TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 03, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HCI Group, Inc. (NYSE:HCI) reported results today for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Third Quarter 2015 - Financial Results

Income available to common stockholders in the third quarter of 2015 totaled $7.4 million, or $0.71 diluted earnings per common share, compared with $14.1 million, or $1.23 diluted earnings per common share in the third quarter of 2014.

Gross premiums earned in the third quarter of 2015 increased 16.7% to $103.8 million from $88.9 million in the same period in 2014. The increase was primarily due to the assumption of approximately 6,000 homeowners multi-peril policies and approximately 30,000 wind-only policies from Florida’s state sponsored Citizens Property Insurance Corporation in December 2014 and 4,000 primarily homeowners multi-peril policies from Citizens in February 2015.

Premiums ceded in the third quarter of 2015 were $41.1 million, or 39.6% of gross premiums earned, compared with $27.7 million, or 31.1% of gross premiums earned during the same period in 2014. The quarter over quarter increase is primarily due to higher rates implemented by the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund and an overall increase in units of reinsurance purchased for the 2015/16 reinsurance program.

Net premiums earned (defined as gross premiums earned less premiums ceded to reinsurance companies) in the third quarter of 2015 increased 2.5% to $62.8 million from $61.3 million in the same period in 2014.

Investment related losses during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 totaled $0.8 million. In addition, the company recognized a net non-cash charge of $1.9 million due to declines in the fair value of securities owned by the company determined to be other than temporary. The losses are primarily due to material market declines and volatility that occurred during the quarter.  This loss compares with $4.5 million in investment related income in the third quarter of 2014, which included $3.3 million of net realized gains from investment sales.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses during the third quarter of 2015 were $26.2 million compared with $22.0 million in the same period in 2014. We experienced significant weather-related events during the current quarter, which contributed to an increase in the volume of reported claims and losses incurred when compared to the same period in 2014. We also experienced unfavorable development during the quarter attributable to the settlement and further development of older claims.

Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses in the third quarter of 2015 were $10.7 million compared with $10.0 million in the comparable period in 2014. The increase was primarily attributable to commissions and premium taxes related to the policies assumed in December 2014 from Citizens that have renewed and are included in 2015 premiums.

Salaries and wages during the third quarter of 2015 were $5.0 million compared with $4.4 million in the same period in 2014. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in headcount at the Tampa headquarters.

Other operating expenses, which include a variety of general and administrative expenses, totaled $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2015 compared with $5.2 million in the third quarter of 2014. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $1.0 million decrease in stock-based compensation expense.

Third Quarter 2015 - Financial Ratios

The loss ratio applicable to the three months ended September 30, 2015 (defined as losses and loss adjustment expenses related to net premiums earned) was 41.7% compared with 35.9% in the three months ended September 30, 2014. The increase is attributable to higher reinsurance costs, which impacted net premiums earned, combined with significant weather-related events as well as unfavorable development that increased losses and loss adjustment expenses during the quarter.

The expense ratio applicable to the three months ended September 30, 2015 (defined as underwriting expenses, salaries and wages, interest and other operating expenses related to net premiums earned) was 36.9% compared with 36.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Expressed as a total of all expenses in relation to net premiums earned, the combined loss and expense ratio to net premiums earned was 78.6% in the third quarter of 2015 compared with 72.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Nine months Ended September 30, 2015 - Financial Results

Income available to common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 totaled $54.8 million, or $4.84 diluted earnings per common share, compared with $48.1 million, or $4.07 diluted earnings per common share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Gross premiums earned for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased 17.2% to $321.2 million from $274.1 million in the same year-ago period.

Premiums ceded for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $100.3 million, or 31.2% of gross premiums earned, compared with $83.8 million, or 30.6% of the gross premiums earned, during the same period in 2014.

Net premiums earned for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased 16.1% to $220.9 million from $190.3 million in the same period in 2014.

Investment related income in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $2.1 million, which was offset by a $3.9 million non-cash charge for declines in the fair value of securities owned by the company determined to be other than temporary. This income amount compares with $8.2 million in investment related income in the nine months ended September 30, 2014, which included $4.5 million of net realized gains from investment sales.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were $65.8 million and $58.9 million respectively.

Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $30.9 million compared with $28.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Salaries and wages during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $15.2 million compared with $12.6 million in the same period in 2014.

Other operating expenses totaled $14.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared with $15.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Nine months Ended September 30, 2015 - Financial Ratios

The loss ratio applicable to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 29.8% compared with 31.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

The expense ratio applicable to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 30.9% compared with 34.1% in the same period in 2014.

Expressed as a total of all expenses related to net premiums earned, the combined loss and expense ratio to net premiums earned was 60.7% in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared with 65.1% in the same period in 2014.

Management Commentary

“Despite the heavy rains in parts of Florida during the third quarter, our geographically diversified book of homeowners’ insurance business was again able to produce profitable results,” said Paresh Patel, HCI Group’s chairman and chief executive officer. “As we look to the remainder of 2015 and beyond, our capital position allows us to patiently seek opportunities to add shareholder value.”  

Conference Call

HCI Group will hold a conference call later today (November 3, 2015) to discuss these financial results. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paresh Patel and Chief Financial Officer Richard Allen will host the call starting at 4:45 p.m. Eastern time. A question and answer session will follow management's presentation.

