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Donegal Group Inc. Announces Second Quarter and First Half 2022 Results
Press Releases

Donegal Group Inc. Announces Second Quarter and First Half 2022 Results

MARIETTA, Pa., July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Donegal Group Inc. (NASDAQ: DGICA) and (NASDAQ: DGICB) today reported its financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2022.

Significant Items for Second Quarter of 2022 (all comparisons to second quarter of 2021):

  • Net loss of $8.2 million, or 26 cents per Class A share, compared to net income of $16.2 million, or 53 cents per diluted Class A share
  • Net premiums earned increased 6.0% to $204.1 million
  • Net premiums written1 increased 4.2% to $218.4 million
  • Combined ratio of 105.0%, compared to 96.1%
  • Net loss included after-tax net investment losses of $6.6 million, or 21 cents per Class A share, compared to after-tax net investment gains of $3.4 million, or 11 cents per diluted Class A share
  • Book value per share of $15.87 at June 30, 2022

Financial Summary

  Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2022       2021     % Change     2022       2021     % Change  
  (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  
                         
Income Statement Data                        
Net premiums earned $ 204,128     $ 192,489     6.0 %   $ 403,377     $ 379,740     6.2 %  
Investment income, net   8,204       7,652     7.2       16,063       15,163     5.9    
Net investment (losses) gains   (8,377 )     4,241     NM2       (8,453 )     6,710     NM    
Total revenues   204,311       205,146     -0.4       411,938       403,116     2.2    
Net (loss) income   (8,208 )     16,164     NM       4,937       26,694     -81.5    
Non-GAAP operating (loss) income1   (1,590 )     12,814     NM       11,615       21,393     -45.7    
Annualized (loss) return on average equity   -6.3 %     12.0 %   NM       1.9 %     10.0 %   -8.1  pts  
                                             
Per Share Data                                            
Net (loss) income – Class A (diluted) $ (0.26 )   $ 0.53     NM     $ 0.16     $ 0.88     -81.8 %  
Net (loss) income – Class B   (0.24 )     0.48     NM       0.14       0.80     -82.5    
Non-GAAP operating (loss) income – Class A (diluted)   (0.05 )     0.42     NM       0.37       0.71     -47.9    
Non-GAAP operating (loss) income – Class B   (0.05 )     0.38     NM       0.34       0.64     -46.9    
Book value   15.87       17.64     -10.0 %     15.87       17.64     -10.0    
                                             

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

2Not meaningful.

Management Commentary

Kevin G. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our second quarter of 2022 results reflected a number of factors, including after-tax investment losses of $6.6 million related to the market-driven decline in the value of our equity investment holdings as well as elevated weather-related and large fire losses during the quarter. The above-average weather-related losses for the second quarter of 2022 resulted primarily from multiple localized wind and hail events, with only one event generating claims that exceeded our insurance subsidiaries’ reinsurance retention amount. While claim frequency levels generally remained consistent with historical trends, inflationary pressures contributed to higher loss costs in our homeowners, commercial multi-peril and automobile lines of business. We expect the premium rate increases we have implemented to date, and plan to implement during the remainder of 2022 and 2023 will lead to improved results as those increases are earned over the terms of the underlying policies. In spite of the elevated loss activity in the second quarter, our underwriting results for the first half of 2022 largely met our expectations. We are making excellent progress on our ongoing strategic and business transformation initiatives. Maintaining a long-term view, we believe that we are well-positioned to enhance our profitability and achieve our operational and financial objectives over time.”

Insurance Operations

Donegal Group is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer personal and commercial property and casualty lines of insurance in three Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania), three New England states (Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont), six Southern states (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia), eight Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin) and four Southwestern states (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 June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2022       2021     % Change     2022       2021     % Change  
  (dollars in thousands)  
                         
Net Premiums Earned                        
Commercial lines $ 126,854     $ 115,300       10.0 %   $ 251,183     $ 224,525     11.9 %  
Personal lines   77,274       77,189       0.1       152,194       155,215     -1.9    
Total net premiums earned $ 204,128     $ 192,489       6.0 %   $ 403,377     $ 379,740     6.2 %  
                         
