AMERISAFE Announces 2022 Second Quarter Results

Reports Net Combined Ratio of 86.7%

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, 2022.

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

% Change

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

% Change

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

$

70,279

 

$

69,888

 

0.6

%

$

137,835

 

$

140,634

 

-2.0

%

Net investment income

 

6,485

 

 

6,730

 

-3.6

%

 

12,598

 

 

13,313

 

-5.4

%

Net realized gains on investments (pre-tax)

 

1,079

 

 

1,179

 

-8.5

%

 

1,817

 

 

1,498

 

21.3

%

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

 

(9,942

)

 

3,286

 

NM

 

 

(8,902

)

 

8,797

 

NM

 

Net income

 

6,132

 

 

23,767

 

-74.2

%

 

23,463

 

 

43,079

 

-45.5

%

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.32

 

$

1.23

 

-74.0

%

$

1.21

 

$

2.22

 

-45.5

%

Operating net income

 

13,134

 

 

20,240

 

-35.1

%

 

29,060

 

 

34,946

 

-16.8

%

Operating earnings per share

$

0.68

 

$

1.04

 

-34.6

%

$

1.50

 

$

1.80

 

-16.7

%

Book value per share

$

19.95

 

$

24.19

 

-17.5

%

$

19.95

 

$

24.19

 

-17.5

%

Net combined ratio

 

86.7

%

 

74.4

%

 

83.4

%

 

79.6

%

Return on average equity

 

6.3

%

 

20.8

%

 

12.0

%

 

19.0

%

G. Janelle Frost, President and Chief Executive Officer, observed, “Robust payroll audits led to premium growth this quarter, helping to offset premium declines from underlying loss costs decreases. In addition, strong renewal retention continued despite competition not waning in 2022.”

INSURANCE RESULTS

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

% Change

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

% Change

(in thousands)

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 
Gross premiums written

$

74,460

 

$

73,724

 

1.0

%

$

152,251

 

$

155,238

 

-1.9

%

Net premiums earned

 

70,279

 

 

69,888

 

0.6

%

 

137,835

 

 

140,634

 

-2.0

%

Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred

 

40,326

 

 

32,423

 

24.4

%

 

78,067

 

 

71,940

 

8.5

%

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

 

19,913

 

 

18,455

 

7.9

%

 

35,026

 

 

37,422

 

-6.4

%

Policyholder dividends

 

688

 

 

1,117

 

-38.4

%

 

1,877

 

 

2,467

 

-23.9

%

Underwriting profit (pre-tax)

$

9,352

 

$

17,893

 

-47.7

%

$

22,865

 

$

28,805

 

-20.6

%

 
Insurance Ratios:
Current accident year loss ratio

 

71.0

%

 

72.0

%

 

71.0

%

 

72.0

%

Prior accident year loss ratio

 

-13.6

%

 

-25.6

%

 

-14.4

%

 

-20.8

%

Net loss ratio

 

57.4

%

 

46.4

%

 

56.6

%

 

51.2

%

Net underwriting expense ratio

 

28.3

%

 

26.4

%

 

25.4

%

 

26.6

%

Net dividend ratio

 

1.0

%

 

1.6

%

 

1.4

%

 

1.8

%

Net combined ratio

 

86.7

%

 

74.4

%

 

83.4

%

 

79.6

%

  • Gross written premiums in the quarter were higher by $0.7 million, or 1.0%, compared with the second quarter of 2021. Voluntary premiums were lower by 5.6% compared to the second quarter of 2021.
  • Payroll audits and related premium adjustments were $5.0 million higher than the second quarter of 2021. Audits and other adjustments increased premiums written by $5.5 million in the second quarter of 2022, compared to an increase in premiums written of $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2021. The increase was due to payroll audits now occurring on policy years in which payrolls were less affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The current accident year loss ratio for the second quarter was 71.0%, one point lower than the 72.0% ratio initially set for accident year 2021. During the quarter, the Company experienced favorable net loss development for prior accident years, which reduced loss and loss adjustment expenses by $9.6 million, primarily from accident years 2020 through 2017.
  • For the quarter ended June 30, 2022, the underwriting expense ratio was 28.3% compared with 26.4% in the same quarter in 2021. The increase was primarily due to higher insurance assessments compared with the second quarter of 2021.
  • The effective tax rate for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 was 13.9%, lower than 18.5% in the second quarter of 2021 due to a higher proportion of income from tax-exempt investments.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

% Change

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

% Change

(in thousands)

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

Net investment income

$

6,485

 

$

6,730

-3.6

%

$

12,598

 

$

13,313

-5.4

%

Net realized gains on
investments (pre-tax)

 

1,079

 

 

1,179

 

-8.5

%

 

1,817

 

 

1,498

 

21.3

%

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

 

(9,942

)

 

3,286

 

NM

 

 

(8,902

)

 

8,797

 

NM

 

Pre-tax investment yield

 

2.5

%

 

2.3

%

 

2.4

%

 

2.3

%

Tax-equivalent yield (1)

 

2.9

%

 

2.6

%

 

2.9

%

 

2.6

%

_____________________

(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, 2022, decreased 3.6% to $6.5 million from $6.7 million in the second quarter of 2021, due to lower investment yields on fixed-income securities and slightly lower average invested assets
  • Due to increases in interest rates, the market value of our bond portfolio declined during the quarter.
  • Due to declines in the equity markets, the value of our equity securities were lower by $9.9 million during the quarter, compared to a gain of $3.3 million in the second quarter of 2021. These changes in value are reflected in net income.
  • As of June 30, 2022, the carrying value of AMERISAFE’s investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, was $1.1 billion.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

During the second quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased 77,699 shares at an average cost of $46.88 per share for a total of $3.6 million. The remaining outstanding share repurchase authorization as of June 30, 2022 is $19.3 million.

