Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2007 Results
Monday February 25, 8:00 am ET
FREMONT, Mich., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (Fremont) (OTC Bulletin Board: FMMH - News) today announced net income of $2.4 million or $1.36 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2007, Fremont generated net income of $4.9 million or $2.77 per diluted share. At December 31, 2007, Fremont's book value per share was $22.82 based on 1,727,456 shares outstanding, an increase of 14.4% from $19.95 at December 31, 2006.
Fremont generated net income of $3.4 million or $1.90 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2006 and net income of $7.2 million or $4.10 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2006.
"Fremont Insurance produced a solid underwriting profit supported by exceptional top line growth in 2007 despite the soft market and sluggish Michigan economy," said Richard E. Dunning, President and CEO. "Our 2007 net income represents a return on beginning shareholders' equity (ROE) of 14.2% which exceeds the Company's ROE goal of 12 - 14%. The strong relationship and support of our 175 agencies across the state of Michigan is very evident and is further enhanced by the talent and service of Company personnel."
Consolidated Statement of Income
Quarter Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Direct premiums
written $13,564,772 $12,555,235 $53,956,318 $48,869,232
Net premiums
written $10,952,595 $10,284,119 $44,003,623 $40,263,135
Net premiums earned $11,033,800 $10,109,076 $42,773,737 $39,249,248
Loss and LAE 4,739,271 2,580,772 24,424,346 17,564,611
Policy acquisition
and other
underwriting expenses 4,235,825 3,467,668 15,896,842 13,599,846
Underwriting gain 2,058,704 4,060,636 2,452,549 8,084,791
Other revenue
(expense) items
Net investment
income 628,308 582,583 2,165,070 1,887,719
Net realized gains
on investments 531,711 224,341 1,977,742 519,835
Other income 133,448 111,940 471,601 417,392
Interest expense - (50,580) (146,170) (228,403)
Total other revenue
(expense) items 1,293,467 868,284 4,468,243 2,596,543
Income before federal
income taxes 3,352,171 4,928,920 6,920,792 10,681,334
Federal income
tax expense (952,358) (1,576,441) (2,036,434) (3,466,001)
Net income $2,399,813 $3,352,479 $4,884,358 $7,215,333
Loss and LAE ratio 42.9% 25.5% 57.1% 44.8%
Policy acquisition and
other underwriting
expense ratio 38.4% 34.3% 37.2% 34.6%
Combined ratio 81.3% 59.8% 94.3% 79.4%
Underwriting
Direct premiums written increased 8.0% and 10.4% during the quarter and year ended December 31, 2007, respectively, while net premiums earned increased 9.1% and 9.0% for the same periods, respectively. The bulk of the premium growth came from personal auto and homeowner policies.
Our loss and LAE ratio for the fourth quarter 2007 was a more normal 42.9% compared to the record setting 25.5% in the 2006 quarter and 57.1% for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 44.8% for the same period in 2006. The differential in loss ratios for the 2007 quarter and year as compared to 2006 is driven by the exceptional results generated in 2006 which was a year highlighted by the lowest loss ratios in recorded history.
The underwriting expense ratio was 38.4% for the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to 34.3% in the 2006 quarter. The 2007 year-end underwriting expense ratio was 37.2% compared to 34.6% for 2006. The 2007 expense ratio was impacted by the following items: a non-recurring increase in assessments from state mandated pools and associations, non-recurring state tax refunds received during 2006, increased agent incentives and increased depreciation associated with the Company's investment in its technology infrastructure.
During the fourth quarter 2007, the Company generated a combined ratio of 81.3%. For the year ended December 31, 2007, Fremont's combined ratio was 94.3%. The combined ratio was 59.8% and 79.4% during the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.
"Given the market conditions we are very pleased with our 2007 underwriting results. We continue to focus on generating profitable top line growth which is evident in our 2007 written premium increase of 10.4% and a combined ratio of 94.3%," said Kevin Kaastra, Vice President of Finance. "Based on historical data, a combined ratio in the mid-nineties is very desirable and our 2007 results should place the Company in the top quartile of peer companies."