Net Premiums Written                        
Commercial lines:                        
Automobile $ 43,588     $ 42,574       2.4 %   $ 92,216     $ 89,813     2.7 %  
Workers’ compensation   29,343       28,567       2.7       62,240       63,508     -2.0    
Commercial multi-peril   51,117       47,912       6.7       105,314       99,715     5.6    
Other   10,496       9,970       5.3       21,607       20,421     5.8    
Total commercial lines   134,544       129,023       4.3       281,377       273,457     2.9    
Personal lines:                        
Automobile   44,988       44,296       1.6       87,228       87,303     -0.1    
Homeowners   32,785       30,369       8.0       56,300       53,057     6.1    
Other   6,129       5,917       3.6       11,983       11,650     2.9    
Total personal lines   83,902       80,582       4.1       155,511       152,010     2.3    
Total net premiums written $ 218,446     $ 209,605       4.2 %   $ 436,888     $ 425,467     2.7 %  
                         

Net Premiums Written

The 4.2% increase in net premiums written for the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021, as shown in the table above, represents 4.3% growth in commercial lines net premiums written and 4.1% growth in personal lines net premiums written. The $8.8 million increase in net premiums written for the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021 included:

  • Commercial Lines: $5.5 million increase that we attribute primarily to modest 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 regions we have targeted for profit improvement.
  • Personal Lines: $3.3 million increase that we attribute to premium rate increases our insurance subsidiaries have implemented over the past four quarters, strong policy retention and modest new business writings in certain states where we have introduced an updated suite of products.

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 six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:

  Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended  
  June 30,   June 30,  
    2022       2021       2022       2021    
                 
GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines)                
Loss ratio (non-weather)   59.8 %     53.1 %     57.5 %     56.5 %  
Loss ratio (weather-related)   9.6       6.1       6.8       4.9    
Expense ratio   35.0       36.0       35.4       35.1    
Dividend ratio   0.6       0.9       0.7       0.8    
Combined ratio   105.0 %     96.1 %     100.4 %     97.3 %  
                 
Statutory Combined Ratios                
Commercial lines:                
Automobile   100.1 %     105.5 %     94.7 %     103.9 %  
Workers’ compensation   78.7       84.0       87.8       89.3    
Commercial multi-peril   119.5       94.5       109.8       100.8    
Other   87.1       77.2       79.9       68.8    
Total commercial lines   101.6       94.3       97.6       96.6    
Personal lines:                
Automobile   104.0       91.1       98.9       92.2    
Homeowners   123.5       110.1       115.9       102.4    
Other   51.3       74.5       47.6       75.7    
Total personal lines   107.5       96.9       101.2       94.7    
Total lines   103.8 %     95.4 %     99.0 %     95.9 %  
                 

Loss Ratio

For the second quarter of 2022, the loss ratio increased to 69.4%, compared to 59.2% for the second quarter of 2021. Weather-related losses were $19.6 million, or 9.6 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the second quarter of 2022, compared to $11.7 million, or 6.1 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the second quarter of 2021. Weather-related loss activity for the second quarter of 2022 was higher than our previous five-year average of $17.1 million for second-quarter weather-related losses.

Large fire losses, which we define as individual fire losses in excess of $50,000, for the second quarter of 2022 were $13.4 million, or 6.6 percentage points of the loss ratio. That amount exceeded the large fire losses of $11.7 million, or 6.1 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the second quarter of 2021.   We experienced a $1.5 million increase in commercial property fire losses compared to the prior-year quarter.

Net favorable development of reserves for losses incurred in prior accident years of $7.9 million decreased the loss ratio for the second quarter of 2022 by 3.9 percentage points, compared to $13.4 million that decreased the loss ratio for the second quarter of 2021 by 6.9 percentage points. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced favorable development primarily relating to reserves for accident years 2021 and 2020 in the commercial automobile, personal automobile and workers’ compensation lines of business.

Expense Ratio

The expense ratio was 35.0% for the second quarter of 2022, compared to 36.0% for the second quarter of 2021. The decrease in the expense ratio reflected lower underwriting-based incentive costs for our agents and employees for the second quarter of 2022 compared to the prior-year quarter.

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 92.9% of our consolidated investment portfolio in diversified, highly rated and marketable fixed-maturity securities at June 30, 2022.

