• Donegal Group Inc. Announces Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2024 Results

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 24 Oct 2024 06:30:00   America/New_York

    MARIETTA, Pa., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Donegal Group Inc. (NASDAQ: DGICA) and (NASDAQ: DGICB) today reported its financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024.

    Significant Items for third quarter of 2024 (all comparisons to third quarter of 2023):

    • Net income of $16.8 million, or 51 cents per diluted Class A share, compared to net loss of $0.8 million, or 2 cents per Class A share
    • Net premiums earned increased 6.0% to $238.0 million
    • Net premiums written1 increased 5.9% to $232.2 million
    • Combined ratio of 96.4%, compared to 104.5%
    • Net income included after-tax net investment gains of $1.5 million, or 5 cents per diluted Class A share, compared to after-tax net investment losses of $1.0 million, or 3 cents per Class A share
    • Book value per share of $15.22 at September 30, 2024, compared to $14.26

    Financial Summary

     Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023  % Change  2024   2023  % Change
     (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                
    Income Statement Data           
    Net premiums earned$237,957  $224,393  6.0% $700,017  $655,886  6.7%
    Investment income, net 10,827   10,536  2.8   32,868   30,143  9.0 
    Net investment gains (losses) 1,876   (1,243) NM2   4,725   930  408.1 
    Total revenues 251,738   233,928  7.6   739,651   687,870  7.5 
    Net income (loss) 16,752   (805) NM   26,860   6,396  319.9 
    Non-GAAP operating income1 15,270   176  NM   23,127   5,661  308.5 
    Annualized return on average equity 13.4%  -0.7% 14.1 pts  7.2%  1.8% 5.4 pts
                
    Per Share Data           
    Net income (loss) – Class A (diluted)$0.51  $(0.02) NM  $0.81  $0.20  305.0%
    Net income (loss) – Class B 0.46   (0.02) NM   0.74   0.17  335.3 
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class A (diluted) 0.46   0.01  NM   0.70   0.17  311.8 
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class B 0.42   -  NM   0.63   0.15  320.0 
    Book value 15.22   14.26  6.7%  15.22   14.26  6.7 
                

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

    2Not meaningful.


    Management Commentary

    “We are pleased that many of the strategic initiatives we implemented in recent years contributed to significant improvement in our financial results for the third quarter of 2024,” said Kevin G. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc.

    “With the exit from commercial lines markets in Georgia and Alabama essentially completed at the end of the second quarter of 2024, solid new business writings, rate achievement and retention levels led to a 6.4% increase in commercial lines net premiums written for the third quarter of 2024. Our personal lines net premiums written growth rate for the third quarter was 5.4%, primarily attributable to strong rate increases and policy retention that were partially offset by intentional strategic actions to slow growth and further improve profitability.

    “Despite higher-than-average weather-related losses during the quarter, primarily attributable to Hurricane Helene in late September, our combined ratio improved significantly to 96.4%, compared to 104.5% for the prior-year quarter. Our core loss ratios improved across all of our major lines of business. We attribute that improvement to the favorable impact of numerous ongoing underwriting initiatives and higher net premiums earned from renewal rate increases that we implemented over the past two years.”

    Mr, Burke concluded, “We have growing confidence that the continuing execution of our strategies will deliver sustained excellent financial performance.”

    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), five Southern states (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia), eight Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin) and five Southwestern states (Arizona, 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,
      2024  2023 % Change  2024  2023 % Change
     (dollars in thousands)
                
    Net Premiums Earned           
    Commercial lines$136,401 $135,432 0.7% $402,982 $399,427 0.9%
    Personal lines 101,556  88,961 14.2   297,035  256,460 15.8 
    Total net premiums earned$237,957 $224,393 6.0% $700,017 $655,887 6.7%
                
