ProSight Global, Inc. Reports 2019 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Feb. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ProSight Global, Inc. (NYSE: PROS) (ProSight) today reported results for the fourth quarter of 2019. 

Highlights for the three months ended December 31, 2019 include:

• Gross written premiums ("GWP") for customer segments ⁽²⁾ increased 19.1%, to $249.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, with growth in GWP across all customer segments.  The growth in the fourth quarter of 2019 included $4.4 million of GWP from niches added during 2019.
• The combined ratio was 97.2% for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to 95.1% for the fourth quarter of 2018.
• There were no catastrophe losses for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $3.6 million of catastrophe losses (1.8 percentage points) for the fourth quarter of 2018.
• The loss ratio was 61.9% for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to 58.6% for the fourth quarter of 2018. The adjusted loss ratio ⁽³⁾ was 61.5% for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to 58.6% for the fourth quarter of 2018. 
• The expense ratio was 35.3% for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to 36.5% for the fourth quarter of 2018.  The adjusted expense ratio ⁽³⁾ was 35.7% for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to 36.5% for the fourth quarter of 2018. 
• Net investment income increased 37.1% to $17.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to the fourth quarter of 2018.
• The annualized return on equity ("ROE") was 11.0% for the fourth quarter of 2019 and the annualized adjusted operating return on equity ⁽⁴⁾ ("adjusted operating ROE") was 11.9% for the fourth quarter of 2019.

Highlights for the year ended December 31, 2019 include:

• Gross written premiums for customer segments ⁽²⁾ increased 16.7%, to $899.8 million for the full year 2019 compared to the full year 2018, with growth in GWP across all customer segments.  The growth in the year included $21.0 million of GWP from niches added during 2019.
• The combined ratio was 98.0% for the full year 2019 compared to 96.7% for the full year 2018.
• There were $3.0 million of catastrophe losses (0.4 percentage points) for the full year 2019 compared to $3.6 million of catastrophe losses (0.5 percentage points) for the full year 2018.
• The loss ratio was 62.0% for the full year 2019 compared to 59.5% for the full year 2018. The adjusted loss ratio ⁽³⁾ was 61.4% for full year 2019 compared to 59.6% for the full year 2018. 
• The expense ratio was 36.0% for the full year 2019 compared to 37.2% for the full year 2018.  The adjusted expense ratio ⁽³⁾ was 36.6% for the full year 2019 compared to 37.0% for the full year 2018. 
• Net investment income increased 23.1% to $68.9 million for the full year 2019 compared to the full year  2018.
• Fully diluted book value per share grew by 21.6% to $12.01, for the year ended December 31, 2019. 
• The return on equity was 9.8% for the full year 2019, and the adjusted operating return on equity  ⁽⁴⁾ was 12.4% for the full year 2019.

From ProSight CEO Larry Hannon:

"I would like to thank all of our employees who contributed to our exceptional fourth quarter and full-year results.  Coupled with the strong support of our distribution partners, the ProSight team delivered excellent financial results consistent with our high expectations, including strong net income from continuing operations, and record-level annual GWP and adjusted operating income.  Our success in 2019 is further evidence that our focus on specific niches and ability to deliver differentiated offerings that are valuable to our customers position us to deliver double-digit top line growth, ROE, and increases in book value over the long term.  As we enter 2020, I believe we are poised to build upon last year's achievements and success."

Results of Operations for the three months ended December 31, 2019

Net income from continuing operations was $14.7 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $13.5 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2018. Adjusted operating income ⁽¹⁾ was $16.0 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $15.7 million, or $0.40  per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2018.

GWP including Other ⁽²⁾, increased 12.7% for the fourth quarter of 2019 when compared to the fourth quarter of 2018. GWP ⁽²⁾ from customer segments was $249.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $209.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, an increase of 19.1%. The growth was largest within the Transportation, Real Estate and Consumer Services customer segments.  Other GWP ⁽²⁾ were $0.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $12.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, the decrease driven by the exit from excess workers' compensation. 

Underwriting income ⁽¹⁾ was $5.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $9.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2018.  The combined ratio for the fourth quarter of 2019 was 97.2% compared to 95.1% for the fourth quarter of 2018.  The decrease in underwriting income ⁽¹⁾ was due to changes in:

• The loss ratio was 61.9% for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 58.6% for the fourth quarter of 2018.  Excluding the effect of the whole account quota share reinsurance agreements (the "WAQS"), the adjusted loss ratio ⁽³⁾ was 61.5% for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 58.6% for the fourth quarter of 2018.  
  
