Gross written premiums more than double quarter over quarter at TypTap

/EIN News/ -- TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HCI Group, Inc. (NYSE:HCI), an InsurTech insurance company with operations in insurance and software development as well as real estate, reported results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019.

Second Quarter 2019 - Financial Results

Net income for the second quarter of 2019 totaled $7.6 million or $0.90 diluted earnings per share compared with $6.4 million or $0.92 diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2018. Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure which excludes net unrealized gains or losses on equity securities) for the quarter was $6.6 million or $0.81 diluted earnings per share compared with $7.6 million or $1.01 diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2018. The company has included in this press release an explanation of adjusted net income as well as a reconciliation to GAAP net income and earnings per share calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (known as “GAAP”). 

Consolidated gross written premiums of $133.4 million for the second quarter of 2019 were up 0.8% from $132.4 million in the second quarter of 2018, reflecting the rapid growth of TypTap Insurance Company, HCI’s technology-driven insurance subsidiary. At TypTap, gross written premiums grew to $14 million in the second quarter compared with $6.1 in the first quarter of 2019.

Consolidated gross premiums earned of $83.3 million for the second quarter of 2019 were down 3.0% from $85.9 million in the second quarter of 2018.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses were $24.3 million compared with $21.8 million in the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily due to the strengthening of loss reserves.

Interest expense was $2.9 million compared to $4.5 million in the same period in 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the repayment of the 3.875% Convertible Senior Notes in March 2019.

Second Quarter 2019 - Financial Ratios

The loss ratio (defined as losses and loss adjustment expenses related to net premiums earned) for the second quarter of 2019 was 46.7% compared with 41.2% for the second quarter of 2018.

The expense ratio (defined as underwriting expenses, general and administrative personnel expenses, interest and other operating expenses related to net premiums earned) was 46.2% compared with 48.1% in the same period in 2018. The reduction was primarily attributable to the decrease in interest expense.

The combined ratio (total of all expenses in relation to net premiums earned) is the measure of overall underwriting profitability before other income. The combined ratio for the second quarter of 2019 was 92.9% compared with 89.3% in the same prior year period.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 - Financial Results

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2019 totaled $14.3 million or $1.72 diluted earnings per share compared with $17.2 million or $2.03 diluted earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The decrease was primarily attributable to an increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses of $9.8 million and a decrease in net premiums earned of $3.3 million, offset by an increase in net realized and unrealized investment gains of $5.4 million and a reduction in income tax expense of $3.8 million. Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure which excludes unrealized gains or losses on equity securities) for the six-month period was $9.4 million or $1.15 diluted earnings per share compared with $20.3 million or $2.27 diluted earnings per share in the same period of 2018. An explanation of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliations to the applicable GAAP numbers accompany this press release.

Consolidated gross written premiums for the six months declined 0.7% to $201.1 million in 2019 from $202.5 million in 2018.

Gross premiums earned decreased to $165.9 million from $171.7 million in the same period in 2018. The decrease was primarily attributable to policy attrition.

Premiums ceded were $62.7 million or 37.8% of gross premiums earned compared with $65.2 million or 38.0% of gross premiums earned during the same period in 2018.

Net premiums earned decreased to $103.2 million from $106.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 were $51.3 million and $41.5 million, respectively. The increase in 2019 was primarily attributable to approximately $5.3 million of losses related to a severe hail storm in March 2019 and the strengthening of loss reserves.

Interest expense was $7.2 million compared with $9.0 million in the same six-month period in 2018. The decrease primarily resulted from the repayment of the 3.875% Convertible Senior Notes in March 2019.

Income tax expense was $5.3 million compared with $9.1 million for the same six-month period in 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the derecognition of deferred tax assets and the disallowance of the deductibility of dividends reclassified to expense from retained income, which occurred in the second quarter of 2018. 

