• Donegal Group Inc. Announces Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2022 Results

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 27 Oct 2022 05:30:00   America/Chicago

    MARIETTA, Pa., Oct. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Donegal Group Inc. (NASDAQ:DGICA) and (NASDAQ:DGICB) today reported its financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022.

    Significant items for third quarter of 2022 (all comparisons to third quarter of 2021):

    • Net loss of $10.4 million, or 33 cents per Class A share, compared to $6.7 million, or 22 cents per Class A share
    • Net premiums earned increased 5.0% to $206.1 million
    • Net premiums written1 increased 4.7% to $206.2 million
    • Combined ratio of 109.6%, compared to 107.7%, largely due to elevated weather-related and fire loss activity
    • Net loss included after-tax net investment losses of $1.9 million, or 6 cents per Class A share, compared to $1.2 million, or 4 cents per Class A share
    • Book value per share of $14.85 at September 30, 2022, compared to $17.21
                
     Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2022   2021  % Change  2022   2021  % Change
     (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                
    Income Statement Data           
    Net premiums earned$206,122  $196,235   5.0% $609,499  $575,975   5.8%
    Investment income, net 8,569   7,764   10.4   24,631   22,926   7.4 
    Net investment (losses) gains (2,358)  (1,570)  50.2   (10,811)  5,140  NM2
    Total revenues 212,838   203,106   4.8   624,776   606,222   3.1 
    Net (loss) income (10,376)  (6,712)  54.6   (5,439)  19,982  NM
    Non-GAAP operating (loss) income1 (8,513)  (5,471)  55.6   3,102   15,922   -80.5 
    Annualized (loss) return on average equity -8.4%  -4.9%  -3.5pts  -1.4%  5.0%  -6.4pts
                
    Per Share Data           
    Net (loss) income – Class A (diluted)$(0.33) $(0.22)  50.0% $(0.17) $0.66  NM
    Net (loss) income – Class B (0.30)  (0.20)  50.0   (0.16)  0.59  NM
    Non-GAAP operating (loss) income – Class A (diluted) (0.27)  (0.18)  50.0   0.10   0.52   -80.8%
    Non-GAAP operating (loss) income – Class B (0.25)  (0.16)  56.3   0.08   0.47   -83.0 
    Book value 14.85   17.21   -13.7   14.85   17.21   -13.7 
                

    1The “Definitions of Non-GAAP and Financial Measures” section of this release defines data that we prepare on an accounting basis other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and reconciles GAAP measures to such data.

    2Not meaningful.

    Management Commentary

    Kevin G. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc., noted, “We are strategically managing premium growth in the challenging current economic environment and continue to focus on strategies and tactics that we believe will yield long-term profit improvement. Weather-related loss activity for the third quarter of 2022 was in line with our historical run rate for the third quarter. Large fire losses had a significant adverse impact on our commercial segment quarterly results. While we did not identify any commonality among the locations or causes of the large fire losses, the increased average severity of these losses compared to the prior-year quarter reflects in part ongoing inflationary increases in the costs of labor and materials. We and other insurance carriers have experienced higher impact from fire losses in recent years compared to historical norms, and we are increasing our utilization of internal and third-party data to analytically identify underlying or emerging risk characteristics we should be considering in our new business and renewal underwriting decisions.”

    Mr. Burke continued, “Overall, we remain encouraged by strong premium retention levels that were bolstered by substantial rate increases we have taken across the majority of our lines of business throughout 2022. In light of ongoing inflation impact on loss trends, we expect to continue implementing premium rate increases in the fourth quarter of 2022 and in 2023. The execution of individual state strategies during 2022 has led to higher-than-average premium growth in well-performing states and reduced exposures in underperforming states. We are refining further our state strategies for 2023 to focus on specific geographies and classes of business we have identified as most promising for profitable future growth. As earned premiums reflect higher premium rates and loss costs stabilize in future periods, we believe the ongoing execution of our strategic plan will lead to improved results. We are also making significant strides in our ongoing modernization initiatives, which we believe are positioning us well to excel in the years ahead.”

    Insurance Operations

    Donegal Group is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer property and casualty lines of insurance in three Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania), three New England states (Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont), six Southern states (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia), eight Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin) and four Southwestern states (Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Utah). Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group.