    Net Premiums Written           
    Commercial lines:           
    Automobile$41,464 $37,535 10.5% $142,067 $134,853 5.3%
    Workers' compensation 23,934  24,371 -1.8   82,599  85,315 -3.2 
    Commercial multi-peril 50,155  44,949 11.6   163,528  147,622 10.8 
    Other 10,548  11,639 -9.4   35,649  39,913 -10.7 
    Total commercial lines 126,101  118,494 6.4   423,843  407,703 4.0 
    Personal lines:           
    Automobile 65,150  58,038 12.3   188,958  161,348 17.1 
    Homeowners 38,288  39,633 -3.4   109,655  105,035 4.4 
    Other 2,669  3,021 -11.7   8,383  8,917 -6.0 
    Total personal lines 106,107  100,692 5.4   306,996  275,300 11.5 
    Total net premiums written$232,208 $219,186 5.9% $730,839 $683,003 7.0%
                
                

    Net Premiums Written

    The 5.9% increase in net premiums written for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023, as shown in the table above, represents the combination of 6.4% growth in commercial lines net premiums written and 5.4% growth in personal lines net premiums written. The $13.0 million increase in net premiums written for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 included:

    • Commercial Lines: $7.6 million increase that we attribute primarily to 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 states in which we are executing ongoing profit improvement initiatives as part of our state-specific strategies.
    • Personal Lines: $5.4 million increase that we attribute primarily to a continuation of renewal premium rate increases and strong policy retention, offset partially by planned attrition due to non-renewal actions.

    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, 2024 and 2023:

     Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
     September 30, September 30,
     2024  2023  2024  2023 
            
    GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines)       
    Loss ratio - core losses50.1% 56.7% 54.5% 56.0%
    Loss ratio - weather-related losses10.3  11.5  8.6  9.1 
    Loss ratio - large fire losses3.7  4.9  5.2  5.3 
    Loss ratio - net prior-year reserve development-2.6  -3.3  -2.2  -2.4 
    Loss ratio61.5  69.8  66.1  68.0 
    Expense ratio34.5  34.1  34.0  34.9 
    Dividend ratio0.4  0.6  0.5  0.6 
    Combined ratio96.4% 104.5% 100.6% 103.5%
            
    Statutory Combined Ratios       
    Commercial lines:       
    Automobile101.5% 86.5% 98.2% 94.8%
    Workers' compensation84.7  97.7  104.1  93.1 
    Commercial multi-peril88.4  114.8  100.4  113.8 
    Other59.4  76.2  78.4  82.7 
    Total commercial lines89.8  97.5  98.6  100.2 
    Personal lines:       
    Automobile97.8  109.8  97.8  106.1 
    Homeowners116.8  128.9  107.5  111.2 
    Other102.2  46.4  97.2  81.3 
    Total personal lines104.7  119.4  101.2  107.2 
    Total lines96.0% 105.2% 99.7% 102.9%
            
            

    Loss Ratio

    For the third quarter of 2024, the loss ratio decreased to 61.5%, compared to 69.8% for the third quarter of 2023. For the commercial lines segment, the core loss ratio of 48.5% for the third quarter of 2024 decreased from 53.7% for the third quarter of 2023, due largely to lower severity of large casualty losses. For the personal lines segment, the core loss ratio of 52.5% for the third quarter of 2024 decreased from 61.8% for the third quarter of 2023, due largely to the favorable impact of premium rate increases on net premiums earned for that segment. Core loss ratios in both segments improved compared to the respective ratios for the first half of 2024.

    Weather-related losses were $24.4 million, or 10.3 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $25.7 million, or 11.5 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2023. Weather-related loss activity for the third quarter of 2024 was higher than our previous five-year average of $18.8 million, or 9.4 percentage points of the loss ratio, for third-quarter weather-related losses. Our insurance subsidiaries incurred $6.0 million in net losses from Hurricane Helene in September 2024.

    Large fire losses, which we define as individual fire losses in excess of $50,000, for the third quarter of 2024 were $8.8 million, or 3.7 percentage points of the loss ratio. That amount was lower than large fire losses of $11.0 million, or 4.9 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2023. We experienced a decrease 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 2024 by 2.6 percentage points, compared to $7.3 million that decreased the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2023 by 3.3 percentage points. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced favorable development primarily in the commercial multi-peril and other commercial lines of business.