Interested parties can listen to the live presentation, which can be accessed by dialing the listen-only number below or by clicking the webcast link available on the Investor Information section of the company’s website at www.hcigroup.com.

Listen-only toll-free number: (877) 407-8033

Listen-only international number: (201) 689-8033
Conference ID: 13621747

Please call the conference telephone number 10 minutes before the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Liolios at (949) 574-3860.

A replay of the call will be available by telephone after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day as the call and via the Investor Information section of the HCI Group website at www.hcigroup.com through December 3, 2015.

Toll-free replay number: (877) 660-6853
International replay number: (201) 612-7415
Conference ID: 13621747

About HCI Group, Inc.

HCI Group, Inc. owns subsidiaries engaged in diverse, yet complementary business activities, including homeowners' insurance, reinsurance, real estate and information technology. The company's largest subsidiary, Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc., is a leading provider of property and casualty insurance in the state of Florida.

The company's common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "HCI" and are included in the Russell 2000 and S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Its 8% Senior Notes trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "HCJ." For more information about HCI Group, visit www.hcigroup.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “confident,” “prospects” and “project” and other similar words and expressions are intended to signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions but rather are subject to various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance, for example, that growth prospects and opportunities to add value will arise or that the company will capitalize on any such prospects or opportunities that do arise. Some of these risks and uncertainties are identified in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should any risks or uncertainties develop into actual events, these developments could have material adverse effects on the company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. HCI Group, Inc. disclaims all obligations to update any forward-looking statements.

-Tables to follow-

HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
		At September 30, 2015					At December 31, 2014
		(Unaudited)
Assets
Fixed-maturity securities, available for sale, at fair value
(amortized cost: $129,507 and $96,163, respectively)	$			127,104			97,084
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value
(cost: $54,743 and $45,387, respectively)				53,536			45,550
Limited partnership investments, at equity				22,162			2,550
Investment in joint venture, at equity				4,751			4,477
Real estate investments
(inclusive of $62 and $0 of consolidated variable interest entities, respectively)				25,663			19,138
Total investments				233,216			168,799
Cash and cash equivalents
(inclusive of $14 and $0 of consolidated variable interest entities, respectively)				331,542			314,416
Accrued interest and dividends receivable				1,505			1,059
Income taxes receivable				-			2,624
Premiums receivable				29,778			15,824
Prepaid reinsurance premiums				26,590			34,096
Deferred policy acquisition costs				23,532			15,014
Property and equipment, net				11,838			12,292
Deferred income taxes, net				6,421			2,499
Other assets
(inclusive of $70 and $0 of consolidated variable interest entities, respectively)				38,440			35,587
Total assets	$			702,862			602,210
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	$			57,217			48,908
Unearned premiums				235,033			214,071
Advance premiums				11,087			4,380
Assumed reinsurance balances payable				415			218
Accrued expenses				13,854			4,826
Income taxes payable				2,261			-
Long-term debt				131,647			129,539
Other liabilities				22,208			17,683
Total liabilities				473,722			419,625
Stockholders’ equity:
7% Series A cumulative convertible preferred stock (no par value, 1,500,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding)				-			-
Series B junior participating preferred stock (no par value, 400,000  shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding)				-			-
Preferred stock (no par value, 18,100,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding)				-			-
Common stock (no par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 10,268,270 and 10,189,128 shares issued and outstanding at  September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)				-			-
Additional paid-in capital				24,209			20,465
Retained income				207,148			161,454
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes				(2,217	)		666
Total stockholders’ equity				229,140			182,585
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$			702,862			602,210

 

HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
	September 30,							September 30,
	2015					2014		2015					2014
Revenue
Gross premiums earned	$		103,842			88,944		$		321,174			274,053
Premiums ceded			(41,077	)		(27,684	)			(100,294	)		(83,764	)
Net premiums earned			62,765			61,260				220,880			190,289
Net investment (loss) income			(519	)		1,213				2,685			3,753
Net realized investment (losses) gains			(296	)		3,294				(563	)		4,465
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in income:
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses			(2,482	)		-				(4,465	)		-
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes			596			-				596			-
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses			(1,886	)		-				(3,869	)		-
Policy fee income			994			931				2,477			1,826
Other			204			257				930			1,023
Total revenue			61,262			66,955				222,540			201,356
Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses			26,200			21,991				65,804			58,939
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses			10,675			9,986				30,917			28,674
Salaries and wages			5,040			4,357				15,174			12,614
Interest expense			2,698			2,626				8,038			7,809
Other operating expenses			4,711			5,220				14,040			15,852
Total expenses			49,324			44,180				133,973			123,888
Income before income taxes			11,938			22,775				88,567			77,468
Income tax expense			4,567			8,723				33,796			29,366
Net income	$		7,371			14,052		$		54,771			48,102
Preferred stock dividends			-			-				-			4
Income available to common stockholders	$		7,371			14,052		$		54,771			48,106
Basic earnings per common share	$		0.72			1.34		$		5.38			4.48
Diluted earnings per common share	$		0.71			1.23		$		4.84			4.07
Dividends per common share	$		0.30			0.28		$		0.90			0.83

Company Contact:
Kevin Mitchell, Vice President of Investor Relations
HCI Group, Inc.
(813) 405-3603
kmitchell@hcigroup.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Michael Koehler
Liolios 
(949) 574-3860
hci@liolios.com

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