                
     Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2022   2021  % Change  2022   2021  % Change
     (dollars in thousands)
                
    Net Premiums Earned           
    Commercial lines$127,497  $119,709   6.5% $378,680  $344,234   10.0%
    Personal lines 78,625   76,526   2.7   230,819   231,741   -0.4 
    Total net premiums earned$206,122  $196,235   5.0% $609,499  $575,975   5.8%
                
    Net Premiums Written           
    Commercial lines:           
    Automobile$37,330  $36,604   2.0% $129,546  $126,417   2.5%
    Workers' compensation 24,633   26,265   -6.2   86,873   89,773   -3.2 
    Commercial multi-peril 46,864   43,869   6.8   152,178   143,584   6.0 
    Other 9,357   9,157   2.2   30,964   29,578   4.7 
    Total commercial lines 118,184   115,895   2.0   399,561   389,352   2.6 
    Personal lines:           
    Automobile 48,472   44,711   8.4   135,700   132,014   2.8 
    Homeowners 34,082   30,978   10.0   90,382   84,035   7.6 
    Other 5,491   5,431   1.1   17,474   17,081   2.3 
    Total personal lines 88,045   81,120   8.5   243,556   233,130   4.5 
    Total net premiums written$206,229  $197,015   4.7% $643,117  $622,482   3.3%
                
                

    Net Premiums Written

    The 4.7% increase in net premiums written for the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021, as shown in the table above, represents 2.0% growth in commercial lines net premiums written and 8.5% growth in personal lines net premiums written. The $9.2 million increase in net premiums written for the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 included:

    • Commercial Lines: $2.3 million increase that we attribute primarily to modest new business writings, strong premium retention and a continuation of renewal premium increases in lines other than workers’ compensation, offset partially by planned attrition in regions we have targeted for profit improvement.
    • Personal Lines: $6.9 million increase that we attribute to premium rate increases our insurance subsidiaries have implemented over the past four quarters, strong policy retention and new business writings in certain states where we have introduced an updated suite of products.

    Underwriting Performance

    We evaluate the performance of our commercial lines and personal lines segments primarily based upon the underwriting results of our insurance subsidiaries as determined under statutory accounting practices. The following table presents comparative details with respect to the GAAP and statutory combined ratios1 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:

     Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
     September 30, September 30,
     2022  2021  2022  2021 
            
    GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines)    
    Loss ratio (non-weather)66.2% 66.3% 60.4% 59.8%
    Loss ratio (weather-related)9.4  9.2  7.7  6.4 
    Expense ratio33.4  31.5  34.7  33.9 
    Dividend ratio0.6  0.7  0.7  0.7 
    Combined ratio109.6% 107.7% 103.5% 100.8%
            
    Statutory Combined Ratios     
    Commercial lines:      
    Automobile107.0% 111.9% 98.7% 106.7%
    Workers' compensation105.9  109.0  93.9  96.0 
    Commercial multi-peril125.0  116.9  114.9  106.5 
    Other85.9  64.0  81.9  67.2 
    Total commercial lines112.1  109.4  102.4  101.1 
    Personal lines:      
    Automobile103.1  102.0  100.2  95.4 
    Homeowners125.0  117.5  118.8  107.4 
    Other54.6  65.4  49.9  72.2 
    Total personal lines107.8  105.2  103.4  98.2 
    Total lines110.1% 107.7% 102.8% 100.0%
            

    Loss Ratio

    For the third quarter of 2022, the loss ratio increased to 75.6%, compared to 75.5% for the third quarter of 2021. Weather-related losses of approximately $19.4 million, or 9.4 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2022, increased from $18.0 million, or 9.2 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2021. The impact of weather-related loss activity to the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2022 was in line with our previous five-year average of 9.4 percentage points for third quarter weather-related losses. We expect a minimal loss impact from the inland remnants of Hurricane Ian in late September 2022.

    Large fire losses, which we define as individual fire losses in excess of $50,000, for the third quarter of 2022 were $17.4 million, or 8.4 percentage points of the loss ratio. That amount represented a significant increase compared to the large fire losses of $12.7 million, or 6.5 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2021. We experienced a $4.8 million increase in commercial property fire losses compared to the prior-year quarter.