  June 30, 2022   December 31, 2021  
  Amount   %   Amount   %  
  (dollars in thousands)  
Fixed maturities, at carrying value:                
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies $ 134,746       10.4 %   $ 121,453       9.5 %  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   448,206       34.5       428,814       33.6    
Corporate securities   398,017       30.6       412,758       32.3    
Mortgage-backed securities   226,412       17.4       237,709       18.6    
Total fixed maturities   1,207,381       92.9       1,200,734       94.0    
Equity securities, at fair value   45,261       3.5       63,420       5.0    
Short-term investments, at cost   46,685       3.6       12,692       1.0    
Total investments $ 1,299,327       100.0 %   $ 1,276,846       100.0 %  
                 
Average investment yield   2.5 %         2.6 %      
Average tax-equivalent investment yield   2.6 %         2.6 %      
Average fixed-maturity duration (years)   6.1           4.7        
                 

Total investments at June 30, 2022 increased by $22.5 million compared to December 31, 2021, as new funds invested were largely offset by $41.5 million of unrealized losses within our available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio due to a substantial increase in market interest rates during the first half of 2022.

Net investment income of $8.2 million for the second quarter of 2022 increased 7.2% compared to $7.7 million for the second quarter of 2021. The increase in net investment income reflected primarily an increase in average invested assets relative to the prior-year second quarter.

Net investment losses of $8.4 million for the second quarter of 2022 were primarily related to unrealized losses in the fair value of equity securities held at June 30, 2022. Net investment gains of $4.2 million for the second quarter of 2021 were primarily related to unrealized gains in the fair value of equity securities held at June 30, 2021.

Our book value per share was $15.87 at June 30, 2022, compared to $16.95 at December 31, 2021, with the decrease primarily related to after-tax unrealized losses within our available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio during the first half of 2022 that reduced our book value by $1.02 per share.

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 June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2022       2021     % Change     2022       2021     % Change  
  (dollars in thousands)  
                         
Reconciliation of Net Premiums                        
Earned to Net Premiums Written                        
Net premiums earned $ 204,128     $ 192,489     6.0 %   $ 403,377     $ 379,740     6.2 %  
Change in net unearned premiums   14,318       17,116     -16.3       33,511       45,727     -26.7    
Net premiums written $ 218,446     $ 209,605     4.2 %   $ 436,888     $ 425,467     2.7 %  
                         

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

  Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2022       2021     % Change     2022       2021     % Change  
  (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  
                         
Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income                        
to Non-GAAP Operating (Loss) Income                          
Net (loss) income $ (8,208 )   $ 16,164     NM     $ 4,937     $ 26,694     -81.5 %  
Investment losses (gains) (after tax)   6,618       (3,350 )   NM       6,678       (5,301 )   NM    
Non-GAAP operating (loss) income $ (1,590 )   $ 12,814     NM     $ 11,615     $ 21,393     -45.7 %  
                             
Per Share Reconciliation of Net (loss) Income                            
to Non-GAAP Operating (Loss) Income                            
Net (loss) income – Class A (diluted) $ (0.26 )   $ 0.53     NM     $ 0.16     $ 0.88     -81.8 %  
Investment losses (gains) (after tax)   0.21       (0.11 )   NM       0.21       (0.17 )   NM    
Non-GAAP operating (loss) income – Class A $ (0.05 )   $ 0.42     NM     $ 0.37     $ 0.71     -47.9 %  
                             
Net (loss) income – Class B $ (0.24 )   $ 0.48     NM     $ 0.14     $ 0.80     -82.5 %  
Investment losses (gains) (after tax)   0.19       (0.10 )   NM       0.20       (0.16 )   NM    
Non-GAAP operating (loss) income – Class B $ (0.05 )   $ 0.38     NM     $ 0.34     $ 0.64     -46.9 %  
                           

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 July 21, 2022, we declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.165 per share for our Class A common stock and $0.1475 per share for our Class B common stock, which is payable on August 15, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 1, 2022.