Book value per share, defined as shareholders’ equity divided by common shares outstanding at the end of the period, was $23.16 at June 30, 2019 compared with $21.71 at December 31, 2018.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 - Financial Ratios

The loss ratio (defined as losses and loss adjustment expenses related to net premiums earned) for the six months ended June 30, 2019 was 49.7% compared with 38.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

The expense ratio (defined as underwriting expenses, general and administrative personnel expenses, interest and other operating expenses related to net premiums earned) was 46.9% compared with 45.8% in the same period in 2018. The increase is primarily due to a reduction in net premiums earned.

The combined ratio (total of all expenses in relation to net premiums earned) is the measure of overall underwriting profitability before other income. The combined ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2019 was 96.6% compared with 84.7% in the same prior year period.

The combined ratio measured to gross premiums earned was 60.1% compared with 52.6% in the same period in 2018.

Management Commentary

“We remain encouraged by the accelerating growth of TypTap, our technology-driven insurance subsidiary,” said Paresh Patel, HCI Group’s chairman and chief executive officer. “The growth at TypTap is organic and profitable. The second quarter reflects the continuing transition of our core insurance business to an InsurTech insurance operation.”

Conference Call

HCI Group will hold a conference call later today, August 6, 2019, 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 Gateway Investor Relations 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 6, 2019.

Toll-free replay number: (877) 481-4010
International replay number: (919) 882-2331
Replay ID: 49829

About HCI Group, Inc.
HCI Group, Inc. is primarily an InsurTech insurance company with operations in insurance and software development as well as real estate. HCI’s leading insurance operation, TypTap Insurance Company, is a rapidly growing, technology-driven insurance company, which provides homeowners’ insurance and flood insurance primarily in Florida. TypTap’s operations are powered in large part by insurance-related information technology developed by HCI’s software subsidiary, Exzeo USA, Inc.  HCI’s largest subsidiary, Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc., provides homeowners’ insurance primarily in Florida. HCI’s real estate subsidiary, Greenleaf Capital, LLC, owns and operates multiple properties in Florida, including office buildings, retail centers and marinas.

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. 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
Gateway Investor Relations
Tel (949) 574-3860
HCI@gatewayir.com

-   Tables to follow   -

HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
			At June 30, 2019			At December 31, 2018
			(Unaudited)
Assets
Fixed-maturity securities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $207,563 and $184,670, respectively)		$	209,914		$	182,723
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $27,770 and $45,671, respectively)			29,861			41,143
Short-term investments, at fair value			508			66,479
Limited partnership investments, at equity			30,790			32,293
Investment in unconsolidated joint venture, at equity			791			845
Assets held for sale			10,025			9,810
Real estate investments			63,228			54,490
Total investments			345,117			387,783
Cash and cash equivalents			217,153			239,458
Restricted cash			700			700
Accrued interest and dividends receivable			1,682			1,792
Income taxes receivable			1,511			971
Premiums receivable			26,398			16,667
Prepaid reinsurance premiums			29,543			17,932
Reinsurance recoverable:
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses			19,183			11,151
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses			58,897			112,760
Deferred policy acquisition costs			20,851			16,507
Property and equipment, net			13,873			13,338
Intangible assets, net			4,498			4,800
Other assets			12,734			9,004
Total assets		$	752,140		$	832,863
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		$	154,242		$	207,586
Unearned premiums			193,426			157,729
Advance premiums			13,652			6,192
Assumed reinsurance balances payable			-			14
Accrued expenses			11,099			6,483
Deferred income taxes, net			2,750			1,068
Revolving credit facility			9,500			-
Long-term debt			162,293			250,150
Other liabilities			18,684			22,200
Total liabilities			565,646			651,422
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, 8,053,573 and 8,356,730 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively)			—			—
Additional paid-in capital			—			—
Retained income			184,739			182,894
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes			1,755			(1,453	)
Total stockholders’ equity			186,494			181,441
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	752,140		$	832,863

