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Everest Re Group Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results

EG

HAMILTON, Bermuda

  • Shareholders’ equity increased to a record $9.3 billion, with book value per share of $232.32, up 3.8% compared to $223.85 at year-end 2019.
  • Gross written premium of $2.4 billion, reflecting growth of 9.4% (10.7% excluding the impact of foreign exchange).
  • Strong renewal rate change in Everest Insurance, up 18% excluding workers’ compensation and up over 12% including workers’ compensation.
  • Combined ratio of 97.5% and $50.9 million of underwriting income, inclusive of $160 million of Covid-19 Pandemic (“Pandemic”) losses and $15 million of catastrophe losses.
  • Attritional combined ratio excluding the Pandemic impacts improved to 88.5% vs. 88.6% in the same period last year.
  • Net income of $190.9 million, net operating income of $82.9 million.

Everest Re Group, Ltd. (“Everest” or the “Company”) today reported that for the three months ended June 30, 2020, net income was $190.9 million, or $4.77 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $332.9 million, or $8.15 per diluted common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2019. After-tax operating income¹ for the quarter was $82.9 million, or $2.07 per diluted common share, compared to after-tax operating income¹ of $320.9 million, or $7.85 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2019.

Everest Re Group President & CEO Juan C. Andrade commented: “Despite the current challenging and uncertain public health, economic, and social environment, Everest reported another solid quarter and first half of 2020 results. Our ability to successfully leverage our capital position, our global platform, and our success in executing against our objectives - even under adverse conditions - drive our results. Our people continue to demonstrate the passion and resilience to differentiate Everest and deliver value to our customers. We have strong forward momentum across our Reinsurance and Insurance Segments.

Turning to the Company’s results, Everest wrote nearly $2.4 billion in gross written premiums for the quarter, an increase of 9.4% as compared to a year ago, 10.7% excluding the impact of foreign exchange. Our Reinsurance Segment (“Reinsurance”) grew 9.1% while the Insurance Segment (“Insurance”) was up 9.8% (11.0% and 10.0% respectively excluding the impact of foreign exchange). In Reinsurance, we continue to see excellent opportunities in several areas such as facultative risk, property and in certain territories including the US, Canada, Latin America and Asia, with an overall environment that gives us the opportunity to better shape our book towards deals with much better terms and pricing. In Insurance, the main growth drivers were continued strength in the Excess & Surplus business, strong and widespread rate momentum (excluding workers compensation up 18% and up over 12% including workers compensation) and high renewal retention across all of our businesses.

Insurance written rate also continues to exceed loss trend across our core P&C lines of business.

Our combined ratio for the quarter was 97.5%, 95.4% for Reinsurance and 103.4% for Insurance, resulting in $50.9 million of underwriting income and highlighting the underlying strength and sustainable profitability of the franchise. These results include $160 million in net pre-tax losses related to the Covid-19 Pandemic (“Pandemic”), attributed $130 million to Reinsurance and $30 million to Insurance. The Company also recorded $15 million of catastrophe losses from civil unrest in the United States. The attritional combined ratio excluding Pandemic impacts was 88.5%, 86.7% for Reinsurance and 93.7% for Insurance.

Our balance sheet and capital position remain a fundamental source of strength for Everest. This quarter reported record shareholder’s equity of $9.3 billion; combined with our low financial leverage and top tier ratings we have more than ample capital to take advantage of current and future opportunities in the global reinsurance and insurance market.”

Other operating highlights for the second quarter of 2020 included the following:

  • Net written premium of $2.0 billion reflecting growth of 13.1%
  • Cash flow from operations was $598.6 million for the quarter compared to $393.7 million for 2019.
  • Net investment income of $38.1 million for the quarter including limited partnership losses of ($88.3) million. Note that net investment income from limited partnerships is generally subject to a quarterly reporting lag, which indicates that limited partnership losses in the first quarter of 2020 are reflected in our net investment income for the second quarter of 2020.
  • Net after-tax realized gains amounted to $150.5 million for the quarter, while net after-tax unrealized gains were $544.5 million for the quarter.
  • Shareholders’ equity at quarter end was $9.3 billion vs. $9.1 billion at year end 2019.
  • The Company has paid $61.9 million in common share dividends during the quarter and $125.2 million thus far in 2020.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. Federal securities laws. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made on behalf of the Company. These risks and uncertainties include the impact of general economic conditions and conditions affecting the insurance and reinsurance industry, the adequacy of our reserves, our ability to assess underwriting risk, trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, competition, investment market and investment income fluctuations, trends in insured and paid losses, catastrophes, pandemic, regulatory and legal uncertainties and other factors described in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Everest Re Group, Ltd.