    Expense Ratio

    The expense ratio was 34.5% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 34.1% for the third quarter of 2023. The modest increase in the expense ratio primarily reflected an increase in underwriting-based incentive costs as well as higher technology systems-related expenses that were primarily due to increased costs related to our ongoing systems modernization project, a portion of which Donegal Mutual Insurance Company allocates to our insurance subsidiaries. This increase was offset partially by impacts of various expense reduction initiatives, including agency incentive program revisions, commission schedule adjustments, targeted staffing reductions, and hiring restrictions for open employment positions, among others. We expect the impact from allocated costs from Donegal Mutual Insurance Company to our insurance subsidiaries related to the ongoing systems modernization project will peak at approximately 1.3 percentage points of the expense ratio for the full year of 2024 before beginning to subside gradually in subsequent years.

    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 96.2% of our consolidated investment portfolio in diversified, highly rated and marketable fixed-maturity securities at September 30, 2024.

     September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
     Amount % Amount %
     (dollars in thousands)
    Fixed maturities, at carrying value:       
    U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies$173,663  12.7% $176,991  13.3%
    Obligations of states and political subdivisions 413,040  30.1   415,280  31.3 
    Corporate securities 427,372  31.2   399,640  30.1 
    Mortgage-backed securities 304,911  22.3   278,260  21.0 
    Allowance for expected credit losses (1,483) -0.1   (1,326) -0.1 
    Total fixed maturities 1,317,503  96.2   1,268,845  95.6 
    Equity securities, at fair value 35,957  2.6   25,903  2.0 
    Short-term investments, at cost 15,805  1.2   32,306  2.4 
    Total investments$1,369,265  100.0% $1,327,054  100.0%
            
    Average investment yield 3.3%    3.1%  
    Average tax-equivalent investment yield 3.3%    3.2%  
    Average fixed-maturity duration (years) 5.1     4.3   
            
            

    Net investment income of $10.8 million for the third quarter of 2024 increased modestly compared to $10.5 million for the third quarter of 2023. The increase in net investment income primarily reflected an increase in average investment yield relative to the prior-year third quarter.

    Net investment gains of $1.9 million for the third quarter of 2024 were primarily related to unrealized gains in the fair value of equity securities held at September 30, 2024. Net investment losses of $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2023 were primarily related to unrealized losses in the fair value of equity securities held at September 30, 2023.

    Our book value per share was $15.22 at September 30, 2024, compared to $14.39 at December 31, 2023, with the increase related to net income as well as $11.9 million of after-tax unrealized gains within our available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio during 2024 that increased our book value by $0.37 per share, offset partially by cash dividends declared.

    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,
      2024   2023  % Change  2024  2023 % Change
     (dollars in thousands)
                
    Reconciliation of Net Premiums           
    Earned to Net Premiums Written           
    Net premiums earned$237,957  $224,393  6.0% $700,017 $655,886 6.7%
    Change in net unearned premiums (5,749)  (5,207) 10.4   30,822  27,117 13.7 
    Net premiums written$232,208  $219,186  5.9% $730,839 $683,003 7.0%
                
                

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

     Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023  % Change  2024   2023  % Change
     (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                
    Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss)           
    to Non-GAAP Operating Income           
    Net income (loss)$16,752  $(805) NM $26,860  $6,396  319.9%
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax) (1,482)  981  NM  (3,733)  (735) 407.9 
    Non-GAAP operating income$15,270  $176  NM $23,127  $5,661  308.5%
                
    Per Share Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss)           
    to Non-GAAP Operating Income            
    Net income (loss) – Class A (diluted)$0.51  $(0.02) NM $0.81  $0.20  305.0%
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax) (0.05)  0.03  NM  (0.11)  (0.03) 266.7 
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class A$0.46  $0.01  NM $0.70  $0.17  311.8%
                
    Net income (loss) – Class B$0.46  $(0.02) NM $0.74  $0.17  335.3%
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax) (0.04)  0.02  NM  (0.11)  (0.02) 450.0 
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class B$0.42  $-  NM $0.63  $0.15  320.0%
                
                

    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 17, 2024, we declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.1725 per share for our Class A common stock and $0.155 per share for our Class B common stock, which are payable on November 15, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 1, 2024.

