Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. Posts Record Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009
FREMONT, Mich., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: FMMH), a Michigan-exclusive property and casualty insurance carrier, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009. The Company reported record revenues of $56.9 million for the full year, representing growth of 13.4% from 2008, reflecting strong agent and customer loyalty, growing product lines and successful strategic partnerships.
- Net income of $1.07 per diluted share in the fourth quarter, up more than sevenfold from 4Q08
- Net income of $2.38 per diluted share for the full year, up 14.4% from 2008
- Combined ratio of 88.5% for the fourth quarter, 95.0% for the full year
- Book value per share increased 16.6% to $26.33 from $22.59 in 2008
"We are pleased with our growth in 2009, especially in a year characterized by significant economic challenges in the insurance industry and in our markets across Michigan," said Richard E. Dunning, President and CEO. "Our financial results capped a year of accomplishments for Fremont. We continued to execute on our long-term strategic plan, received an upgrade in our A. M. Best Financial Strength Rating to A- (Excellent), strengthened our Board of Directors and corporate governance and provided additional cash returns to our shareholders with a 33% increase in our quarterly dividend."
Fremont also cited the role of marketing partnerships, such as the Company's alliance with the Pure Michigan® campaign and the recently renewed agreement with the Michigan Retailers Association, in its successful growth during the year.
Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 was $1,914,000, or $1.07 per diluted share, compared to $237,000, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the 2008 quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2009, net income was $4,245,000, or $2.38 per diluted share, compared to $3,761,000, or $2.08 per diluted share, in 2008.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2009, Fremont generated direct premiums written of $17,157,000 compared to $15,750,000 in the 2008 quarter, an increase of 8.9%. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company generated direct premiums written of $66,856,000 compared to $60,882,000 in 2008, an increase of 9.8%.
Kevin G. Kaastra, Vice President of Finance added, "Our combined ratio showed further improvement in the fourth quarter, reaching 88.5%. This performance, along with solid investment income enabled us to post solid operating results for the quarter and increase our book value per share 16.5% to $26.33. In the future, we will continue to strive for improvement in our operations through technology initiatives, while maintaining underwriting and pricing discipline and managing a conservative investment portfolio."
Dunning said: "Our solid performance in 2009 was the result of the hard work and dedication of our experienced team of associates and independent agents. As we move ahead in 2010, we will continue to work closely to grow in the Michigan market and provide the level of service and safety our policy holders have come to expect from us. We believe our locally owned, locally managed approach is key to our success. We are committed to continuing to grow our business and relationships in Michigan, while working to expand into neighboring states, such as our recently announced efforts to enter the Wisconsin market."
Fremont recently announced it plans to expand its services to Wisconsin and other neighboring states and has filed the required documentation with insurance regulators in the state of Wisconsin with the hopes of entering that market.
Consolidated Highlights
Three Months Ended December 31,
-------------------------------
(Unaudited) 2009 2008 %
Consolidated revenues $15,142,623 $13,281,460 14.0%
Net income $1,914,113 $237,282 706.7%
Weighted average shares
outstanding 1,747,648 1,748,143
Basic earnings per share $1.10 $0.14 685.7%
Diluted earnings per share $1.07 $0.13 723.1%
Direct premiums written $17,157,454 $15,749,781 8.9%
Loss and LAE ratio 56.7% 74.0%
Expense ratio 31.8% 30.8%
Combined ratio 88.5% 104.8%
Net investment income $490,921 $598,125 -17.9%
Realized investment gains
(losses) $543,033 $66,445 717.3%
Operating income (1) $2,259,361 $173,516 1202.1%
Operating income per share (1) $1.29 $0.10 1190.0%
Cash dividends declared per share $0.04 $0.03 33.3%
Book value per share $26.33 $22.59 16.6%
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
(Unaudited) 2009 2008 %
Consolidated revenues $56,946,932 $50,204,186 13.4%
Net income $4,244,814 $3,760,588 12.9%
Weighted average shares
outstanding 1,749,196 1,770,025
Basic earnings per share $2.43 $2.12 14.6%
Diluted earnings per share $2.38 $2.08 14.4%
Direct premiums written $66,856,297 $60,882,499 9.8%
Loss and LAE ratio 63.2% 61.1%
Expense ratio 31.8% 33.4%
Combined ratio 95.0% 94.5%
Net investment income $1,964,735 $2,212,972 -11.2%
Realized investment gains
(losses) $806,501 $(126,735) 736.4%
Operating income (1) $5,256,440 $5,464,237 -3.8%
Operating income per share (1) $3.01 $3.09 -2.6%
Cash dividends declared per share $0.13 $0.06 116.7%
Book value per share $26.33 $22.59 16.6%
(1) Operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as pre-tax
income excluding net realized gains (losses) on investments.
In 2009, direct premiums written increased 9.8% with new business volume increasing 5.5% and renewal business up 10.7%. Personal auto continues to contribute to these results. Direct premiums written for personal auto increased 15.5%, with new business up 18.2% and renewal business up 15.0%. Growth in personal auto was driven by the ease of placing business with Fremont through our award-winning web-based rating platform, Fremont Complete, coupled with several book of business transfers, account rounding of current homeowner business and a strong renewal retention ratio which is in the low 90s on a percentage basis. Direct premiums written for the homeowner's product was up 6.6%. Commercial premiums increased 6.0% due to continued growth in commercial auto and workers compensation which are both complementary product lines to the main commercial package policy. Farm premiums increased 7.7% driven by new business which was up 43.1%, and renewal business which increased 2.5%. Premiums for the marine segment were flat in 2009.
In 2009, Fremont generated a loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 63.2% compared to 61.1% in 2008. Personal lines experienced a 2.9 percentage point drop in its loss ratio in 2009 as a result of improved profitability in the personal auto product line. The commercial lines loss ratio increased to 56.8% as a result of increased losses in commercial multi peril and workers compensation. The loss ratio was also impacted by increased reinsurance costs, resulting in lower net premiums earned in 2009 for the commercial lines segment. The farm segment experienced a drop in its loss ratio as a result of fewer weather related losses and a drop in claim frequency.
Fremont's expense ratio for 2009 decreased to 31.8% from 33.4%. The decrease in the expense ratio is a result of continued premium growth over which fixed costs can be spread, growth in personal auto which pays a lower commission than other products, a decrease in expenses associated with state-mandated pools, which we are required to participate in, and a decrease in depreciation expense.
Net investment income decreased in 2009 to $1.9 million compared to $2.2 million in 2008. The decrease was a result of shortening the duration in the fixed portfolio in order to reduce the market value volatility in the event of future rising interest rates. As part of the effort to shorten duration in the fixed portfolio we were able to realize gains of approximately $795,000 on the sale of fixed income securities while sales of equity securities generated gains of $11,000.
The Company experienced a significant recovery in the value of its investment portfolio during 2009. From December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2009, the fair value of the investment portfolio increased $3,937,000. During the second quarter 2009, the Company began adding to its equity portfolio through purchases of common stocks. Since March 31, 2009, the Company has added approximately $4,078,000 to the equity portfolio. Funding for the equity purchases has come from existing cash balances, operating cash flow and sales and maturities of fixed income securities.
About Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc.
Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. is the holding company for Fremont Insurance Company. Headquartered in Fremont, Michigan, the company provides property and casualty insurance to individuals, farms and small businesses exclusively in Michigan. Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp's common stock trades under the symbol "FMMH."
Consolidated Statement of Income
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
------------ ------------
2009 2008 2009 2008
---- ---- ---- ----
Direct premiums
written $17,157,454 $15,749,781 $66,856,297 $60,882,499
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Net premiums written $14,183,644 $12,867,846 $55,657,149 $50,025,098
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Revenues
Net premiums
earned $13,951,634 $12,441,291 $53,531,831 $47,503,121
Net investment
income 490,921 598,125 1,964,735 2,212,972
Net realized
gains (losses) on
investments 543,033 66,445 806,501 (126,735)
Other income 157,035 175,599 643,865 614,828
------- ------- ------- -------
Total revenues 15,142,623 13,281,460 56,946,932 50,204,186
Expenses
Loss and LAE 7,908,063 9,212,659 33,843,539 29,019,298
Policy acquisition
and other
underwriting
expenses 4,432,166 3,828,840 17,040,452 15,847,386
--------- --------- ---------- ----------
Total expenses 12,340,229 13,041,499 50,883,991 44,866,684
Income before
federal income
tax expense 2,802,394 239,961 6,062,941 5,337,502
Federal income tax
expense 888,281 2,679 1,818,127 1,576,914
------- ----- --------- ---------
Net income $1,914,113 $237,282 $4,244,814 $3,760,588
========== ======== ========== ==========
Earnings per share
Basic $1.10 $.14 $2.43 $2.12
Diluted $1.07 $.13 $2.38 $2.08
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited) December 31, December 31,
Assets 2009 2008
---- ----
Investments:
Fixed maturities available for
sale, at fair value $56,483,580 $53,958,783
Equity securities available for
sale, at fair value 11,183,580 4,560,368
Mortgage loans on real estate
from related parties 239,303 247,000
------- -------
Total investments 67,906,463 58,766,151
Cash and cash equivalents 7,063,679 6,576,564
Premiums due from policyholders, net 10,087,998 8,888,334
Amounts due from reinsurers 7,859,452 6,844,407
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 1,856,343 1,623,191
Accrued investment income 600,648 594,776
Deferred policy acquisition costs 3,913,551 3,596,147
Deferred federal income taxes 3,155,625 4,741,726
Property and equipment, net of
accumulated depreciation 2,787,134 2,455,766
Other assets 33,175 30,670
------ ------
$105,264,068 $94,117,732
============ ===========
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Losses and loss adjustment
expenses $21,331,243 $21,369,524
Unearned premiums 28,886,128 26,613,809
Reinsurance balances payable 96,697 161,845
Accrued expenses and other
liabilities 8,905,213 6,657,625
--------- ---------
Total liabilities 59,219,281 54,802,803
---------- ----------
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, no par value,
authorized 4,500,000 shares,
no shares issued and outstanding - -
Class A common stock, no par value,
authorized 5,000,000 shares,
1,749,032 and 1,740,154 shares
issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2009 and December
31, 2008, respectively - -
Class B common stock, no par value,
authorized 500,000 shares, no
shares issued and outstanding - -
Additional paid-in capital 9,037,405 8,653,443
Retained earnings 36,332,648 32,507,143
Accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss) 674,734 (1,845,657)
------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity 46,044,787 39,314,929
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $105,264,068 $94,117,732
============ ===========
SOURCE Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc.
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