8

%

Policyholder dividends

1,117

948

17.8

%

2,467

1,971

25.2

%

Underwriting profit (pre-tax)

$

17,893

$

16,355

9.4

%

$

28,805

$

29,391

-2.0

%

 
Insurance Ratios:
Current accident year loss ratio

72.0

%

72.5

%

72.0

%

72.5

%

Prior accident year loss ratio

-25.6

%

-23.1

%

-20.8

%

-20.1

%

Net loss ratio

46.4

%

49.4

%

51.2

%

52.4

%

Net underwriting expense ratio

26.4

%

27.8

%

26.6

%

27.4

%

Net dividend ratio

1.6

%

1.3

%

1.8

%

1.3

%

Net combined ratio

74.4

%

78.5

%

79.6

%

81.1

%

  • Gross premiums written in the second quarter of 2021 decreased by $6.6 million, or 8.2%, primarily due to lower voluntary premiums on policies written in the quarter which were 8.9% lower compared to the second quarter of 2020. This reduction in premium is primarily due to a continued decline in approved loss costs, which were lower by 6.5% on average on policies we renewed during the quarter.
  • Payroll audits and related premium adjustments increased premiums written by $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2021, the same amount as the second quarter of 2020.
  • The current accident year loss ratio for the second quarter was 72.0%, unchanged from the first quarter of 2021, and one half point lower than 2020. During the quarter, the Company experienced favorable case reserve development for prior accident years, which reduced loss and loss adjustment expenses by $17.9 million, primarily from accident years 2015 through 2019.
  • For the quarter ended June 30, 2021, the underwriting expense ratio was 26.4% compared with 27.8% in the same quarter in 2020. The decrease in the expense ratio was primarily due to lower insurance related assessments compared to the same quarter in 2020.
  • The effective tax rate for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 was 18.5%, which was the same as the second quarter of 2020.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,June 30,

2021

2020

% Change

2021

2020

% Change
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Net investment income

$

6,730

$

7,324

-8.1

%

$

13,313

$

15,073

-11.7

%

Net realized gains on investments (pre-tax)

1,179

163

NM

1,498

1,155

29.7

%

Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities (pre-tax)

3,286

5,570

NM

8,797

(3,193

)

NM

Pre-tax investment yield

2.3

%

2.5

%

2.3

%

2.5

%

Tax-equivalent yield (1)

2.6

%

2.9

%

2.6

%

2.9

%

 
(1)

The tax equivalent yield is calculated using the effective interest rate and the appropriate marginal tax rate.

  • Net investment income for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, decreased 8.1% to $6.7 million from $7.3 million in the second quarter of 2020, due to lower investment yields on fixed-income securities.
  • As of June 30, 2021, the carrying value of AMERISAFE’s investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, was $1.2 billion.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The Company paid a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share on June 25, 2021. On July 27, 2021 the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share, payable on September 24, 2021 to shareholders of record as of September 10, 2021.

Book value per share at June 30, 2021 was $24.19, an increase of 6.6% from $22.70 at December 31, 2020.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,June 30,

2021

2020

2021

2020

(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
Net income

$

23,767

$

23,948

$

43,079

$

34,748

Less:
Net realized gains on investments

1,179

163

1,498

1,155

Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities

3,286

5,570

8,797

(3,193

)

Tax effect (1)

(938

)

(1,204

)

(2,162

)

428

Operating net income (2)

$

20,240

$

19,419

$

34,946

$

36,358

 
Average shareholders’ equity (3)

$

457,996

$

449,876

$

453,591

$

446,506

Less:
Average accumulated other comprehensive income

16,417

16,437

18,941

15,695

Average adjusted shareholders’ equity (2)

$

441,579

$

433,439

$

434,650

$

430,811

 
Diluted weighted average common shares

19,380,611

19,335,707

19,384,078

19,335,748

 
Return on average equity (4)

20.8

%

21.3

%

19.0

%

15.6

%

Operating return on average adjusted equity (2)

18.3

%

17.9

%

16.1

%

16.9

%

Diluted earnings per share

$

1.23

$

1.24

$

2.22

$

1.80

Operating earnings per share (2)

$

1.04

$

1.00

$

1.80

$

1.88

 

(1)

The tax effect of net realized losses on investments and net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities is calculated with an effective tax rate of 21%.