Investments
Net investment income increased 7.8% to $628,000 for the fourth quarter 2007 and 14.7% to $2,165,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase is driven by a higher tax equivalent book yield in the fixed portfolio coupled with increased interest income from short-term investments held during 2007 in anticipation of the September 30, 2007 repayment of the Company's surplus notes.
The tax equivalent book yield in the fixed portfolio has increased 46 basis points to 5.33% at December 31, 2007 compared to 4.87% as of December 31, 2006. Fremont's investment portfolio does not have exposure related to sub-prime securities. Our fixed portfolio has an overall average rating of AA+.
Forward Looking Statement
Certain of the statements contained herein (other than statements of historical facts) are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include estimates and assumptions related to economic, competitive and legislative developments. These forward- looking statements are subject to change and uncertainty that are, in many instances, beyond the company's control and have been made based upon management's expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc.
There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with management's expectations so that the effect of future developments on Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. will be those anticipated by management. Actual financial results including premium growth and underwriting results could differ materially from those anticipated by Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. depending on the outcome of certain factors, which may include changes in property and casualty loss trends and reserves; catastrophe losses; the insurance product pricing environment; changes in applicable law; government regulation and changes therein that may impede the ability to charge adequate rates; change in accounting principles; performance of the financial markets; fluctuations in interest rates; availability and price of reinsurance; and the status of the labor markets in which the company operates.
FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
December 31, December 31,
Assets 2007 2006
Investments:
Fixed maturities available for sale,
at fair value $50,528,874 $44,959,266
Equity securities available for sale,
at fair value 8,305,133 11,689,756
Mortgage loans on real estate from
related parties 253,656 260,808
Total investments 59,087,663 56,909,830
Cash and cash equivalents 4,033,158 4,598,843
Premiums due from policyholders, net 7,852,730 7,528,683
Amounts due from reinsurers 6,588,847 7,883,153
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 258,875 404,016
Accrued investment income 533,843 447,411
Deferred policy acquisition costs 3,334,001 3,235,383
Deferred federal income taxes 2,920,648 3,070,713
Property and equipment, net of
accumulated depreciation 2,500,988 1,771,323
Other assets 43,905 28,078
$87,154,658 $85,877,433
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses $18,058,919 $20,176,555
Unearned premiums 22,727,515 21,463,019
Reinsurance balances payable 199,463 50,313
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 6,742,803 6,867,081
Surplus notes - 2,890,288
Total liabilities 47,728,700 51,447,256
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, no par value, authorized
4,500,000 shares, no shares issued
and outstanding - -
Class A common stock, no par value,
authorized 5,000,000 shares,
1,727,456 and 1,725,456 shares issued
and outstanding at December 31, 2007
and 2006, respectively - -
Class B common stock, no par value,
authorized 500,000 shares,
no shares issued and outstanding - -
Additional paid-in capital 7,722,424 7,605,096
Retained earnings 30,395,771 25,511,413
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,307,763 1,313,668
Total stockholders' equity 39,425,958 34,430,177
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $87,154,658 $85,877,433
FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Revenues:
Net premiums earned $11,033,800 $10,109,076 $42,773,737 $39,249,248
Net investment
income 628,308 582,583 2,165,070 1,887,719
Net realized gains
(losses) on
investments 531,711 224,341 1,977,742 519,835
Other income, net 133,448 111,940 471,601 417,392
Total revenues 12,327,267 11,027,940 47,388,150 42,074,194
Expenses:
Losses and loss
adjustment
expenses, net 4,739,271 2,580,772 24,424,346 17,564,611
Policy acquisition
and other
underwriting
expenses 4,235,825 3,467,668 15,896,842 13,599,846
Interest expense - 50,580 146,170 228,403
Total expenses 8,975,096 6,099,020 40,467,358 31,392,860
Income before
federal income
tax expense 3,352,171 4,928,920 6,920,792 10,681,334
Federal income
tax expense 952,358 1,576,441 2,036,434 3,466,001
Net income $2,399,813 $3,352,479 $4,884,358 $7,215,333
Earnings per share
Basic $1.39 $1.94 $2.83 $4.18
Diluted $1.36 $1.90 $2.77 $4.10
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Source: Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc.
