Third Point Re Reports Fourth Quarter 2014 Earnings Results

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Feb. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. ("Third Point Re" or the "Company") (NYSE: TPRE) today announced results for its fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2014.

Third Point Re reported a net loss of $14.7 million, or $(0.14) per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2014, compared with net income of $80.1 million, or $0.75 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2013, a decrease of 118.3%.  For the year ended ended December 31, 2014, Third Point Re reported net income of $50.4 million, or $0.47 per diluted common share, compared with $227.3 million, or $2.54 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of 77.8%.

For the three months ended December 31, 2014, diluted book value per share decreased by $0.13 per share, or 1.0%, to $13.55 per share from $13.68 per share as of September 30, 2014.  For the year ended December 31, 2014, diluted book value per share increased by $0.43 per share, or 3.3%, to $13.55 per share from $13.12 per share as of December 31, 2013.

"The overall results for the quarter were disappointing due to challenging investment market conditions," commented John Berger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "While slightly higher than the returns of the broader hedge fund indices, the return on our investment portfolio managed by Third Point LLC was slightly negative for the quarter.  We are making significant progress in developing our reinsurance business and believe we are well positioned to benefit from future investment portfolio gains. In the fourth quarter of 2014, gross premiums written increased by fifty percent, our combined ratio dropped to 100.2% and our float grew to $389.2 million. 

We are pleased that we have completed the initial capitalization of Third Point Reinsurance (USA) Ltd., our United States underwriting platform.  We expect continued growth in the near term due to this expansion of our underwriting platform and a robust deal pipeline."

The following table shows certain key financial metrics for the three months and years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

(1)     Property and Casualty Reinsurance segment only.

(2)     See the accompanying Segment Reporting for an explanation and calculation of net underwriting loss and combined ratio.

(3)     Prior to 2014, deposit liabilities and reinsurance contracts investment expense and changes in the estimated fair value of embedded derivatives were recorded in net investment income. As these amounts have become more prominent, the presentation has been modified, and deposit liabilities and reinsurance contracts investment expense and changes in the estimated fair value of embedded derivatives are now recorded in other expenses in the consolidated statements of income (loss). As a result, investment expenses of $2.2 million and $4.9 million that were previously reported in net investment income for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, respectively, are now reported in other expenses to conform to the current period's presentation.

(4)     Net investment income on float, diluted book value per share and return on beginning shareholders' equity are non-GAAP financial measures. See the accompanying Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures and Key Performance Indicators for an explanation and calculation of net investment income on float, diluted book value per share and return on beginning shareholders' equity.

Segment Highlights

Property and Casualty Reinsurance Segment

Gross premiums written increased by $91.4 million, or 56.3%, to $253.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 from $162.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013. Gross premiums written increased by $207.7 million, or 52.8%, to $601.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $393.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily due to new business written, partially offset by business not renewed. Since Third Point Re is a developing company and focuses on large transactions, which in some cases may not renew, period over period comparisons may not be meaningful.

Net premiums earned for the three months ended December 31, 2014 increased $124.2, or 218.9%, to $181.0 million and increased $219.7 million, or 103.3%, to $432.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 reflect net premiums earned on a larger in-force underwriting portfolio compared to the three months and year ended December 31, 2013.  In addition, the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 included $80.5 million and $83.1 million, respectively, of premiums related to retroactive exposures in reinsurance contracts where we record the premiums as written and earned at inception of the contract.

The net underwriting loss from the Property and Casualty Reinsurance segment was $0.5 million and $9.6 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014, respectively.  These results compare to a net underwriting loss of $3.6 million and $15.8 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, respectively.  The improvement in the net underwriting loss is due to a higher in-force book of business for 2014 on a relatively consistent composite ratio. 

The combined ratio for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 was 100.2% and 102.2%, respectively, compared to 106.3% and 107.5% for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, respectively. The lower combined ratio is primarily due to a lower general and administrative expense ratio, which has continued to decrease due to proportionately higher net premiums earned.

Catastrophe Risk Management

The Catastrophe Risk Management segment includes the combined results of Third Point Reinsurance Opportunities Fund Ltd. (the "Catastrophe Fund"), Third Point Reinsurance Investment Management Ltd., and Third Point Re Cat Ltd. (the "Catastrophe Reinsurer"). After attributing income to non-controlling interests, net income from the Catastrophe Risk Management segment was $0.8 million and $4.6 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014, respectively, compared to net income of $0.8 million and $3.4 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, respectively.  Net assets under management for the Catastrophe Fund were $119.7 million as of December 31, 2014 compared to $104.0 million as of December 31, 2013.

In December 2014, we announced that we would no longer accept investments in the Catastrophe Fund, that no new business would be written in the Catastrophe Reinsurer and that we would be redeeming all existing investments in the Catastrophe Fund. Despite the Catastrophe Fund's solid investment returns from its inception, we are winding it down due to challenging market conditions and competition with other collateralized reinsurance and insurance-linked securities vehicles.  Catastrophe reinsurance pricing and the fees available to manage catastrophe risk have decreased significantly in the past two years.  The Catastrophe Fund Manager will continue to manage the runoff of the remaining exposure in the Catastrophe Fund.

Investments

For the three months ended December 31, 2014, Third Point Re recorded a net investment loss of $6.5 million, compared to net investment income of $89.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013. The return on investments managed by the Company's investment manager, Third Point LLC, was (0.4)% for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to 6.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2013.  The net investment results for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were driven by losses in the portfolio's corporate and government credit strategies and one merger arbitrage position.  These losses were partially offset by gains in several core equity positions in the healthcare and consumer sectors.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, Third Point Re recorded net investment income of $85.6 million, compared to $258.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.  The return on investments managed by the Company's investment manager, Third Point LLC, was 5.1% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 23.9% for the year ended December 31, 2013.  The returns for the year ended December 31, 2014 were largely attributable to Third Point LLC's equity and structured credit strategies.  Within equities, healthcare and industrials and commodities were the strongest performing sectors, accounting for nearly half of total returns for the year. Investments in Third Point LLC's performing credit and macro strategies both detracted moderately from 2014 net investment income.  Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2014 benefited from higher average investments managed by Third Point LLC compared to the prior year period due to the float contributed by our property and casualty reinsurance operations.

Conference Call Details

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter 2014 results at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on February 27, 2015. The call will be webcast live over the Internet from the Company's website at www.thirdpointre.bm under "Investors". Participants should follow the instructions provided on the website to download and install any necessary audio applications. The conference call is also available by dialing 1-877-407-0789 (domestic) or 1-201-689-8562 (international). Participants should ask for the Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. fourth quarter earnings conference call.

A replay of the live conference call will be available approximately three hours after the call. The replay will be available on the Company's website or by dialing 1-877-870-5176 (domestic) or 1-858-384-5517 (international) and entering the replay passcode 13600219. The telephonic replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on March 6, 2015.

Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company's control. The Company cautions you that the forward-looking information presented in this press release is not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "plan," "seek," "comfortable with," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Actual events, results and outcomes may differ materially from our expectations due to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Although it is not possible to identify all of these risks and factors, they include, among others, the following: (i) limited historical information about the Company; (ii) operational structure currently is being developed; (iii) fluctuation in results of operations; (iv) more established competitors; (v) losses exceeding reserves; (vi) downgrades or withdrawal of ratings by rating agencies; (vii) dependence on key executives; (viii) dependence on letter of credit facilities that may not be available on commercially acceptable terms; (ix) potential inability to pay dividends; (x) inability to service our indebtedness; (xi) limited cash flow and liquidity due to indebtedness; (xii) unavailability of capital in the future; (xiii) fluctuations in market price of the Company's common shares; (xiv) dependence on clients' evaluations of risks associated with such clients' insurance underwriting; (xv) suspension or revocation of reinsurance license; (xvi) potentially being deemed an investment company under United States federal securities law; (xvii) potential characterization of Third Point Re and/or Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd. as a passive foreign investment company; (xviii) dependence on Third Point LLC to implement the Company's investment strategy; (xix) termination by Third Point LLC of the investment management agreements; (xx) risks associated with the Company's investment strategy being greater than those faced by competitors; (xxi) increased regulation or scrutiny of alternative investment advisors affecting the Company's reputation; (xxii) the Company potentially becoming subject to United States federal income taxation; (xxiii) the Company potentially becoming subject to United States withholding and information reporting requirements under the FATCA provisions; and (xxiv) other risks and factors listed under "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic and current disclosures filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In presenting Third Point Re's results, management has included financial measures that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Such measures, including net investment income on float, diluted book value per share and return on beginning shareholders' equity, are referred to as non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. Management believes these measures allow for a more complete understanding of the underlying business. These measures are used to monitor our results and should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of such measures to the most comparable GAAP figures are included in the attached financial information in accordance with Regulation G.