    Net favorable development of reserves for losses incurred in prior accident years of $6.2 million decreased the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2022 by 3.0 percentage points, compared to $4.3 million that decreased the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2021 by 2.2 percentage points. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced favorable development primarily relating to reserves for accident years 2021 and 2020 in the commercial multi-peril, commercial automobile and personal automobile lines of business.

    Expense Ratio

    The expense ratio was 33.4% for the third quarter of 2022, compared to 31.5% for the third quarter of 2021. The increase in the expense ratio primarily reflected higher technology costs related to our ongoing systems modernization initiatives.

    Investment Operations

    Donegal Group’s investment strategy is to generate an appropriate amount of after-tax income on its invested assets while minimizing credit risk through investment in high-quality securities. As a result, we had invested 93.5% of our consolidated investment portfolio in diversified, highly rated and marketable fixed-maturity securities at September 30, 2022.

     September 30, 2022 December 31, 2021
     Amount % Amount %
     (dollars in thousands)
    Fixed maturities, at carrying value:     
    U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.   
        government corporations and agencies$146,782  11.5% $121,453  9.5%
    Obligations of states and political subdivisions 433,740  33.9   428,814  33.6 
    Corporate securities 400,811  31.3   412,758  32.3 
    Mortgage-backed securities 215,955  16.8   237,709  18.6 
    Total fixed maturities 1,197,288  93.5   1,200,734  94.0 
    Equity securities, at fair value 46,776  3.6   63,420  5.0 
    Short-term investments, at cost 36,660  2.9   12,692  1.0 
    Total investments$1,280,724  100.0% $1,276,846  100.0%
            
    Average investment yield 2.6%    2.5%  
    Average tax-equivalent investment yield 2.7%    2.6%  
    Average fixed-maturity duration (years) 6.1     4.7   
            

    Total investments at September 30, 2022 increased by $3.9 million compared to December 31, 2021, as new funds invested were largely offset by $64.0 million of unrealized losses within our available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio due to a substantial increase in market interest rates during the first nine months of 2022.

    Net investment income of $8.6 million for the third quarter of 2022 increased 10.4% compared to $7.8 million in net investment income for the third quarter of 2021. The increase in net investment income reflected an increase in average invested assets and an increase in the average investment yield relative to the prior-year third quarter.

    Net investment losses were $2.4 million for the third quarter of 2022, compared to $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2021. Net investment losses for both quarterly periods were primarily related to the net change in unrealized gains or losses in the fair value of equity securities held at the end of the respective periods.

    Our book value per share was $14.85 at September 30, 2022, compared to $16.95 at December 31, 2021, with the decrease primarily related to after-tax unrealized losses within our available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio during the first nine months of 2022 that reduced our book value by $1.55 per share.

    Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    We prepare our consolidated financial statements on the basis of GAAP. Our insurance subsidiaries also prepare financial statements based on statutory accounting principles state insurance regulators prescribe or permit (“SAP”). In addition to using GAAP-based performance measurements, we also utilize certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide value in managing our business and for comparison to the financial results of our peers. These non-GAAP measures are net premiums written, operating income or loss and statutory combined ratio.

    Net premiums written and operating income or loss are non-GAAP financial measures investors in insurance companies commonly use. We define net premiums written as the amount of full-term premiums our insurance subsidiaries record for policies effective within a given period less premiums our insurance subsidiaries cede to reinsurers. We define operating income or loss as net income or loss excluding after-tax net investment gains or losses, after-tax restructuring charges and other significant non-recurring items. Because our calculation of operating income or loss may differ from similar measures other companies use, investors should exercise caution when comparing our measure of operating income or loss to the measure of other companies.

    The following table provides a reconciliation of net premiums earned to net premiums written for the periods indicated:

     Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2022  2021 % Change  2022  2021 % Change
     (dollars in thousands)
                
    Reconciliation of Net Premiums        
    Earned to Net Premiums Written        
    Net premiums earned$206,122 $196,235 5.0% $609,499 $575,975 5.8%
    Change in net unearned premiums 107  780 -86.3   33,618  46,507 -27.7 
    Net premiums written$206,229 $197,015 4.7% $643,117 $622,482 3.3%
                

    The following table provides a reconciliation of net (loss) income to operating (loss) income for the periods indicated:

     Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
           
     2022  2021  % Change  2022  2021 % Change
     (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
       