Pre-Recorded Webcast

At approximately 8:30 am EDT on Thursday, July 28, 2022, we will make available in the Investors section of our website a pre-recorded audio webcast featuring management commentary and a question and answer session. 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, New England, 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, prolonged economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse litigation and other trends that could increase our loss costs (including labor shortages and escalating medical, automobile and property repair costs), adverse and catastrophic weather events, 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 (Loss) Income
(unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
       
  Quarter Ended June 30,
    2022       2021
       
Net premiums earned $ 204,128     $ 192,489
Investment income, net of expenses   8,204       7,652
Net investment (losses) gains   (8,377 )     4,241
Lease income   98       108
Installment payment fees   258       656
Total revenues   204,311       205,146
       
Net losses and loss expenses   141,608       113,957
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs   35,172       33,103
Other underwriting expenses   36,235       36,230
Policyholder dividends   1,289       1,629
Interest   240       217
Other expenses, net   346       313
Total expenses   214,890       185,449
       
(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense   (10,579 )     19,697
Income tax (benefit) expense   (2,371 )     3,533
       
Net (loss) income $ (8,208 )   $ 16,164
       
(Loss) earnings per common share:      
Class A – basic and diluted $ (0.26 )   $ 0.53
Class B – basic and diluted $ (0.24 )   $ 0.48
       
Supplementary Financial Analysts’ Data      
       
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:      
Class A – basic   26,069,692       25,341,989
Class A – diluted   26,294,147       25,594,024
Class B – basic and diluted   5,576,775       5,576,775
       
Net premiums written $ 218,446     $ 209,605
       
Book value per common share at end of period $ 15.87     $ 17.64
       


Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
       
  Six Months Ended June 30,
    2022       2021
       
Net premiums earned $ 403,377     $ 379,740
Investment income, net of expenses   16,063       15,163
Net investment (losses) gains   (8,453 )     6,710
Lease income   203       216
Installment payment fees   748       1,287
Total revenues   411,938       403,116
       
Net losses and loss expenses   259,491       233,176
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs   69,354       63,282
Other underwriting expenses   73,342       70,012
Policyholder dividends   2,937       2,924
Interest   393       530
Other expenses, net   774       744
Total expenses   406,291       370,668
       
Income before income tax expense   5,647       32,448
Income tax expense   710       5,754
       
Net income $ 4,937     $ 26,694
       
Net income per common share:      
Class A – basic $ 0.16     $ 0.89
Class A – diluted $ 0.16     $ 0.88
Class B – basic and diluted $ 0.14     $ 0.80
       
Supplementary Financial Analysts’ Data      
       
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:      
Class A – basic   25,928,952       25,056,610
Class A – diluted   26,052,149       25,246,791
Class B – basic and diluted   5,576,775       5,576,775
       
Net premiums written $ 436,888     $ 425,467
       
Book value per common share at end of period $ 15.87     $ 17.64
       


Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
       
  June 30,   December 31,
    2022       2021  
  (unaudited)    
       
ASSETS
Investments:      
Fixed maturities:      
Held to maturity, at amortized cost $ 700,335     $ 668,105  
Available for sale, at fair value   507,046       532,629  
Equity securities, at fair value   45,261       63,420  
Short-term investments, at cost   46,685       12,692  
     Total investments   1,299,327       1,276,846  
Cash   21,811       57,709  
Premiums receivable   190,324       168,863  
Reinsurance receivable   445,151       455,411  
Deferred policy acquisition costs   74,247       68,028  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums   172,406       176,936  
Receivable from Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association         18,113  
Other assets   46,582       33,269  
Total assets $ 2,249,848     $ 2,255,175  
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:      
Losses and loss expenses $ 1,083,354     $ 1,077,620  
Unearned premiums   601,939       572,958  
Accrued expenses   4,797       4,029  
Borrowings under lines of credit   35,000       35,000  
Cash refunds due to Michigan policyholders         18,113  
Other liabilities   13,736       16,419  
Total liabilities   1,738,826       1,724,139  
Stockholders’ equity:      
Class A common stock   296       288  
Class B common stock   56       56  
Additional paid-in capital   317,940       304,889  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income   (29,477 )     3,284  
Retained earnings   263,433       263,745  
Treasury stock   (41,226 )     (41,226 )
Total stockholders’ equity   511,022       531,036  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 2,249,848     $ 2,255,175  
       

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