TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 02, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HCI Group, Inc. (NYSE:HCI), a holding company primarily engaged in homeowners insurance, with additional operations in reinsurance, real estate and information technology, reported results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.

Second Quarter 2018 - Financial Results 
Net income for the second quarter of 2018 totaled $6.4 million or $0.92 diluted earnings per share compared with $9.5 million or $0.93 diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2017. Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP financial measure which excludes unrealized gains or losses on equity securities) for the quarter was $7.6 million or $1.01 per fully diluted share. The company has included in this press release an explanation of adjusted net income as well as a reconciliation to net income and earnings per share calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (known as “GAAP”). 

Gross premiums earned totaled $85.9 million compared with $90.1 million in the same period in 2017. The decrease was primarily attributable to attrition in the number of insurance policies outstanding.

Gross premiums written were $132.4 million compared with $134.4 million in the same quarter of 2017. 

Premiums ceded increased to $33.0 million or 38.4% of gross premiums earned from $28.2 million or 31.3% of gross premiums earned in the second quarter of 2017.

Net premiums earned (defined as gross premiums earned less premiums ceded to reinsurers) were $53 million compared with $61.8 million in the same period in 2017. 

Net premiums written (defined as gross premiums written less premiums ceded to reinsurers) were $99.4 million compared with $106.2 million in the same period in 2017.

Net realized investment gains were $2.7 million compared with $1.8 million in the same period in 2017. The gains in 2018 resulted primarily from sales intended to rebalance the company’s investment portfolio.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses were $21.8 million compared with $27.7 million in the same period in 2017. The decrease is due to fewer non-catastrophe claims in the second quarter of 2018 compared to the second quarter of 2017. Loss reserves established during the second quarter of 2018 primarily pertained to claims in the 2018 loss year, whereas the 2017 losses and loss adjustment expenses were impacted by the strengthening of loss reserves in response to trends involving assignment of insurance benefits and related litigation. 

General and administrative personnel expenses were $7.8 million compared with $7.4 million in the same period in 2017.

The increase was due to the reclassification of cumulative dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards which have market-based vesting conditions that will not be met.

Income tax expense was $5.1 million compared with $4.8 million in the same quarter in 2017. The increase was attributable to the derecognition of deferred tax assets and the disallowance of deductibility of dividends reclassified to expense, both of which relate to certain restricted stock awards granted in 2013 having market-based vesting thresholds that will not be met. The increase was offset by tax savings from a lower federal corporate income tax rate attributable to the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 that became effective January 1, 2018.

Second Quarter 2018 - Financial Ratios 
Loss expenses were 25.4% of gross premiums earned for the second quarter of 2018 compared with 30.7% in 2017. The decrease was primarily due to fewer losses and loss adjustment expenses in the second quarter of 2018 compared to the second quarter of 2017.

The combined ratio (total of all expenses in relation to net premiums earned) was 89.3% for the second quarter of 2018 compared with 86.1% in the second quarter of 2017.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 - Financial Results 
Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 totaled $17.2 million or $2.03 diluted earnings per common share compared with $21.6 million or $2.07 diluted earnings per common share for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in net premiums earned and a decrease in net realized and unrealized investment gains, offset by a decrease in losses and loss adjustment expenses. Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure which excludes unrealized gains or losses on equity securities) for the six-month period was $20.3 million or $2.27 per fully diluted share. An explanation of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliations to the applicable GAAP numbers accompany this press release.

Gross premiums earned decreased to $171.7 million from $181.7 million in the same period in 2017. The decrease was primarily attributable to policy attrition. Gross premiums written were $202.5 million compared with $205.9 million in the same six-month period of 2017.

Premiums ceded were $65.2 million or 38.0% of gross premiums earned compared with $56.8 million or 31.3% of gross premiums earned during the same period in 2017.

Net premiums earned decreased to $106.5 million from $124.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Net realized investment gains were $4.9 million compared with $2.5 million during the same period in 2017.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 were $41.5 million and $53.2 million, respectively.