                    
    Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income               
    to Non-GAAP Operating (Loss) Income               
    Net (loss) income $(10,376) $(6,712) 54.6% $(5,439) $19,982 NM
    Investment losses (gains) (after tax)1,863  1,241  50.1  8,541  (4,060)NM
    Non-GAAP operating (loss) income$(8,513) $(5,471) 55.6% $3,102  $15,922 -80.5%
                    
    Per Share Reconciliation of Net (loss) Income               
    to Non-GAAP Operating (Loss) Income               
    Net (loss) income – Class A (diluted)$(0.33) $(0.22) 50.0% $(0.17) $0.66 NM
    Investment losses (gains) (after tax)0.06  0.04  50.0  0.27  (0.14)NM
    Non-GAAP operating (loss) income – Class A$(0.27) $(0.18) 50.0% $0.10  $0.52 -80.8%
                    
    Net (loss) income – Class B$(0.30) $(0.20) 50.0% $(0.16) $0.59 NM
    Investment losses (gains) (after tax)0.05  0.04  25.0  0.24  (0.12)NM
    Non-GAAP operating (loss) income – Class B$(0.25) $(0.16) 56.3% $0.08  $0.47 -83.0%
                    
                    

    The statutory combined ratio is a non-GAAP standard measurement of underwriting profitability that is based upon amounts determined under SAP. The statutory combined ratio is the sum of:

    • the statutory loss ratio, which is the ratio of calendar-year incurred losses and loss expenses, excluding anticipated salvage and subrogation recoveries, to premiums earned;
    • the statutory expense ratio, which is the ratio of expenses incurred for net commissions, premium taxes and underwriting expenses to premiums written; and
    • the statutory dividend ratio, which is the ratio of dividends to holders of workers’ compensation policies to premiums earned.

    The statutory combined ratio does not reflect investment income, federal income taxes or other non-operating income or expense. A statutory combined ratio of less than 100% generally indicates underwriting profitability.

    Dividend Information

    On October 20, 2022, we declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.165 per share for our Class A common stock and $0.1475 per share for our Class B common stock, which are payable on November 15, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 1, 2022.

    Pre-Recorded Webcast

    At approximately 8:30 am EDT on Thursday, October 27, 2022, we will make available in the Investors section of our website a pre-recorded audio webcast featuring management commentary and a question and answer session. You may listen to the pre-recorded webcast by accessing the link on our website at http://investors.donegalgroup.com. A supplemental investor presentation is also available via our website.

    About the Company

    Donegal Group Inc. is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer property and casualty lines of insurance in certain Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, New England, Southern and Southwestern states. Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group Inc. conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group. The Donegal Insurance Group has an A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent).

    The Class A common stock and Class B common stock of Donegal Group Inc. trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols DGICA and DGICB, respectively. We are focused on several primary strategies, including achieving sustained excellent financial performance, strategically modernizing our operations and processes to transform our business, capitalizing on opportunities to grow profitably and delivering a superior experience to our agents and customers.

    Safe Harbor

    We base all statements contained in this release that are not historic facts on our current expectations. Such statements are forward-looking in nature (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and necessarily involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements we make may be identified by our use of words such as “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate” and similar expressions. Our actual results could vary materially from our forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause our actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking statements we have previously made include, but are not limited to, prolonged economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse litigation and other trends that could increase our loss costs (including labor shortages and escalating medical, automobile and property repair costs), adverse and catastrophic weather events, our ability to maintain profitable operations (including our ability to underwrite risks effectively and charge adequate premium rates), the adequacy of the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries, the availability and successful operation of the information technology systems our insurance subsidiaries utilize, the successful development of new information technology systems to allow our insurance subsidiaries to compete effectively, business and economic conditions in the areas in which we and our insurance subsidiaries operate, interest rates, competition from various insurance and other financial businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, legal and judicial developments including those related to COVID-19 business interruption coverage exclusions, changes in regulatory requirements, our ability to attract and retain independent insurance agents, changes in our A.M. Best rating and the other risks that we describe from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that we may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

    Investor Relations Contacts

    Karin Daly, Vice President, The Equity Group Inc.
    Phone: (212) 836-9623
    E-mail: kdaly@equityny.com

    Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
    Phone: (717) 426-1931
    E-mail: investors@donegalgroup.com