    Pre-Recorded Webcast

    At approximately 8:30 am ET on Thursday, October 24, 2024, we will make available in the Investors section of our website a pre-recorded audio webcast featuring management commentary on our quarterly results and general business updates. 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, 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, adverse litigation and other trends that could increase our loss costs (including social inflation, labor shortages and escalating medical, automobile and property repair costs), adverse and catastrophic weather events (including from changing climate conditions), 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 Income (Loss)
    (unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
          
       Quarter Ended September 30,
        2024  2023 
          
    Net premiums earned$237,957 $224,393 
    Investment income, net of expenses 10,827  10,536 
    Net investment gains (losses) 1,876  (1,243)
    Lease income  77  86 
    Installment payment fees 1,001  156 
     Total revenues 251,738  233,928 
          
    Net losses and loss expenses 146,426  156,683 
    Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 40,200  39,332 
    Other underwriting expenses 41,827  37,155 
    Policyholder dividends 1,007  1,399 
    Interest  367  156 
    Other expenses, net  1,499  208 
     Total expenses 231,326  234,933 
          
    Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) 20,412  (1,005)
    Income tax expense (benefit) 3,660  (200)
          
    Net income (loss) $16,752 $(805)
          
    Net income (loss) per common share:   
     Class A - basic and diluted$0.51 $(0.02)
     Class B - basic and diluted$0.46 $(0.02)
          
    Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data   
          
    Weighted-average number of shares   
     outstanding:   
     Class A - basic 27,978,435  27,594,973 
     Class A - diluted 28,058,399  27,665,293 
     Class B - basic and diluted 5,576,775  5,576,775 
          
    Net premiums written$232,208 $219,186 
          
    Book value per common share   
     at end of period$15.22 $14.26 
          


    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
          
       Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024  2023
          
    Net premiums earned$700,017 $655,886
    Investment income, net of expenses 32,868  30,143
    Net investment gains 4,725  930
    Lease income  237  262
    Installment payment fees 1,804  649
     Total revenues 739,651  687,870
          
    Net losses and loss expenses 462,683  446,024
    Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 120,458  115,065
    Other underwriting expenses 117,604  113,715
    Policyholder dividends 3,248  4,088
    Interest  677  464
    Other expenses, net  2,309  969
     Total expenses 706,979  680,325
          
    Income before income tax expense 32,672  7,545
    Income tax expense  5,812  1,149
          
    Net income $26,860 $6,396
          
    Net income per common share:   
     Class A - basic$0.82 $0.20
     Class A - diluted$0.81 $0.20
     Class B - basic and diluted$0.74 $0.17
          
    Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data   
          
    Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:   
     Class A - basic 27,878,552  27,390,883
     Class A - diluted 27,916,904  27,507,706
     Class B - basic and diluted 5,576,775  5,576,775
          
    Net premiums written$730,839 $683,003
          
    Book value per common share   
     at end of period$15.22 $14.26


     
    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (in thousands)
          
       September 30, December 31,
        2024   2023 
       (unaudited)  
          
    ASSETS
    Investments:   
     Fixed maturities:   
      Held to maturity, at amortized cost$694,663  $679,497 
      Available for sale, at fair value 622,840   589,348 
     Equity securities, at fair value 35,957   25,903 
     Short-term investments, at cost 15,805   32,306 
      Total investments 1,369,265   1,327,054 
    Cash 28,651   23,792 
    Premiums receivable 194,254   179,592 
    Reinsurance receivable 434,078   441,431 
    Deferred policy acquisition costs 78,484   75,043 
    Prepaid reinsurance premiums 185,364   168,724 
    Other assets 56,030   50,658 
      Total assets$2,346,126  $2,266,294 
          
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Liabilities:   
     Losses and loss expenses$1,134,853  $1,126,157 
     Unearned premiums 646,870   599,411 
     Accrued expenses 2,987   3,947 
     Borrowings under lines of credit 35,000   35,000 
     Other liabilities 13,046   22,034 
      Total liabilities 1,832,756   1,786,549 
    Stockholders' equity:   
     Class A common stock 312   308 
     Class B common stock 56   56 
     Additional paid-in capital 342,186   335,694 
     Accumulated other comprehensive loss (20,951)  (32,882)
     Retained earnings 232,993   217,795 
     Treasury stock (41,226)  (41,226)
      Total stockholders' equity 513,370   479,745 
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$2,346,126  $2,266,294 
          

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