  The adjusted loss ratio ⁽³⁾ for the fourth quarter of 2019 included a current accident year loss ratio (excluding catastrophe losses) of 61.5% compared to a current accident year loss ratio (excluding catastrophe losses) of 57.3% in the fourth quarter of 2018.  There were no catastrophe losses in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $3.6 million of catastrophe losses (1.8 percentage points) in the fourth quarter of 2018. The adjusted loss ratio ⁽³⁾ for the fourth quarter of 2019 included $0.1 million (0.0 percentage points) of favorable prior accident year loss development compared to $1.0 million (0.5 percentage points) of favorable prior accident year loss development in the fourth quarter of 2018.
  
  
• The expense ratio was 35.3% for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 36.5% in the fourth quarter of 2018.   Excluding the effect of the WAQS, the adjusted expense ratio ⁽³⁾ was 35.7% for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 36.5% in the fourth quarter of 2018.  Excluding the WAQS, the policy acquisition expense ratio was 23.0% in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 23.6% in the fourth quarter of 2018 and general & administrative expense ratio was 12.7% in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 12.9% in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Net investment income increased by 37.1% to $17.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, from $12.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2018.  The increase in net investment income was driven by an increase in the size of the investment portfolio and improved performance of limited partnerships. The net annualized yield on average invested assets at book value was 3.3% for the fourth quarter of 2019 and 2.7% for the fourth quarter of 2018.  Realized investment gains, net, for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $0.3 million compared to realized investment losses, net, of $2.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2018.

Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2019

Net income from continuing operations was $45.5 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, for the full year 2019 compared to $53.7 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, for the full year 2018.  The decrease in net income resulted from an increase in other expenses of $16.2 million, primarily due to vesting of non-recurring grants of restricted stock units in connection with the initial public offering and costs related to the departure of our former CEO.  Adjusted operating income ⁽¹⁾ was $57.6 million, or $1.39 per diluted share for the full year 2019 compared to $55.3 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, for the full year 2018.

GWP including Other ⁽²⁾, increased 8.1% for the full year 2019 when compared to the full year 2018. GWP ⁽²⁾ from customer segments was $899.8 million for the full year 2019 compared to $770.9 million for the full year 2018, an increase of 16.7%. The growth was largest within the Real Estate, Consumer Services and Transportation customer segments.  Other GWP ⁽²⁾ were $68.2 million for the full year 2019 compared to $124.2 million for the full year 2018, the decrease driven by the exit from excess workers' compensation.

Underwriting income ⁽¹⁾ was $16.4 million for the full year 2019 compared to $24.4 million for the full year 2018.  The combined ratio for the full year 2019 was 98.0% compared to 96.7% for the full year 2018.  The decrease in underwriting income ⁽¹⁾ was due to changes in:

• The loss ratio was 62.0% for the full year 2019 compared to 59.5% for the full year 2018.  Excluding the effect of the WAQS, the adjusted loss ratio ⁽³⁾ was 61.4% for the full year 2019 compared to 59.6% for the full year 2018. 
  
  The adjusted loss ratio ⁽³⁾ for the full year 2019 included a current accident year loss ratio (excluding catastrophe losses) of 61.2% compared to a current accident year loss ratio (excluding catastrophe losses) of 59.8% for the full year 2018.  There were $3.0 million of catastrophe losses (0.4 percentage points) for the full year 2019 compared to $3.6 million of catastrophe losses (0.5 percentage points) in the full year 2018. The adjusted loss ratio ⁽³⁾ for the full year 2019 also included $1.6 million (0.2 percentage points) of favorable prior accident year loss development compared to $5.0 million (0.7 percentage points) of favorable prior accident year loss development in the full year 2018.
  
  
• The expense ratio was 36.0% for the full year 2019 compared to 37.2% for the full year 2018.   Excluding the effect of the WAQS, the adjusted expense ratio ⁽³⁾ was 36.6% for the full year 2019 compared to 37.0% for the full year 2018.  Excluding the WAQS, the policy acquisition expense ratio was 23.5% for the full year 2019 compared to 23.6% for the full year 2018 and general & administrative expense ratio was 13.1% for the full year 2019 compared to 13.4% for the full year 2018.