    Financial Supplement

    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Loss
    (unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
          
       Quarter Ended September 30,
        2022   2021 
          
    Net premiums earned$206,122  $196,235 
    Investment income, net of expenses 8,569   7,764 
    Net investment losses (2,358)  (1,570)
    Lease income 92   108 
    Installment payment fees 414   569 
     Total revenues 212,839   203,106 
          
    Net losses and loss expenses 155,754   148,142 
    Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 35,513   31,778 
    Other underwriting expenses 33,412   30,102 
    Policyholder dividends 1,239   1,287 
    Interest  71   210 
    Other expenses, net 219   217 
     Total expenses 226,208   211,736 
          
    Loss before income tax benefit (13,369)  (8,630)
    Income tax benefit (2,993)  (1,918)
          
    Net loss $(10,376) $(6,712)
          
    Loss per common share:   
     Class A - basic and diluted$(0.33) $(0.22)
     Class B - basic and diluted$(0.30) $(0.20)
          
    Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data   
          
    Weighted-average number of shares   
     outstanding:   
     Class A - basic 26,781,374   25,676,313 
     Class A - diluted 26,974,506   25,831,343 
     Class B - basic and diluted 5,576,775   5,576,775 
          
    Net premiums written$206,229  $197,015 
          
    Book value per common share at end of period$14.85  $17.21 
          


    Donegal Group Inc. 
    Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income 
    (unaudited; in thousands, except share data) 
           
      Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2022  2021
          
    Net premiums earned$         609,499  $         575,975
    Investment income, net of expenses             24,631               22,926
    Net investment (losses) gains            (10,811)                5,140
    Lease income                  295                    324
    Installment payment fees               1,162                 1,857
     Total revenues           624,776             606,222
          
    Net losses and loss expenses           415,246             381,319
    Amortization of deferred acquisition costs           104,867               95,060
    Other underwriting expenses           106,753             100,113
    Policyholder dividends               4,177                 4,211
    Interest                  464                    739
    Other expenses, net                  991                    962
     Total expenses           632,498             582,404
          
    (Loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense              (7,722)              23,818
    Income tax (benefit) expense              (2,283)                3,836
          
    Net (loss) income$            (5,439) $           19,982
          
    Net (loss) income per common share:    
     Class A - basic and diluted$              (0.17) $               0.66
     Class B - basic and diluted$              (0.16) $               0.59
          
    Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data    
          
    Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:    
     Class A - basic      26,216,215        25,265,448
     Class A - diluted      26,362,723        25,443,911
     Class B - basic and diluted        5,576,775          5,576,775
          
    Net premiums written$         643,117  $         622,482
          
    Book value per common share at end of period$             14.85  $             17.21
          


    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (in thousands)
          
       September 30,December 31,
        2022   2021 
       (unaudited)  
          
    ASSETS
    Investments:   
     Fixed maturities:   
      Held to maturity, at amortized cost$696,392  $668,105 
      Available for sale, at fair value 500,896   532,629 
     Equity securities, at fair value 46,776   63,420 
     Short-term investments, at cost 36,660   12,692 
      Total investments 1,280,724   1,276,846 
    Cash  26,661   57,709 
    Premiums receivable 181,745   168,863 
    Reinsurance receivable 451,847   455,411 
    Deferred policy acquisition costs 74,384   68,028 
    Prepaid reinsurance premiums 165,713   176,936 
    Receivable from Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association -   18,113 
    Other assets 55,778   33,269 
      Total assets$2,236,852  $2,255,175 
          
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Liabilities:   
     Losses and loss expenses$1,108,126  $1,077,620 
     Unearned premiums 595,353   572,958 
     Accrued expenses 4,311   4,029 
     Borrowings under lines of credit 35,000   35,000 
     Cash refunds due to Michigan policyholders -   18,113 
     Other liabilities 12,859   16,419 
      Total liabilities 1,755,649   1,724,139 
    Stockholders' equity:   
     Class A common stock 298   288 
     Class B common stock 56   56 
     Additional paid-in capital 321,364   304,889 
     Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (46,971)  3,284 
     Retained earnings 247,682   263,745 
     Treasury stock (41,226)  (41,226)
      Total stockholders' equity 481,203   531,036 
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$2,236,852  $2,255,175 
          

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