Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2010

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: PTP) today reported a net loss of $17.7 million and a loss per common share of $0.46 for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 and net income of $215.5 million and diluted earnings per common share of $4.78 for the year ended December 31, 2010.

The results for the quarter include net premiums earned of $185.0 million, net favorable development of $27.7 million, net investment income and net realized gains on investments of $38.9 million and net catastrophe losses of $68.2 million relating to the New Zealand earthquake and $9.9 million relating to the Australian floods.

Michael D. Price, President and Chief Executive Officer of Platinum, commented, "2010 was a difficult year for underwriting and investing with heavy catastrophe losses and volatile interest rates.  Despite these challenges, Platinum had an acceptable year, producing double digit returns and growth in book value per share for the year.  Our book value per common share was $50.20 as of December 31, 2010, an increase of 11.0% for the full year."

Mr. Price added, "Despite the prevailing soft market conditions, we expect to participate selectively in a variety of reinsurance classes while maintaining our strategy of underwriting for profitability, not market share, and continuing to align our capital base with business opportunities."

Results for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 are summarized as follows:  

• Net loss was $17.7 million and the loss per common share was $0.46.
• Net premiums written were $162.0 million and net premiums earned were $185.0 million.
• GAAP combined ratio was 107.8%.
• Net investment income was $30.4 million.
• Net realized gains on investments were $8.5 million.

Results for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 as compared with the quarter ended December 31, 2009 are summarized as follows:

• Net income decreased $108.5 million.
• Net premiums written decreased $38.8 million (or 19.3%) and net premiums earned decreased $42.6 million (or 18.7%).
• GAAP combined ratio increased 30.5 percentage points.
• Net investment income decreased $10.4 million (or 25.5%).
• Net realized gains on investments decreased $16.2 million.

Net premiums written for Platinum's Property and Marine, Casualty and Finite Risk segments for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 were $76.9 million, $82.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively, representing 47.5%, 51.0% and 1.5%, respectively, of total net premiums written. Combined ratios for these segments were 143.6%, 71.2% and 112.8%, respectively. Compared with the quarter ended December 31, 2009, net premiums written decreased $37.5 million (or 32.8%), increased $0.1 million (or 0.1%) and decreased $1.4 million (or 36.6%) in the Property and Marine, Casualty and Finite Risk segments, respectively.

Results for the year ended December 31, 2010 are summarized as follows:  

• Net income was $215.5 million and diluted earnings per common share were $4.78.
• Net premiums written were $760.6 million and net premiums earned were $780.0 million.
• GAAP combined ratio was 86.0%.
• Net investment income was $134.4 million.
• Net realized gains on investments were $107.8 million.

Results for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2009 are summarized as follows:

• Net income decreased $167.8 million (or 43.8%).
• Net premiums written decreased $137.2 million (or 15.3%) and net premiums earned decreased $157.3 million (or 16.8%).
• GAAP combined ratio increased 9.3 percentage points.
• Net investment income decreased $29.6 million (or 18.0%).
• Net realized gains on investments increased $29.2 million.

Net premiums written for Platinum's Property and Marine, Casualty and Finite Risk segments for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $412.7 million, $329.4 million and $18.5 million, respectively, representing 54.3%, 43.3% and 2.4%, respectively, of total net premiums written. Combined ratios for these segments were 104.2%, 62.3% and 117.5%, respectively. Compared with the year ended December 31, 2009, net premiums written decreased $104.3 million (or 20.2%), $27.1 million (or 7.6%) and $5.8 million (or 23.9%) in the Property and Marine, Casualty and Finite Risk segments, respectively.

Total assets were $4.61 billion as of December 31, 2010, a decrease of $407.3 million (or 8.1%) from $5.02 billion as of December 31, 2009. Fixed maturity investments and cash and cash equivalents were $4.21 billion as of December 31, 2010, a decrease of $157.2 million (or 3.6%) from $4.37 billion as of December 31, 2009.

