Post-Earnings Analysis - XL Group

LONDON, March 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Editor Note: For more information about this release, please scroll to bottom.

Investor-Edge.com has issued free post-earnings analysis on XL Group PLC (NYSE: XL). On February 02, 2015, the company reported its financial results for Q4 FY14 and full year FY14 (period ended December 31, 2014). Click on http://get.Investor-Edge.com/pdf/?c=XL%20Group&d=04-Mar-2015&s=XL to read our free earnings review on XL GROUP Public Limited Company (XL Group). The company's total adjusted revenues came in at $1.66 billion for Q4 FY14 and $6.98 billion for FY14. CEO of XL Group, Mike McGavick, stated that the company delivered a very strong 2014 including continued progress in Insurance and an extraordinary year in Reinsurance. Many of the results achieved were the best in over fifteen years, including the company's property and casualty combined ratio of 88.2%, he added. Our free coverage report can be accessed at:

http://get.Investor-Edge.com/pdf/?c=XL%20Group&d=04-Mar-2015&s=XL

Earnings Overview 

During Q4 FY14, XL Group's total adjusted revenues fell by $247.51 million from $1.91 billion in Q4 FY13. However, the company's Q4 FY14 total adjusted revenue outperformed Bloomberg analysts' expectations of $1.64 billion. XL Group's P&C (Property and Casualty) gross premiums written in Q4 FY14 increased 11.2% to $1.62 billion from $1.46 billion in Q4 FY13. Moreover, the company's P&C net premiums written increased by 11.7% Y-o-Y to $1.20 billion in Q4 FY14. The P&C combined ratio for Q4 FY14 was 84.5% compared to 93.3% in Q4 FY13. Free research on XL can be downloaded in PDF format at:

http://get.Investor-Edge.com/pdf/?c=XL%20Group&d=04-Mar-2015&s=XL

In Q4 FY14, XL Group's operating net income improved to $293.93 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, from $286.88 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, in Q4 FY13. The company reported net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of $139.50 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, in Q4 FY14 compared to $300.78 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, in Q4 FY13. Bloomberg analysts had expected net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of $229.67 million, or $0.90 per diluted share for the reported quarter.

During Q4 FY14, XL Group repurchased 5.2 million ordinary shares for $175.0 million at an average price of $33.82 per share, which was accretive to fully diluted tangible book value per ordinary share by $0.09.  As of December 31, 2014, the company had $267.6 million of ordinary shares available for purchase under its share buyback program. Sign up and read the free analyst's notes on XL at:

http://get.Investor-Edge.com/pdf/?c=XL%20Group&d=04-Mar-2015&s=XL

In FY14, XL Group's total adjusted revenues declined $564.79 million from $7.54 billion in FY13. However, FY14 total adjusted revenues outperformed Bloomberg analysts' forecast of $6.83 billion. The company's FY14 net income attributable to ordinary shareholders stood at $188.34 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, compared to $1.06 billion, or $3.63 per diluted share, in FY13. Bloomberg analysts had expected FY14 net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of $311.14 million, or $1.00 per diluted share.  

As of December 31, 2014, the company's fully diluted tangible book value per ordinary share came in at $36.79, an increase of $2.93, or 8.7%, from $33.86 as of December 31, 2013.

Mr. McGavick said that the insurance results included a 2014 combined ratio of 94.4%, the best performance since 2007, and a loss ratio of 63.2%. He also informed that reinsurance segment achieved a stellar 73.3% combined ratio, another one of its best performances. Visit Investor-Edge and access the latest research on XL at:

http://get.Investor-Edge.com/pdf/?c=XL%20Group&d=04-Mar-2015&s=XL

Stock Performance  

On the day following the earnings release, February 03, 2015, XL Group's stock edged 0.20% lower finishing the session at $35.14. Since then, the stock has moved both ways with gains outperforming losses. However, on the last close, Tuesday, March 03, 2015, the company's shares ended 0.88% lower at $36.22. The company's shares vacillated between $36.05 and $36.52 during the session. A total of 3.15 million shares were traded which was above their three months average volume of 2.88 million shares. Over the last one month and previous three months, XL Group's shares have advanced 3.07% and 1.51%, respectively. Further, the stock has surged 20.29% over the past one year. Shares in the company closed above their 50-day and 200-day moving averages of $35.17 and $33.90, respectively.

Sneak Peek to Corporate Insider Trading  

In the last one month, there were five corporate insider transactions done by five individuals. Between February 10, 2015 and February 28, 2015, a total of 27,409 shares have been disposed at an average price of $36.14 per share and for a total value of $990,474. The following are few of the abovementioned transactions: on February 10, 2015, John M. Vereker, Director at XL Group, sold 3,600 shares at an average price of $35.72 per share. On February 28, 2015, Gregory S. Hendrick, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive, Insurance Operations at XL Group, and Sarah E. Street, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, and Chief Executive Officer, XL Group Investments LLC, disposed 9,071 and 7,732 shares, respectively, at an average price of $36.20 per share. Complimentary in-depth research on XL is available at:

http://get.Investor-Edge.com/pdf/?c=XL%20Group&d=04-Mar-2015&s=XL

About Investor-Edge.com 

At Investor-Edge, we provide our members with a simple and reliable way to leverage our economy of scale. Most investors do not have time to track all publicly traded companies, much less perform an in-depth review and analysis of the complexities contained in each situation. That's where Investor-Edge comes in. We provide a single unified platform for investors' to hear about what matters. Situation alerts, moving events, and upcoming opportunities.

===============

EDITOR'S NOTES:

===============

1. This is not company news. We are an independent source and our views do not reflect the companies mentioned.

2. Information in this release is produced on a best efforts basis by Rohit Tuli, a CFA charterholder. The content is then further fact checked and reviewed by an outsourced research provider. However, we are only human and are prone to make mistakes. If you notice any errors or omissions, please notify us below.

3. This information is submitted as a net-positive to companies mentioned, to increase awareness for mentioned companies to our subscriber base and the investing public.

4. If you wish to have your company covered in more detail by our team, or wish to learn more about our services, please contact us at pubco [at] http://www.investor-edge.com.

5. For any urgent concerns or inquiries, please contact us at compliance [at] http://www.investor-edge.com.

6. Are you a public company? Would you like to see similar coverage on your company? Send us a full investors' package to research [at] http://www.investor-edge.com for consideration.

COMPLIANCE PROCEDURE

Content is researched, written and reviewed on a best-effort basis. This document, article or report is prepared and authored by Investor-Edge, represented by Rohit Tuli, CFA. An outsourced research services provider has only reviewed the information provided by Investor-Edge in this article or report according to the procedures outlined by Investor-Edge. Investor-Edge is not entitled to veto or interfere in the application of such procedures by the outsourced provider to the articles, documents or reports, as the case may be.

NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE

Investor-Edge makes no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness or fitness for a purpose (investment or otherwise), of the information provided in this document. This information is not to be construed as personal financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult their personal financial advisor before making any decisions to buy, sell or hold any securities mentioned herein.

NO WARRANTY OR LIABILITY ASSUMED

Investor-Edge is not responsible for any error which may be occasioned at the time of printing of this document or any error, mistake or shortcoming. No liability is accepted by Investor-Edge whatsoever for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of this document. Investor-Edge expressly disclaims any fiduciary responsibility or liability for any consequences, financial or otherwise arising from any reliance placed on the information in this document. Investor-Edge does not (1) guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or correct sequencing of the information, or (2) warrant any results from use of the information. The included information is subject to change without notice.

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

SOURCE Investor-Edge