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AMERISAFE Announces 2021 Fourth Quarter and Year-end Results

Increases loss ratio as result of catastrophic claim

Reports $65.8 Million of Net Income and Return on Equity of 15.7% in 2021

Increases quarterly dividend by 6.9%

AMERISAFE, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMSF), a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on high hazard industries, today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2021.

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

% Change

 

2021

 

2020

 

% Change

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

$

67,733

 

$

74,702

 

-9.3

%

$

275,993

 

$

304,427

 

-9.3

%

Net investment income

 

6,073

 

 

7,228

 

-16.0

%

 

25,435

 

 

29,364

 

-13.4

%

Net realized gains (losses) on investments (pretax)

 

205

 

 

(332

)

NM

 

 

1,695

 

 

1,132

 

NM

 

Net unrealized gains on equity securities (pre-tax)

 

4,289

 

 

6,553

 

NM

 

 

12,315

 

 

4,204

 

NM

 

Net income

 

3,541

 

 

28,501

 

-87.6

%

 

65,756

 

 

86,602

 

-24.1

%

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.18

 

$

1.47

 

-87.8

%

$

3.39

 

$

4.47

 

-24.2

%

Operating net income

 

(9

)

 

23,586

 

-100.0

%

 

54,688

 

 

82,387

 

-33.6

%

Operating earnings per share

$

-

 

$

1.22

 

-100.0

%

$

2.82

 

$

4.25

 

-33.6

%

Book value per share

$

20.62

 

$

22.70

 

-9.2

%

$

20.62

 

$

22.70

 

-9.2

%

Net combined ratio

 

112.9

%

 

70.4

%

 

85.7

%

 

76.3

%

Return on average equity

 

3.2

%

 

24.8

%

 

15.7

%

 

19.9

%

G. Janelle Frost, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our specialty is underwriting and servicing high-hazard workers’ compensation and in 2021, our strength in those specialties counterbalanced slow economic growth, strong competition, declining rates, and a variety of pandemic-related uncertainties. We were responsive to the competitive environment, while applying disciplined pricing, and continued our long-held commitment to personalized claims management. Despite experiencing our first catastrophic claim, we are pleased to report a combined ratio of 85.7% and a return on average equity of 15.7% for 2021.”

INSURANCE RESULTS

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

% Change

 

2021

 

2020

 

% Change

(in thousands) (in thousands)
 
Gross premiums written

$

55,871

 

$

63,082

 

-11.4

%

$

278,294

 

$

303,090

 

-8.2

%

Net premiums earned

 

67,733

 

 

74,702

 

-9.3

%

 

275,993

 

 

304,427

 

-9.3

%

Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred

 

59,197

 

 

36,260

 

63.3

%

 

160,798

 

 

157,226

 

2.3

%

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

 

16,714

 

 

15,589

 

7.2

%

 

72,051

 

 

71,906

 

0.2

%

Policyholder dividends

 

515

 

 

768

 

-32.9

%

 

3,715

 

 

3,453

 

7.6

%

Underwriting profit (pre-tax)

$

(8,693

)

$

22,085

 

-139.4

%

$

39,429

 

$

71,842

 

-45.1

%

 
Insurance Ratios:
Current accident year loss ratio

 

107.4

%

 

72.5

%

 

80.7

%

 

72.5

%

Prior accident year loss ratio

 

-20.0

%

 

-24.0

%

 

-22.4

%

 

-20.9

%

Net loss ratio

 

87.4

%

 

48.5

%

 

58.3

%

 

51.6

%

Net underwriting expense ratio

 

24.7

%

 

20.9

%

 

26.1

%

 

23.6

%

Net dividend ratio

 

0.8

%

 

1.0

%

 

1.3

%

 

1.1

%

Net combined ratio

 

112.9

%

 

70.4

%

 

85.7

%

 