During the second quarter of 2022, the Company paid a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.31 per share on June 24, 2022. On July 26, 2022 the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.31 per share, payable September 23, 2022 to shareholders of record as of September 9, 2022.

Book value per share at June 30, 2022 was $19.95, a decrease of 3.2% from $20.62 at December 31, 2021.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
Net income

$

6,132

 

$

23,767

 

$

23,463

 

$

43,079

 

Less:
Net realized gains on investments

 

1,079

 

 

1,179

 

 

1,817

 

 

1,498

 

Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities

 

(9,942

)

 

3,286

 

 

(8,902

)

 

8,797

 

Tax effect (1)

 

1,861

 

 

(938

)

 

1,488

 

 

(2,162

)

Operating net income (2)

$

13,134

 

$

20,240

 

$

29,060

 

$

34,946

 

 
Average shareholders’ equity (3)

$

390,131

 

$

457,996

 

$

392,156

 

$

453,591

 

Less:
Average accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(4,409

)

 

16,417

 

 

2,332

 

 

18,941

 

Average adjusted shareholders’ equity (2)

$

394,540

 

$

441,579

 

$

389,824

 

$

434,650

 

 
Diluted weighted average common shares

 

19,332,168

 

 

19,380,611

 

 

19,367,085

 

 

19,384,078

 

 
Return on average equity (4)

 

6.3

%

 

20.8

%

 

12.0

%

 

19.0

%

Operating return on average adjusted equity (2)

 

13.3

%

 

18.3

%

 

14.9

%

 

16.1

%

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.32

 

$

1.23

 

$

1.21

 

$

2.22

 

Operating earnings per share (2)

$

0.68

 

$

1.04

 

$

1.50

 

$

1.80

 

_____________________

(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, 2022, 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 323-701-0160 (Conference Code 1912102) 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 fifteen 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, agriculture, and manufacturing. 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, 2021. 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.

 

AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

Revenues:
Gross premiums written

$

74,460

 

$

73,724

 

$

152,251

 

$

155,238

 

Ceded premiums written

 

(2,725

)

 

(2,486

)

 

(5,284

)

 

(5,003

)

Net premiums written

$

71,735

 

$

71,238

 

$

146,967

 

$

150,235

 

 
Net premiums earned

$

70,279

 

$

69,888

 

$

137,835

 

$

140,634

 

Net investment income

 

6,485

 

 

6,730

 

 

12,598

 

 

13,313

 

Net realized gains on investments

 

1,079

 

 

1,179

 

 

1,817

 

 

1,498

 

Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities

 

(9,942

)

 

3,286

 

 

(8,902

)

 

8,797

 

Fee and other income

 

135

 

 

74

 

 

248

 

 

266

 

Total revenues

 

68,036

 

 

81,157

 

 

143,596

 

 

164,508

 

 
Expenses:
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred

 

40,326

 

 

32,423

 

 

78,067

 

 

71,940

 

Underwriting and other operating costs

 

19,913

 

 

18,455

 

 

35,026

 

 

37,422

 

Policyholder dividends

 

688

 

 

1,117

 

 

1,877

 

 

2,467

 

Provision for investment related credit loss
expense (benefit)

 

(14

)

 

(9

)

 

81

 

 

(117

)

Total expenses

 

60,913

 

 

51,986

 

 

115,051

 

 

111,712

 

 
Income before taxes

 

7,123

 

 

29,171

 

 

28,545

 

 

52,796

 

Income tax expense

 

991

 

 

5,404

 

 

5,082

 

 

9,717

 

Net income

$

6,132

 

$

23,767

 

$

23,463

 

$

43,079

 

 

AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income (cont.)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

(unaudited) (unaudited)
Basic EPS:
Net income

$

6,132

$

23,767

$

23,463

$

43,079

 
Basic weighted average common shares

 

19,273,934

 

 

19,327,422

 

 

19,302,805

 

 

19,319,608

 

Basic earnings per share

$

0.32

 

$

1.23

 

$

1.22

 

$

2.23

 

 
Diluted EPS:
Net income

$

6,132

 

$

23,767

 

$

23,463

 

$

43,079

 

 
Diluted weighted average common shares:
Weighted average common shares

 

19,273,934

 

 

19,327,422

 

 

19,302,805

 

 

19,319,608

 

Restricted stock

 

58,234

 

 

53,189

 

 

64,280

 

 

64,470

 

Diluted weighted average common shares

 

19,332,168

 

 

19,380,611

 

 

19,367,085

 

 

19,384,078

 

 
Diluted earnings per share

$

0.32

 

$

1.23

 

$

1.21

 

$

2.22

 

 

AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

(unaudited)

 

 

Assets
Investments

$

966,400

$

1,012,571

Cash and cash equivalents

 

85,318

 

 

70,722

 

Amounts recoverable from reinsurers

 

118,575

 

 

120,561

 

Premiums receivable, net

 

143,307

 

 

135,100

 

Deferred income taxes

 

21,927

 

 

14,384

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

18,103

 

 

17,059

 

Other assets

 

28,290

 

 

32,327

 

$

1,381,920

 

$

1,402,724

 

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

$

724,891

 

$

745,278

 

Unearned premiums

 

130,224

 

 

121,092

 

Insurance-related assessments

 

18,566

 

 

16,850

 

Other liabilities

 

123,250

 

 

120,181

 

 
Shareholders’ equity

 

384,989

 

 

399,323

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

1,381,920

 

$

1,402,724

 

 

Contacts

Neal A. Fuller, EVP & CFO

AMERISAFE

337.463.9052

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