Interest expense was $9.0 million compared with $7.9 million in the same six-month period in 2017. The increase resulted from the effect of the issuance of 4.25% convertible senior notes in March 2017, offset in part by the redemption of the 8% senior notes in April 2017.

Income tax expense was $9.1 million compared to $11.9 million for the same six-month period in 2017, which resulted from the reduced federal corporate income tax rate effective January 1, 2018, offset by the derecognized deferred tax assets and the nondeductible expense of dividends paid, each related to certain market based restricted stock awards granted in 2013 for which vesting thresholds will not be met as described previously.

Book value per share, defined as shareholders’ equity divided by common shares outstanding at the end of the respective reporting periods, was $22.43 at June 30, 2018 compared with $22.14 at December 31, 2017.                                                                     

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 - Financial Ratios 
Loss expenses were 24.1% of gross premiums earned for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared with 29.3% in the six months ended June 30, 2017.

The combined ratio was 84.7% compared with 81.6% in the same period in 2017.

Management Commentary 
“The company remains focused on shareholders and profitable results,” said Paresh Patel, HCI Group’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We believe our business model combined with our industry-leading technology has HCI well positioned for growth.”

Conference Call 
HCI Group will hold a conference call later today, August 2, 2018, to discuss these financial results. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paresh Patel and Chief Financial Officer Mark Harmsworth 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 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

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 Group 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 September 2, 2018.

Toll-free replay number: (877) 481-4010
International replay number: (919) 882-2331
Replay ID: 34799

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 services. 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 Index and the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. HCI Group, Inc. regularly publishes financial and other information in the Investor Information section of the company’s website. For more information about HCI Group and its subsidiaries, 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. For example, the estimation of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses is an inherently imprecise process involving many assumptions and considerable management judgment. 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.

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

Investor Relations Contact:
Matt Glover or Najim Mostamand, CFA
Liolios Group, Inc.
Tel (949) 574-3860
HCI@liolios.com

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HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
		At June 30, 2018		At December 31, 2017
		(Unaudited)
Assets
Fixed-maturity securities, available for sale, at fair value
(amortized cost: $166,552 and $235,633, respectively)	$	165,133		237,484
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $38,608 and $54,282, respectively)		40,125		59,956
Short-term investments, at fair value		110,042		-
Limited partnership investments, at equity		25,951		23,184
Investment in unconsolidated joint venture, at equity		1,634		1,304
Real estate investments		64,081		58,358
Total investments		406,966		380,286
Cash and cash equivalents		216,453		255,884
Restricted cash		809		809
Accrued interest and dividends receivable		1,472		1,983
Income taxes receivable		3,108		16,192
Premiums receivable		25,897		17,807
Prepaid reinsurance premiums		29,580		22,286
Reinsurance recoverable:
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses		12,903		2,344
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		82,998		100,760
Deferred policy acquisition costs		20,086		16,712
Property and equipment, net		12,845		12,465
Intangible assets, net		5,102		4,995
Other assets		23,493		9,741
Total assets	$	841,712		842,264
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	172,387		198,578
Unearned premiums		194,828		164,896
Advance premiums		13,150		4,948
Assumed reinsurance balances payable		133		15
Accrued expenses		10,044		6,035
Reinsurance recovered in advance on unpaid losses		-		13,885
Deferred income taxes, net		2,993		1,890
Long-term debt		240,983		237,835
Other liabilities		16,173		20,207
Total liabilities		650,691		648,289
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,
8,517,888 and 8,762,416 shares issued and outstanding at
June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)		—		—
Additional paid-in capital		—		—
Retained income		192,080		189,409
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes		(1,059)		4,566
Total stockholders’ equity		191,021		193,975
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	841,712		842,264

HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		June 30,					June 30,
		2018			2017		2018		2017
		(Unaudited)
Revenue
Gross premiums earned		$	85,919		90,088		171,691		181,707
Premiums ceded			(32,954)		(28,241)		(65,204)		(56,824)
Net premiums earned			52,965		61,847		106,487		124,883
Net investment income			3,399		2,810		6,617		5,644
Net realized investment gains			2,662		1,787		4,894		2,502
Net unrealized investment losses			(1,557)		-		(4,157)		-
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses			(40)		(177)		(80)		(390)
Policy fee income			855		908		1,720		1,816
Other			529		405		1,071		838
Total revenue			58,813		67,580		116,552		135,293
Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses			21,803		27,665		41,458		53,194
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses			9,959		10,070		19,319		19,719
General and administrative personnel expenses			7,840		7,374		14,123		14,349
Interest expense			4,505		4,378		8,975		7,920
Loss on repurchases of senior notes			-		743		-		743
Other operating expenses			3,186		3,045		6,353		5,921
Total expenses			47,293		53,275		90,228		101,846
Income before income taxes			11,520		14,305		26,324		33,447
Income tax expense			5,117		4,763		9,130		11,885
Net income		$	6,403		9,542		17,194		21,562
Basic earnings per share		$	0.96		1.05		2.21		2.32
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.92		0.93		2.03		2.07
Dividends per share		$	0.375		0.35		0.725		0.70

HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
A summary of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted income per common share calculated in accordance with GAAP is presented below.
	Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
GAAP	June 30, 2018								June 30, 2018
	Income			Shares		Per Share			Income			Shares	Per Share
	(Numerator)			(Denominator)		Amount			(Numerator)			(Denominator)	Amount
Net income	$	6,403							$	17,194
Less: Loss (income) attributable to participating securities*		1,202								501
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Income allocated to common stockholders		7,605		7,923		$	0.96			17,695		8,002		$	2.21
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock options		--		17						--		17
Convertible senior notes		3,160		3,803						6,294		3,801
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Income available to common stockholders and assumed conversions	$	10,765		11,743		$	0.92		$	23,989		11,820		$	2.03
*Loss attributable to participating securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 included the reclassification of cumulative dividends paid on certain restricted stock with market based vesting conditions from retained income to expense.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure that removes from net income the effect of unrealized gains or losses on equity securities that are required to be included in results of operations in accordance with a new accounting standard effective January 1, 2018. HCI Group believes net income without the effect of volatility in equity prices is more comparable to prior period operating results.  This financial measurement is not recognized in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance.  A reconciliation of GAAP Net income to non-GAAP Adjusted net income and GAAP diluted earnings per share to non-GAAP Adjusted diluted earnings per share is provided below.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income
	Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2018							June 30, 2018
GAAP Net Income				$	6,403						$	17,194
Add back: Net unrealized investment losses	$	1,557						$	4,157
Less: Tax effect at 25.345%	$	(395	)					$	(1,054	)
Net adjustment to Net Income				$	1,162						$	3,103
Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income				$	7,565						$	20,297

HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
A summary of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted income per common share calculated with the non-GAAP financial measure Adjusted net income is presented below.
	Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
Non-GAAP	June 30, 2018								June 30, 2018
	Income			Shares	Per Share				Income			Shares	Per Share
	(Numerator)			(Denominator)	Amount				(Numerator)			(Denominator)	Amount
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)	$	7,565							$	20,297
Less: Income attributable to participating securities*		1,124								292
Basic Earnings Per Share before unrealized gains/losses on equity securities:
Income allocated to common stockholders		8,689		7,923		$	1.10			20,589		8,002		$	2.57
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock options		--		17						--		17
Convertible senior notes		3,160		3,803						6,294		3,801
Diluted Earnings Per Share before unrealized gains/losses on equity securities:
Income available to common stockholders and assumed conversions	$	11,849		11,743		$	1.01		$	26,883		11,820		$	2.27
*Loss attributable to participating securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 included the reclassification of cumulative dividends paid on certain restricted stock with market based vesting conditions from retained income to expense.
Reconciliation of GAAP Diluted EPS to non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted EPS
	Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2018								June 30, 2018
GAAP diluted Earnings Per Share				0.92								2.03
Add back: Net unrealized investment losses	$	0.13							$	0.35
Less: Tax effect at 25.345%	$	(0.04	)						$	(0.11	)
Net adjustment to GAAP diluted EPS				0.09								0.24
Non-GAAP Adjusted diluted EPS				1.01								2.27