76.3

%

  • Voluntary premiums on policies written in the quarter were 9.4% lower than the fourth quarter of 2020, primarily due to continued declines in approved loss costs in the states in which we write business. For the full year, voluntary premiums decreased by 6.3%.
  • Payroll audits and related premium adjustments increased premiums written by $0.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. For the full year 2021, audits and related premium adjustments reduced premiums by $1.2 million, compared to an increase in premiums of $6.4 million in 2020.
  • As a result of information just developed on a fourth quarter catastrophic claim, the Company increased its accident year loss ratio from 72.0% to 80.7% for the full year. This claim involved several individuals who were severely injured in the same incident. The Company’s catastrophic reinsurance program covers amounts up to $10 million per individual, but amounts greater than $10 million per individual are retained by the Company. As a result, AMERISAFE has increased its net estimate after reinsurance for this loss by $24 million and has increased its net accident year loss ratio. As with all AMERISAFE claims, this reserve will be evaluated periodically as the claim develops. This is the first catastrophic claim on the Company’s catastrophe reinsurance layer in our history.
  • During the quarter, the Company experienced favorable net loss reserve development for prior accident years, which reduced loss and loss adjustment expenses by $13.6 million, primarily from accident years 2019 through 2016. For the full year, the company experienced favorable development on prior accident years of $61.9 million, compared with $63.5 million in 2020. The Company currently is estimating that its current accident year loss ratio will be 71.0% for 2022.
  • For the quarter ended December 31, 2021, the underwriting expense ratio was 24.7% compared with 20.9% in the same quarter in 2020, as a result of lower earned premium, increased bad debt from NCCI pools and increased loss- based assessments. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the underwriting expense ratio was 26.1%, compared with 23.6% in 2020, largely due to lower earned premium as underwriting and other expenses for the full year were largely unchanged.
  • The effective tax rate for the full year 2021 was 17.2% compared with 19.0% for 2020. The rate was lower than last year due to an increase in the proportion of tax-exempt interest income relative to underwriting profit and also due to a reduction in a valuation allowance on deferred state tax assets.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

% Change

 

2021

 

2020

 

% Change

(in thousands) (in thousands)
Net investment income

$

6,073

 

$

7,228

 

-16.0

%

$

25,435

 

$

29,364

 

-13.4

%

Net realized gains (losses) on
investments (pre-tax)

 

205

 

 

(332

)

NM

 

 

1,695

 

 

1,132

 

NM

 

Net unrealized gains on
equity securities (pre-tax)

 

4,289

 

 

6,553

 

NM

 

 

12,315

 

 

4,204

 

NM

 

Pre-tax investment yield

 

2.2

%

 

2.4

%

 

2.3

%

 

2.5

%

Tax-equivalent yield (1)

 

2.7

%

 

2.9

%

 

2.7

%

 

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 December 31, 2021, decreased 16.0% to $6.1 million from $7.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, due to lower interest rates on fixed income securities. For the full year 2021, net investment income was $25.4 million compared with $29.4 million for 2020, a decrease of 13.4%, due to lower yields on fixed income securities.
  • Net unrealized gains on equity securities were $4.3 million in the fourth quarter and $12.3 million for the full year 2021.
  • As of December 31, 2021, the carrying value of AMERISAFE’s investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, was $1.1 billion.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

In an accompanying announcement, the Company’s Board of Directors increased the regular quarterly dividend by 6.9% from $0.29 per share to $0.31 per share, payable on March 25, 2022 to shareholders of record as of March 11, 2022.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Three Months Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

 

December 31,

2021

 

2020

 

2021

 

2020

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

$

3,541

 

$

28,501

 

$

65,756

 

$

86,602

 

Less:
Net realized gains (losses) on investments

 

205

 

 

(332

)

 

1,695

 

 

1,132

 

Net unrealized gains on equity securities

 

4,289

 

 

6,553

 

 

12,315

 

 

4,204

 

Tax effect (1)

 

(944

)

 

(1,306

)

 

(2,942

)

 

(1,121

)

Operating net income (2)

$

(9

)

$

23,586

 

$

54,688

 

$

82,387

 

 
Average shareholders’ equity (3)

$

439,740

 

$

460,363

 

$

419,070

 

$

434,516

 

Less:
Average accumulated other comprehensive income

 

14,262

 

 

20,466

 

 

17,278

 

 

16,615

 

Average adjusted shareholders’ equity (2)

$

425,478

 

$

439,897

 

$

401,792

 

$

417,901

 

 
Diluted weighted average common shares

 

19,420,757

 

 

19,380,109

 

 

19,408,619

 

 

19,363,809

 

 
Return on average equity (4)

 

3.2

%

 

24.8

%

 

15.7

%

 

19.9

%

Operating return on average adjusted equity (2)

 

0.0

%

 

21.4

%

 

13.6

%

 

19.7

%

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.18

 

$

1.47

 

$

3.39

 

$

4.47

 

Operating earnings per share (2)

$

-

 

$

1.22

 

$

2.82

 

$

4.25

 

________________________________

(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 February 23, 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 773-305-6853 (Conference Code 7786013) 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 the “Investor Relations Home” page of the “Investors” section of the Company’s website (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 the same website location.