(2)

Operating net income, operating return on average adjusted equity and operating earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that investors’ understanding of core operating performance is enhanced by AMERISAFE’s disclosure of these financial measures.

(3)

Average shareholders’ equity is calculated by taking the average of the beginning and ending shareholders’ equity.

(4)

Return on average equity is calculated by dividing the annualized net income by the average shareholders’ equity.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

AMERISAFE has scheduled a conference call for July 29, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results for the quarter and comment on future periods. To participate in the conference call, dial 323-701-0225 (Conference Code 2203760) at least ten minutes before the call begins.

Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call over the Internet by visiting http://www.amerisafe.com. To listen to the live call on the web, please visit the website at least ten minutes before the call begins to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, an archive will be available shortly after the call at http://www.amerisafe.com.

ABOUT AMERISAFE

AMERISAFE, Inc. is a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking, logging and lumber, manufacturing, and agriculture. AMERISAFE actively markets workers’ compensation insurance in 27 states.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements accompanied by words such as “will,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” or similar words are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding AMERISAFE’s plans and performance. These statements are based on management’s estimates, assumptions and projections as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance and include statements regarding management’s views and expectations of the workers’ compensation market, the Company’s growth opportunities, underwriting margins and actions by competitors. Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in these statements if the underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect or as the results of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Other factors that may affect our results are set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including AMERISAFE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. AMERISAFE cautions you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. AMERISAFE does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

- Tables to Follow -

AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands)

 
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,June 30,

2021

2020

2021

2020

(unaudited)(unaudited)
Revenues:
Gross premiums written

$

73,724

$

80,289

$

155,238

$

167,360

Ceded premiums written

(2,486

)

(2,672

)

(5,003

)

(5,455

)

Net premiums written

$

71,238

$

77,617

$

150,235

$

161,905

 
Net premiums earned

$

69,888

$

75,964

$

140,634

$

154,954

Net investment income

6,730

7,324

13,313

15,073

Net realized gains on investments

1,179

163

1,498

1,155

Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities

3,286

5,570

8,797

(3,193

)

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

(2

)

(29

)

21

(29

)

Fee and other income

76

90

245

291

Total revenues

81,157

89,082

164,508

168,251

 
Expenses:
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred

32,423

37,530

71,940

81,177

Underwriting and other operating costs

18,455

21,131

37,422

42,415

Policyholder dividends

1,117

948

2,467

1,971

Provision for investment related credit loss expense (benefit)

(9

)

82

(117

)

56

Total expenses

51,986

59,691

111,712

125,619

 
Income before taxes

29,171

29,391

52,796

42,632

Income tax expense

5,404

5,443

9,717

7,884

Net income

$

23,767

$

23,948

$

43,079

$

34,748

AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income (cont.)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,June 30,

2021

2020

2021

2020

(unaudited)(unaudited)
Basic EPS:
Net income

$

23,767

$

23,948

$

43,079

$

34,748

 
Basic weighted average common shares

19,327,422

19,280,684

19,319,608

19,273,347

Basic earnings per share

$

1.23

$

1.24

$

2.23

$

1.80

 
Diluted EPS:
Net income

$

23,767

$

23,948

$

43,079

$

34,748

 
Diluted weighted average common shares:
Weighted average common shares

19,327,422

19,280,684

19,319,608

19,273,347

Restricted stock and stock options

53,189

55,023

64,470

62,401

Diluted weighted average common shares

19,380,611

19,335,707

19,384,078

19,335,748

 
Diluted earnings per share

$

1.23

$

1.24

$

2.22

$

1.80

AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 
June 30,December 31,

2021

2020

(unaudited)
Assets
Investments

$

1,112,805

$

1,088,744

Cash and cash equivalents

57,541

61,757

Amounts recoverable from reinsurers

110,912

105,803

Premiums receivable, net

165,158

156,760

Deferred income taxes

14,219

13,665

Deferred policy acquisition costs

18,857

17,810

Other assets

26,771

26,316

$

1,506,263

$

1,470,855

 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses

$

744,969

$

760,561

Unearned premiums

138,861

129,260

Insurance-related assessments

18,688

17,995

Other liabilities

135,379

124,223

 
Shareholders’ equity

468,366

438,816

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

1,506,263

$

1,470,855

Contacts:

Neal A. Fuller, EVP & CFO
AMERISAFE
337.463.9052

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