About the Company

The Company is a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange which, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd. and Third Point Reinsurance (USA) Ltd., writes property and casualty reinsurance business.  Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd. was incorporated in October 2011 and commenced underwriting business on January 1, 2012.  Third Point Reinsurance (USA) Ltd. was incorporated in November 2014 and expects to commence underwriting business in March 2015.  Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd. and Third Point Reinsurance (USA) Ltd. each have an "A-" (Excellent) financial strength rating from A.M. Best Company, Inc.

Contact
Third Point Reinsurance Ltd.
Manoj Gupta - SVP Underwriting
[email protected]
+1 441-542-3701

(1)       Loss ratio is calculated by dividing loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net by net premiums earned.

(2)       Acquisition cost ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition costs, net by net premiums earned.

(3)       Composite ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net and acquisition costs, net by net premiums earned.

(4)       General and administrative expense ratio is calculated by dividing general and administrative expenses related to underwriting activities by net premiums earned.

(5)       Combined ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net, acquisition costs, net and general and administrative expenses related to underwriting activities by net premiums earned.

(1)       Loss ratio is calculated by dividing loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net by net premiums earned.

(2)       Acquisition cost ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition costs, net by net premiums earned.

(3)       Composite ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net and acquisition costs, net by net premiums earned.

(4)       General and administrative expense ratio is calculated by dividing general and administrative expenses related to underwriting activities by net premiums earned.

(5)       Combined ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net, acquisition costs, net and general and administrative expenses related to underwriting activities by net premiums earned.

(6)       Effective January 1, 2014, the Company modified the presentation of its operating segments to allocate net investment income from float to the Property and Casualty Reinsurance segment.  Prior period segment results have been adjusted to conform to this presentation.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators

Book Value per Share and Diluted Book Value per Share

Book value per share and diluted book value per share are non-GAAP financial measures. Book value per share is calculated by dividing shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders, adjusted for subscriptions receivable, by the number of issued and outstanding shares at period end. Diluted book value per share is calculated by dividing shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders, adjusted for subscriptions receivable, and adjusted to include unvested restricted shares and the exercise of all in-the-money options and warrants. Prior to Third Point Re's initial public offering, the market share price was assumed to be equal to the fully diluted book value per share. We believe that long-term growth in diluted book value per share is the most important measure of our financial performance because it allows our management and investors to track over time the value created by the retention of earnings. In addition, we believe this metric is used by investors because it provides a basis for comparison with other companies in our industry that also report a similar measure.

Net Investment Income on Float

Net investment income on float is an important aspect of our property and casualty reinsurance operation. In an insurance or reinsurance operation, float arises because premiums from reinsurance contracts and proceeds from deposit accounted contracts are collected before losses are paid. In some instances, the interval between receipts and payments can extend over many years. During this time interval, insurance and reinsurance companies invest the premiums received and generate investment returns. Although float can be calculated using numbers determined under U.S. GAAP, float is a non-GAAP financial measure and, therefore, there is no comparable U.S. GAAP measure. We believe that net investment income generated on float is an important consideration in evaluating the overall contribution of our property and casualty reinsurance operation to our consolidated results. It is also explicitly considered as part of the evaluation of management's performance for purposes of incentive compensation.

Net Investment Return on Investments Managed by Third Point LLC

Net investment return represents the return on our investments managed by Third Point LLC, net of fees. The net investment return on investments managed by Third Point LLC is the percentage change in value of a dollar invested over the reporting period on our investment assets managed by Third Point LLC, net of non-controlling interest. The stated return is net of withholding taxes, which are presented as a component of income tax expense in our consolidated statements of income (loss). Net investment return is the key indicator by which we measure the performance of Third Point LLC, our investment manager.

Return on Beginning Shareholders' Equity

Return on beginning shareholders' equity as presented is a non-GAAP financial measure. Return on beginning shareholders' equity is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the beginning of year shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders. For purposes of determining December 31, 2011 shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders, we add back the impact of subscriptions receivable to shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders. For the year ended December 31, 2013, we have also adjusted the beginning shareholders' equity for the impact of the issuance of shares in our IPO on a weighted average basis. These adjustments lower the stated returns on beginning shareholders' equity. We believe this metric is used by investors to supplement measures of our profitability.

SOURCE Third Point Reinsurance Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.thirdpointre.bm