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, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business and operations of the Company and our policyholders and the market value of our investment portfolio. Additional 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. 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 Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

 

December 31,

2021

 

2020

 

2021

 

2020

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

Revenues:
Gross premiums written

$

55,871

 

$

63,082

 

$

278,294

 

$

303,090

 

Ceded premiums written

 

(3,059

)

 

(2,348

)

 

(10,469

)

 

(10,276

)

Net premiums written

$

52,812

 

$

60,734

 

$

267,825

 

$

292,814

 

 
Net premiums earned

$

67,733

 

$

74,702

 

$

275,993

 

$

304,427

 

Net investment income

 

6,073

 

 

7,228

 

 

25,435

 

 

29,364

 

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

 

205

 

 

(332

)

 

1,695

 

 

1,132

 

Net unrealized gains on equity securities

 

4,289

 

 

6,553

 

 

12,315

 

 

4,204

 

Fee and other income

 

81

 

 

70

 

 

496

 

 

350

 

Total revenues

 

78,381

 

 

88,221

 

 

315,934

 

 

339,477

 

 
Expenses:
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred

 

59,197

 

 

36,260

 

 

160,798

 

 

157,226

 

Underwriting and other operating costs

 

16,714

 

 

15,589

 

 

72,051

 

 

71,906

 

Policyholder dividends

 

515

 

 

768

 

 

3,715

 

 

3,453

 

Provision for investment related credit loss
expense (benefit)

 

23

 

 

(14

)

 

(79

)

 

(27

)

Total expenses

 

76,449

 

 

52,603

 

 

236,485

 

 

232,558

 

 
Income before taxes

 

1,932

 

 

35,618

 

 

79,449

 

 

106,919

 

Income tax expense

 

(1,609

)

 

7,117

 

 

13,693

 

 

20,317

 

Net income

$

3,541

 

$

28,501

 

$

65,756

 

$

86,602

 

 
 

AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income (cont.)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

2021

 

2020

 

2021

 

2020

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

Basic EPS:
Net income

$

3,541

 

$

28,501

 

$

65,756

 

$

86,602

 

 
Basic weighted average common shares

 

19,345,324

 

 

19,309,055

 

 

19,332,391

 

 

19,288,996

 

Basic earnings per share

$

0.18

 

$

1.48

 

$

3.40

 

$

4.49

 

 
Diluted EPS:
Net income

$

3,541

 

$

28,501

 

$

65,756

 

$

86,602

 

 
Diluted weighted average common shares:
Weighted average common shares

 

19,345,324

 

 

19,309,055

 

 

19,332,391

 

 

19,288,996

 

Restricted stock and stock options

 

75,433

 

 

71,054

 

 

76,228

 

 

74,813

 

Diluted weighted average common shares

 

19,420,757

 

 

19,380,109

 

 

19,408,619

 

 

19,363,809

 

 
Diluted earnings per share

$

0.18

 

$

1.47

 

$

3.39

 

$

4.47

 

AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

2021

 

2020

(unaudited)
Assets
Investments

$

1,012,571

$

1,088,744

Cash and cash equivalents

 

70,722

 

61,757

Amounts recoverable from reinsurers

 

120,561

 

105,803

Premiums receivable, net

 

135,100

 

156,760

Deferred income taxes

 

14,384

 

13,665

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

17,059

 

17,810

Other assets

 

32,327

 

26,316

$

1,402,724

$

1,470,855

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

$

745,278

$

760,561

Unearned premiums

 

121,092

 

129,260

Insurance-related assessments

 

16,850

 

17,995

Other liabilities

 

120,181

 

124,223

 
Shareholders’ equity

 

399,323

 

438,816

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

1,402,724

$

1,470,855

 

Contacts

Neal A. Fuller, EVP & CFO

AMERISAFE

337.463.9052

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