 

HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,
		2019				2018				2019				2018
Revenue
Gross premiums earned		$	83,315			$	85,919			$	165,912			$	171,691
Premiums ceded			(31,317	)			(32,954	)			(62,730	)			(65,204	)
Net premiums earned			51,998				52,965				103,182				106,487
Net investment income			4,226				3,399				7,504				6,617
Net realized investment (losses) gains			(133	)			2,662				(505	)			4,894
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)			1,326				(1,557	)			6,619				(4,157	)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses			-				(40	)			-				(80	)
Policy fee income			800				855				1,595				1,720
Other			413				529				869				1,071
Total revenue			58,630				58,813				119,264				116,552
Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses			24,293				21,803				51,289				41,458
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses			10,077				9,959				19,750				19,319
General and administrative personnel expenses			7,998				7,840				15,362				14,123
Interest expense			2,884				4,505				7,221				8,975
Other operating expenses			3,063				3,186				6,044				6,353
Total expenses			48,315				47,293				99,666				90,228
Income before income taxes			10,315				11,520				19,598				26,324
Income tax expense			2,762				5,117				5,307				9,130
Net income		$	7,553			$	6,403			$	14,291			$	17,194
Basic earnings per share		$	0.93			$	0.96			$	1.75			$	2.21
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.90			$	0.92			$	1.72			$	2.03
Dividends per share		$	0.40			$	0.375			$	0.80			$	0.725

 

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, 2019												June 30, 2019
	Income				Shares				Per Share				Income				Shares				Per Share
	(Numerator)				(Denominator)				Amount				(Numerator)				(Denominator)				Amount
Net income	$	7,553											$	14,291
Less: Loss attributable to participating securities		(405	)											(821	)
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Income allocated to common stockholders		7,148				7,666			$	0.93				13,470				7,701			$	1.75
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock options		--				15								--				16
Convertible senior notes		1,871				2,346								4,868				2,947
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Income available to common stockholders and assumed conversions	$	9,019				10,027			$	0.90			$	18,338				10,664			$	1.72

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 required to be included in results of operations in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 321. HCI Group believes net income without the effect of volatility in equity prices more accurately depicts 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, 2019										June 30, 2019
GAAP Net income				$	7,553									$	14,291
Net unrealized investment (gains) losses	$	(1,326	)								$	(6,619	)
Less: Tax effect at 25.345%	$	336									$	1,678
Net adjustment to Net income				$	(990	)								$	(4,941	)
Non-GAAP Adjusted Net income				$	6,563									$	9,350

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, 2019												June 30, 2019
	Income				Shares				Per Share				Income				Shares				Per Share
	(Numerator)				(Denominator)				Amount				(Numerator)				(Denominator)				Amount
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)	$	6,563											$	9,350
Less: Income attributable to participating securities		(344	)											(477	)
Basic Earnings Per Share before unrealized gains/losses on equity securities:
Income allocated to common stockholders		6,219				7,666			$	0.81				8,873				7,701			$	1.15
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock options		--				15								--				16
Convertible senior notes*		1,871				2,346								--				--
Diluted Earnings Per Share before unrealized gains/losses on equity securities:
Income available to common stockholders and assumed conversions	$	8,090				10,027			$	0.81			$	8,873				7,717			$	1.15
* For the six months ended June 30, 2019, convertible senior notes were excluded due to anti-dilutive effect.
Reconciliation of GAAP Diluted EPS to non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted EPS
	Three Months Ended												Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2019												June 30, 2019
GAAP diluted Earnings Per Share					$	0.90											$	1.72
Net unrealized investment (gains) losses	$	(0.13	)										$	(0.62	)
Less: Tax effect at 25.345%	$	0.04											$	0.05
Net adjustment to GAAP diluted EPS					$	(0.09	)										$	(0.57	)
Non-GAAP Adjusted diluted EPS					$	0.81											$	1.15