Shareholders' equity was $1.90 billion as of December 31, 2010, a decrease of $182.3 million (or 8.8%) from $2.08 billion as of December 31, 2009.  Book value per common share was $50.20 as of December 31, 2010 based on 37.8 million common shares outstanding, an increase of $4.98 (or 11.0%) from $45.22 as of December 31, 2009 based on 45.9 million common shares outstanding.  During the three months ended December 31, 2010, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 1,685,714 common shares for approximately $75.1 million at a weighted average cost, including commissions, of $44.53 per share.  During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 9,672,231 common shares for approximately $379.7 million at a weighted average cost, including commissions, of $39.25 per share.  Additionally, the Company purchased 6,000,000 options held by The Travelers Companies, Inc. for $98.5 million on October 18, 2010.

The Company also reported that the previously announced purchase of 2,500,000 options held by RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. for $47.9 million closed on January 20, 2011.

During 2011, flooding occurred in large areas of Australia and Cyclone Yasi made landfall in Northern Queensland, Australia.  Based on industry loss estimates, market share analysis, portfolio modeling, a review of individual contracts and discussions with brokers and clients, the Company currently believes the financial impact from these events is likely to fall in the range of $15 million to $30 million. The Company's assessment of its exposure to these events is ongoing and the actual impact of these events on the Company's results may differ materially from the Company's current assessment.  Losses from these events will be reflected in the Company's financial statements for the first quarter of 2011.

Financial Supplement

Platinum has posted a financial supplement on the Financial Reports page of the Investor Relations section of its website (Financial Supplement).  The Financial Supplement provides additional detail regarding the financial performance of Platinum and its business segments.

Teleconference

Platinum will host a teleconference to discuss its financial results on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time.  The call may be accessed by dialing 888-208-1361 (US callers) or 913-312-0950 (international callers), or in a listen-only mode via the Investor Relations section of Platinum's website at www.platinumre.com.  Those who intend to participate in the teleconference should register at least ten minutes in advance to ensure access to the call.

The teleconference will be recorded and a replay will be available from 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 until midnight Eastern time on Wednesday, February 16, 2011.  To access the replay by telephone, dial 888-203-1112 (US callers) or 719-457-0820 (international callers) and specify passcode 9535564. The teleconference will also be archived on the Investor Relations section of Platinum's website at www.platinumre.com for the same period of time.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In presenting the Company's results, management has included and discussed certain financial measures that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Such measures, including segment underwriting income (or loss), related underwriting ratios and book value per common share, are referred to as non-GAAP. These non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. Management believes these measures, which are used to monitor the results of operations, allow for a more complete understanding of the underlying business. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of such measures to the most comparable GAAP figures such as income before income tax expense and total shareholders' equity is presented in the attached financial information in accordance with Regulation G.

About Platinum

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: PTP) is a leading provider of property, casualty and finite risk reinsurance coverages, through reinsurance intermediaries, to a diverse clientele on a worldwide basis.  Platinum operates through its principal subsidiaries in Bermuda and the United States.  For further information, please visit Platinum's website at www.platinumre.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking statements are based on our current plans or expectations that are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies.  These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us.  In particular, statements using words such as "may," "should," "estimate," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "predict," "potential," or words of similar import generally involve forward-looking statements.  The inclusion of forward-looking statements in this press release should not be considered as a representation by us or any other person that our current plans or expectations will be achieved.  Numerous factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, severe natural or man-made catastrophic events, the effectiveness of our loss limitation methods and pricing models, the adequacy of our liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, our ability to maintain our A.M. Best Company, Inc. and Standard & Poor's ratings, our ability to raise capital on acceptable terms if necessary, the cyclicality of the property and casualty reinsurance business, the highly competitive nature of the property and casualty reinsurance industry, our ability to maintain our business relationships with reinsurance brokers, the availability of retrocessional reinsurance on acceptable terms, market volatility and interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuation, tax, regulatory or legal restrictions or limitations applicable to us or the property and casualty reinsurance business generally, general political and economic conditions, including the effects of civil unrest, acts of terrorism, war or a prolonged United States or global economic downturn or recession; and changes in our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations or intentions, which may happen at any time at our discretion. As a consequence, our future financial condition and results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Additionally, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to revise or update forward-looking statements to reflect new information or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of future events.

SOURCE Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.