Liberty Mutual Insurance Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

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Nov 02, 2017, 21:01 ET

BOSTON, Nov. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Mutual Holding Company Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively "LMHC" or the "Company") reported net loss attributable to LMHC of $665 million and $188 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, versus net income attributable to LMHC of $455 million and $863 million for the same periods in 2016, respectively. Including $1 million and $2 million of net income attributable to non-controlling interest, consolidated net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $664 million and $186 million, respectively.

"Net loss in the quarter of $665 million, was driven by the after tax impact of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, which totaled $1.2 billion. The fundamentals of the business though remain healthy, as evidenced by a 1.7 point reduction in the core combined ratio down to 92.5%," said David H. Long, President and CEO of Liberty Mutual Insurance.

"While the catastrophe losses are significant, they serve as a very real reminder of why we are here. It is in times of crisis that our customers expect us to respond immediately with care, compassion and restitution. Our employees continue to work tirelessly in the impacted areas to help our customers through the daunting challenge of getting back on their feet as quickly as possible."

Third Quarter Highlights

Net written premium ("NWP") for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $10.379 billion, an increase of $1.070 billion or 11.5% over the same period in 2016.
Pre-tax operating loss before partnerships, limited liability companies ("LLC") and other equity method income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $1.233 billion, versus pre-tax operating income ("PTOI") before partnerships, LLC and other equity method income of $417 million for the same period in 2016.
Net operating loss before partnerships, LLC and other equity method income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $886 million versus net operating income before partnerships, LLC and other equity method income of $352 million for the same period in 2016.
Partnerships, LLC and other equity method income, net of tax for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $137 million, an increase of $95 million over the same period in 2016.
Net realized gains, net of tax for the three months ended September 30, 2017 were $128 million, an increase of $71 million or 124.6% over the same period in 2016.
Ironshore Inc. ("Ironshore") acquisition and integration costs, net of tax for the three months ended September 30, 2017 were $28 million versus zero for the same period in 2016.
Restructuring costs, net of tax for the three months ended September 30, 2017 were $15 million versus zero for the same period in 2016.
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net of tax for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was zero versus $1 million for the same period in 2016.
Consolidated net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $664 million versus consolidated net income of $450 million for the same period in 2016.
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $1 million versus ($5) million for the same period in 2016.
Net loss attributable to LMHC for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $665 million versus net income attributable to LMHC of $455 million for the same period in 2016.
Cash flow provided by operations for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $945 million, a decrease of $325 million or 25.6% from the same period in 2016.
The consolidated combined ratio before catastrophes¹, net incurred losses attributable to prior years² and current accident year re-estimation³ for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was 92.5%, a decrease of 1.7 points from the same period in 2016. Including the impact of catastrophes, net incurred losses attributable to prior years and current accident year re-estimation, the Company's combined ratio⁴ for the three months ended September 30, 2017 increased 18.4 points to 116.2%.

Year-to-date Highlights

NWP for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $29.523 billion, an increase of $2.424 billion or 8.9% over the same period in 2016.
Pre-tax operating loss before partnerships, LLC and other equity method income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $979 million, versus pre-tax operating income before partnerships, LLC and other equity method income of $1.204 billion for the same period in 2016.
Net operating loss before partnerships, LLC and other equity method income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $688 million versus net operating income before partnerships, LLC and other equity method income of $886 million for the same period in 2016.
Partnerships, LLC and other equity method income, net of tax for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $312 million, an increase of $290 million over the same period in 2016.
Net realized gains (losses), net of tax for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $257 million versus ($39) million for the same period in 2016.
Ironshore acquisition and integration costs, net of tax for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $51 million versus zero for the same period in 2016.
Restructuring costs, net of tax for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $15 million versus zero for the same period in 2016.
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net of tax for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $1 million, a decrease of $5 million or 83.3% from the same period in 2016.
Consolidated net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $186 million versus consolidated net income of $863 million for the same period in 2016.
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $2 million versus zero for the same period in 2016.
Net loss attributable to LMHC for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $188 million versus net income attributable to LMHC of $863 million for the same period in 2016.
Cash flow provided by operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $2.059 billion, an increase of $144 million or 7.5% over the same period in 2016.
The consolidated combined ratio before catastrophes and net incurred losses attributable to prior years for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was 93.4%, an increase of 0.2 points over the same period in 2016. Including the impact of catastrophes and net incurred losses attributable to prior years, the Company's combined ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 increased 8.6 points to 107.1%.

Financial Condition as of September 30, 2017

Total debt was $8.290 billion as of September 30, 2017, an increase of $687 million or 9.0% over December 31, 2016.
Total equity was $20.928 billion as of September 30, 2017, an increase of $541 million or 2.7% over December 31, 2016.

Subsequent Events

Management has assessed material subsequent events through November 2, 2017, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.

Consolidated Results of Operations

	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
$ in Millions	2017	2016	Change	2017	2016	Change
Revenues	$11,191	$9,890	13.2%	$31,657	$28,641	10.5%
PTOI before catastrophes, net incurred losses attributable to prior years, current accident year re-estimation and partnerships, LLC and other equity method income	$986	$720	36.9%	$2,605	$2,541	2.5%
Catastrophes¹	(1,785)	(258)	NM	(3,141)	(1,408)	123.1
Net incurred losses attributable to prior years:
- Asbestos and environmental²	(153)	(50)	NM	(162)	(41)	NM
- All other^2,3	(251)	11	NM	(281)	112	NM
Current accident year re-estimation⁴	(30)	(6)	NM	-	-	-
Pre-tax operating (loss) income before partnerships, LLC and other equity method income	(1,233)	417	NM	(979)	1,204	NM
Partnerships, LLC and other equity method income⁵	209	62	NM	479	26	NM
Pre-tax operating (loss) income	(1,024)	479	NM	(500)	1,230	NM
Net realized gains (losses)	196	84	133.3	395	(50)	NM
Ironshore acquisition & integration costs	(38)	-	NM	(74)	-	NM
Restructuring costs	(23)	-	NM	(23)	-	NM
Loss on extinguishment of debt	-	(1)	(100.0)	(1)	(9)	(88.9)
Pre-tax (loss) income	(889)	562	NM	(203)	1,171	NM
Income tax (benefit) expense	(225)	112	NM	(17)	308	NM
Consolidated net (loss) income	(664)	450	NM	(186)	863	NM
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	1	(5)	NM	2	-	NM
Net (loss) income attributable to LMHC	($665)	$455	NM	($188)	$863	NM
Cash flow provided by operations before Ironshore Reinsurance and pension contributions	$1,496	$1,272	17.6%	$3,012	$2,719	10.8%
Ironshore Reinsurance⁶	(550)	-	NM	(550)	-	NM
Pension contributions	(1)	(2)	(50.0)	(403)	(804)	(49.9)
Cash flow provided by operations	$945	$1,270	(25.6%)	$2,059	$1,915	7.5%

1	Catastrophes are defined as a natural catastrophe or terror event exceeding $25 million in estimated ultimate losses, net of reinsurance, and before taxes. Catastrophe losses, where applicable, include the impact of accelerated earned catastrophe premiums and earned reinstatement premiums.
2	Asbestos and environmental is gross of the related adverse development reinsurance (the "NICO Reinsurance Transaction"), and All other includes all cessions related to the NICO Reinsurance Transaction.
3	Net of earned premium and reinstatement premium attributable to prior years of $11 million and $2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, and zero and ($7) million for the same periods in 2016.
4	Re-estimation of the current accident year loss reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
5	Partnerships, LLC and other equity method income includes limited partnerships ("LP"), LLC and other equity method income within net investment income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and revenue and expenses from the production and sale of oil and gas.
6	Ironshore reinsurance agreement ("Ironshore Reinsurance").
	NM = Not Meaningful

Financial Information: The Company's financial results, management's discussion and analysis of operating results and financial condition, accompanying financial statements and other supplemental financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are available on the Company's Investor Relations web site at www.libertymutualgroup.com/investors.

Conference Call Information: On November 3, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, David Long, Liberty Mutual Insurance President and CEO, will host a conference call to discuss the Company's third quarter 2017 financial results. To participate in the event via telephone and to ask a question, please dial 866-491-9244, referencing the Confirmation Code 2790535. You can view the slides by accessing https://attglobal.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1168064&tp_key=8a44453e01. To listen to the call online via PC and view a presentation on financial performance, please log into https://attglobal.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1168064&tp_key=8a44453e01. You must select the option "Listen by Computer" on the left panel. Following the call, a recording of the event will be available on the Investor Relations section of Liberty Mutual's website, www.libertymutualgroup.com/investors.

About Liberty Mutual Insurance

Boston-based LMHC, the parent corporation of the Liberty Mutual Insurance group of entities, is a diversified global insurer and fourth largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. based on 2016 direct written premium. The Company also ranks 75^th on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2016 revenue. As of December 31, 2016, LMHC had $125.592 billion in consolidated assets, $105.205 billion in consolidated liabilities, and $38.308 billion in annual consolidated revenue.

LMHC, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, offers a wide range of property and casualty insurance products and services to individuals and businesses alike. In 2001 and 2002, the Company formed a mutual holding company structure, whereby the three principal mutual insurance companies, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company and Employers Insurance Company of Wausau, each became separate stock insurance companies under the ownership of LMHC.

Functionally, the Company conducts substantially all of its business through the SBUs, with each operating independently of the others with dedicated sales, underwriting, claims, actuarial, financial and certain information technology resources. Management believes this structure allows each business unit to execute its business strategy and/or to make acquisitions without impacting or disrupting the operations of the Company's other business units.

LMHC employs more than 50,000 people in over 800 offices throughout the world. For a full description of the Company's business operations, products and distribution channels, please visit Liberty Mutual's Investor Relations web site at www.libertymutualgroup.com/investors.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This report contains forward looking statements that are intended to enhance the reader's ability to assess the Company's future financial and business performance. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that represent the Company's beliefs concerning future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments, and contain words and phrases such as "may," "expects," "should," "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends" or similar expressions. Because these forward looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control or are subject to change, actual results could be materially different.

Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to the following: the occurrence of catastrophic events (including terrorist acts, hurricanes, hail, tornados, tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, snowfall and winter conditions); inadequacy of loss reserves; adverse developments involving asbestos, environmental or toxic tort claims and litigation; adverse developments in the cost, availability or ability to collect reinsurance; disruptions to the Company's relationships with its independent agents and brokers; financial disruption or a prolonged economic downturn; the performance of the Company's investment portfolios; a rise in interest rates; risks inherent in the Company's alternative investments in private LPs, LLCs, commercial mortgages and natural resource working interests; difficulty in valuing certain of the Company's investments; subjectivity in the determination of the amount of impairments taken on the Company's investments; unfavorable outcomes from litigation and other legal proceedings, including the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues and investigations by state and federal authorities; the Company's exposure to credit risk in certain of its business operations; the Company's inability to obtain price increases or maintain market share due to competition or otherwise; inadequacy of the Company's pricing models; changes to insurance laws and regulations; changes in the amount of statutory capital that the Company must hold to maintain its financial strength and credit ratings; regulatory restrictions on the Company's ability to change its methods of marketing and underwriting in certain areas; assessments for guaranty funds and mandatory pooling arrangements; a downgrade in the Company's claims-paying and financial strength ratings; the ability of the Company's subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company; inflation, including inflation in medical costs and automobile and home repair costs; the cyclicality of the property and casualty insurance industry; political, legal, operational and other risks faced by the Company's international business; potentially high severity losses involving the Company's surety products; loss or significant restriction on the Company's ability to use credit scoring in the pricing and underwriting of personal lines policies; inadequacy of the Company's controls to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards; changes in federal or state tax laws; risks arising out of the Company's securities lending program; the Company's utilization of information technology systems and its implementation of technology innovations; difficulties with technology or data security; insufficiency of the Company's business continuity plan in the event of a disaster; the Company's ability to successfully integrate operations, personnel and technology from its acquisitions; insufficiency of the Company's enterprise risk management models and modeling techniques; and changing climate conditions. The Company's forward looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or as of the date they are made and should be regarded solely as the Company's current plans, estimates and beliefs. For a detailed discussion of these and other cautionary statements, visit the Company's Investor Relations website at www.libertymutualgroup.com/investors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward looking statements.

Contact:	Investor Relations	Media Relations
	Edward Peña	Rich Angevine
	857-224-6655	617-574-6638

1	Catastrophes are defined as a natural catastrophe or terror event exceeding $25 million in estimated ultimate losses, net of reinsurance, and before taxes. Catastrophe losses, where applicable, include the impact of accelerated earned catastrophe premiums and earned reinstatement premiums.
2	Net incurred losses attributable to prior years is defined as incurred losses attributable to prior years (including prior year losses related to catastrophes and prior year catastrophe reinstatement premium) including earned premium attributable to prior years.
3	Re-estimation of the current accident year loss reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
4	The combined ratio, expressed as a percentage, is a measure of underwriting profitability. This measure should only be used in conjunction with, and not in lieu of, underwriting income and may not be comparable to other performance measures used by the Company's competitors. The combined ratio is computed as the sum of the following property and casualty ratios: the ratio of claims and claim adjustment expense less managed care income to earned premium; the ratio of insurance operating costs plus amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs less third-party administration income and fee income (primarily related to the Company's involuntary market servicing carrier operations) and installment charges to earned premium; and the ratio of policyholder dividends to earned premium. Provisions for uncollectible premium and reinsurance are not included in the combined ratio unless related to an asbestos and environmental commutation and certain other run off. Restructuring and Ironshore acquisition and integration costs are not included in the combined ratio.