Everest Re Group, Ltd. (“Everest”) is a leading global provider of reinsurance and insurance, operating for close to 50 years through subsidiaries in the U.S., Europe, Singapore, Canada, Bermuda and other territories.

Everest offers property, casualty, and specialty products through its various operating affiliates located in key markets around the world.

Everest common stock (NYSE:RE) is a component of the S&P 500 index.

Additional information about Everest, our people, and our products can be found on our website atwww.everestre.com. All issuing companies may not do business in all jurisdictions.

A conference call discussing the second quarter results will be held at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on August 6, 2020. The call will be available on the Internet through the Company’s web site at everestre.com/investors.

Recipients are encouraged to visit the Company’s web site to view supplemental financial information on the Company’s results. The supplemental information is located at www.everestre.com in the “Financial Reports” section of the “Investor Center”. The supplemental financial information may also be obtained by contacting the Company directly.

_________________________
1 The Company generally uses after-tax operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate its performance. After-tax operating income (loss) consists of net income (loss) excluding after-tax net realized capital gains (losses) and after-tax net foreign exchange income (expense) as the following reconciliation displays:

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

2020

2019

2020

2019

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

Per Diluted

Per Diluted

Per Diluted

Per Diluted

Common

Common

Common

Common

Amount

Share

Amount

Share

Amount

Share

Amount

Share

Net income (loss)

$190,880

$4.77

$332,868

$8.15

$207,492

$5.13

$687,419

$16.82

After-tax net realized capital gains (losses)

150,519

3.76

25,994

0.64

(21,844

)

(0.54

)

99,899

2.44

After-tax net foreign exchange income (expense)

(42,528

)

(1.06

)

(13,988

)

(0.34

)

(17,924

)

(0.44

)

(15,710

)

(0.38

)

After-tax operating income (loss)

$82,889

$2.07

$320,862

$7.85

$247,260

$6.12

$603,230

$14.76

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)

Although net realized capital gains (losses) and net foreign exchange income (expense) are an integral part of the Company’s insurance operations, the determination of net realized capital gains (losses) and foreign exchange income (expense) is independent of the insurance underwriting process. The Company believes that the level of net realized capital gains (losses) and net foreign exchange income (expense) for any particular period is not indicative of the performance of the underlying business in that particular period. Providing only a GAAP presentation of net income (loss) makes it more difficult for users of the financial information to evaluate the Company’s success or failure in its basic business and may lead to incorrect or misleading assumptions and conclusions. The Company understands that the equity analysts who follow the Company focus on after-tax operating income (loss) in their analyses for the reasons discussed above. The Company provides after-tax operating income (loss) to investors so that they have what management believes to be a useful supplement to GAAP information concerning the Company’s performance.

--Financial Details Follow--

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

2020

2019

2020

2019

(unaudited) (unaudited)
REVENUES:
Premiums earned

$

2,042,405

$

1,817,299

$

4,079,219

$

3,549,996

Net investment income

38,083

179,028

185,883

320,004

Net realized capital gains (losses):
Credit allowances on fixed maturity securities

(4,063

)

-

(25,837

)

-

Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities

-

(5,157

)

-

(8,090

)

Other net realized capital gains (losses)

188,711

35,429

(103

)

130,594

Total net realized capital gains (losses)

184,648

30,272

(25,940

)

122,504

Net derivative gain (loss)

11,869

353

(3,504

)

3,584

Other income (expense)

(32,490

)

(18,225

)

(9,127

)

(21,525

)

Total revenues

2,244,515

2,008,727

4,226,531

3,974,563

CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses

1,407,016

1,094,630

2,837,856

2,143,180

Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees

466,316

420,950

914,838

810,424

Other underwriting expenses

118,130

104,833

246,990

203,818

Corporate expenses

8,733

7,535

18,566

14,187

Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense

7,253

8,434

14,836

16,065

Total claims and expenses

2,007,448

1,636,382

4,033,086

3,187,674

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES

237,067

372,345

193,445

786,889

Income tax expense (benefit)

46,187

39,477

(14,047

)

99,470

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$

190,880

$

332,868

$

207,492

$

687,419

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period

551,753

197,759

272,354

430,824

Reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)

(7,257

)

(1,869

)

24,142

(3,691

)

Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period

544,496

195,890

296,496

427,133

Foreign currency translation adjustments

20,586

(25,832

)

(30,238

)

(11,780

)

Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net (gain) loss included in net income (loss)

1,806

1,151

2,726

2,302

Total benefit plan net gain (loss) for the period

1,806

1,151

2,726

2,302

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

566,888

171,209

268,984

417,655

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

$

757,768

$

504,077

$

476,476

$

1,105,074

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic

$

4.78

$

8.17

$

5.14

$

16.88

Diluted

4.77

8.15

5.13

16.82

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
June 30, December 31,
(Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except par value per share)

2020

2019

(unaudited)
ASSETS:
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value

$

17,055,259

$

16,824,944

(amortized cost: 2020, $16,392,238; 2019, $16,473,491, credit allowances: 2020, $25,837; 2019, $0)
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value

4,431

5,826

Equity securities, at fair value

949,170

931,457

Short-term investments (cost: 2020, $854,248; 2019, $414,639)

853,964

414,706

Other invested assets (cost: 2020, $1,816,373; 2019, $1,763,531)

1,816,373

1,763,531

Cash

922,479

808,036

Total investments and cash

21,601,676

20,748,500

Accrued investment income

120,387

116,804

Premiums receivable

2,484,271

2,259,088

Reinsurance receivables

1,852,887

1,763,471

Funds held by reinsureds

513,123

489,901

Deferred acquisition costs

578,210

581,863

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

464,206

445,716

Income taxes

294,333

305,711

Other assets

675,700

612,997

TOTAL ASSETS

$

28,584,793

$

27,324,051

LIABILITIES:
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses

14,276,641

13,611,313

Future policy benefit reserve

40,659

42,592

Unearned premium reserve

3,190,174

3,056,735

Funds held under reinsurance treaties

11,876

10,668

Other net payable to reinsurers

369,761

291,660

Losses in course of payment

199,157

51,950

Senior notes due 6/1/2044

397,134

397,074

Long term notes due 5/1/2067

223,625

236,758

Accrued interest on debt and borrowings

2,368

2,878

Equity index put option liability

9,088

5,584

Unsettled securities payable

89,749

30,650

Other liabilities

488,262

453,264

Total liabilities

19,298,494

18,191,126

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred shares, par value: $0.01; 50,000 shares authorized;
no shares issued and outstanding

-

-

Common shares, par value: $0.01; 200,000 shares authorized; (2020) 69,608
and (2019) 69,464 outstanding before treasury shares

696

694

Additional paid-in capital

2,225,993

2,219,660

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense
(benefit) of $66,616 at 2020 and $30,996 at 2019

297,137

28,152

Treasury shares, at cost; 29,636 shares (2020) and 28,665 shares (2019)

(3,622,172

)

(3,422,152

)

Retained earnings

10,384,645

10,306,571

Total shareholders' equity

9,286,299

9,132,925

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

28,584,793

$

27,324,051

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Six Months Ended
June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)

2020

2019

(unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)

$

207,492

$

687,419

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable

(252,609

)

(174,583

)

Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net

(23,498

)

(55,421

)

Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables

(147,515

)

(19,319

)

Decrease (increase) in income taxes

(25,000

)

180,126

Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums

(29,699

)

(137,092

)

Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses

800,816

155,096

Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserve

(1,933

)

(1,648

)

Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums

159,744

219,263

Increase (decrease) in other net payable to reinsurers

89,499

132,474

Increase (decrease) in losses in course of payment

147,427

35,738

Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships

84,066

(57,031

)

Distribution of limited partnership income

40,447

41,321

Change in other assets and liabilities, net

(10,313

)

(60,820

)

Non-cash compensation expense

19,175

17,171

Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount)

20,547

13,321

Net realized capital (gains) losses

25,940

(122,504

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

1,104,586

853,511

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value

1,261,650

1,009,921

Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value

990,273

2,318,207

Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value

-

2,706

Proceeds from equity securities sold, at fair value

213,185

149,233

Distributions from other invested assets

164,975

143,752

Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value

(2,301,701

)

(3,466,331

)

Cost of equity securities acquired, at fair value

(224,086

)

(229,070

)

Cost of other invested assets acquired

(343,332

)

(207,323

)

Net change in short-term investments

(439,457

)

(499,983

)

Net change in unsettled securities transactions

49,504

88,531

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

(628,989

)

(690,357

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Common shares issued during the period for share-based compensation, net of expense

(12,841

)

(7,485

)

Purchase of treasury shares

(200,019

)

(24,604

)

Dividends paid to shareholders

(125,205

)

(114,136

)

Cost of debt repurchase

(10,647

)

-

Cost of shares withheld on settlements of share-based compensation awards

(14,141

)

(11,748

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(362,853

)

(157,973

)

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH

1,699

91

Net increase (decrease) in cash

114,443

5,272

Cash, beginning of period

808,036

656,095

Cash, end of period

$

922,479

$

661,367

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Income taxes paid (recovered)

$

10,895

$

(83,995

)

Interest paid

14,992

15,984

Media: Dane Lopes
Group Head of Marketing & Communications
Everest Global Services, Inc.
203.388.3977

Investors: Jon Levenson
Head of Investor Relations
Everest Global Services, Inc.
908.604.3169