Net investment income increased by 23.1% to $68.9 million for the full year 2019, from $56.0 million for the full year 2018.  The increase in net investment income was driven by an increase in the size of the investment portfolio and improved performance of limited partnerships. Total invested assets at book value were $2.2 billion at December 31, 2019, growth of 20.3%, from $1.8 billion at December 31, 2018. The net yield on average invested assets at book value was 3.4% for the full year 2019 and 3.2% for the full year 2018.  Realized investment gains, net, for the full year 2019 were $0.8 million compared to realized investment losses, net, of $1.6 million for the full year 2018.

Total stockholders' equity was $543.0 million as of December 31, 2019, compared to $389.8 million as of December 31, 2018.  Tangible stockholders' equity ⁽⁵⁾ was $513.8 million as of December 31, 2019, compared $360.6 million as of December 31, 2018. The increases in total stockholders' equity and tangible stockholders' equity ⁽⁵⁾ were driven by an increase in other comprehensive income of $59.8 million, proceeds from common stock sold in the initial public offering of $50.8 million and net income of $38.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.  Fully diluted book value per share grew by 21.6% to $12.01 at December 31, 2019, compared to $9.88 at December 31, 2018. Fully diluted tangible book value per share ⁽⁵⁾ increased by 24.4% to $11.37 at December 31, 2019, compared to $9.14 at December 31, 2018.

Conference Call

As previously announced, on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. EST, ProSight senior management will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2019 financial results. The call will be available via webcast at https://investors.prosightspecialty.com or by dialing (866) 497-6416 (within the United States) or (825) 312-2248 (international), using the passcode 2172418.  A replay of the call will be available at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2020, and can be accessed by dialing (800) 585-8367 or (416) 621-4642, using the passcode 2172418. The webcast will be available one hour after the call concludes and will be archived on ProSight's website for one year.

About ProSight

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, ProSight Global, Inc. is an innovative property and casualty insurance company that designs unique insurance solutions to help customers improve their business and realize value from their insurance purchasing decision. The company focuses on select niche industries, deploying differentiated underwriting and claims expertise with the goal of enhancing each customer's operating performance.  ProSight's products are sold through a limited and select group of retail and wholesale distribution partners.  Each of ProSight's regulated insurance company subsidiaries are rated "A-" (Excellent) by A.M. Best. ProSight's shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the ticker symbol PROS. To learn more about ProSight visit www.prosightspecialty.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to future developments in ProSight business or expectations for ProSight's future financial performance and any statement not involving a historical fact. Forward-looking statements use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "should," "seek," "continue," and other words and terms of similar meaning.  ProSight's management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the time made.  However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made.  Except as required by law, ProSight undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.  Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond our control. ProSight cautions you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes and that actual performance and outcomes may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this release.  For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect ProSight's future results and financial condition, see our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties included under the captions "Risk Factors" in ProSight's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2019 filed on February 24, 2020.  References to "we," "us," "our," the "Company" and "ProSight", refer to ProSight Global, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Reorganization

ProSight was incorporated in Delaware in 2010.  Prior to July 25, 2019, ProSight was a wholly-owned subsidiary of ProSight Global Holdings Limited ("PGHL"), a Bermuda holding company.  Effective July 25, 2019, PGHL merged with and into ProSight, with ProSight surviving the merger. As a result of the merger, all shares of PGHL then outstanding were converted into the right to receive, without interest, 6.46 shares of ProSight for each share of PGHL.  The historical share and per share figures contained in this release relating to periods prior to and including June 30, 2019 have been restated to give effect to this conversion, including reclassifying an amount equal to the change in value of common stock to additional paid-in capital, as of the stated period or date.  Further details regarding this merger and related reorganization transactions are included in ProSight's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2019 filed on February 24, 2020.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In presenting ProSight Global, Inc.'s results, management has included financial measures that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such measures, including underwriting income, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating return on equity, adjusted loss excluding WAQS, adjusted expense ratio excluding WAQS, adjusted combined ratio excluding WAQS and tangible stockholders' equity are referred to as non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those measures determined in accordance with GAAP.  Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP figures are included at the end of this press release.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure that we believe is useful in evaluating our underwriting performance without regard to investment income. Underwriting income represents the pre-tax profitability of our insurance operations and is derived by subtracting losses and LAE, and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses from net earned premiums. We use underwriting income as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives us and users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance. Underwriting income should not be considered in isolation or viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may calculate underwriting income differently.

Net income for the three months and years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 reconciles to underwriting income as follows: