LOS ANGELES, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mercury General Corporation
(NYSE: MCY) reported today net income of $78.1 million, or $1.43 per share
(diluted), in the second quarter 2004 compared with $43.4 million, or
$0.80 per share (diluted), in the same period for 2003. For the first six
months of 2004, net income was $147.0 million ($2.69 per share-diluted)
compared to net income of $85.5 million ($1.57 per share-diluted) in the same
period for 2003. Included in net income are net realized gains, net of tax,
of $7.9 million ($0.14 per share-diluted) in the second quarter 2004 compared
to net realized losses, net of tax benefit, of $0.1 million ($0.00 per
share-diluted) for the second quarter 2003, and net realized gains, net of
tax, of $11.6 million ($0.21 per share-diluted) for the first six months of
2004 compared to net realized losses, net of tax benefit, of $0.6 million
($0.01 per share-diluted) for the same period in 2003.
Company-wide net premiums written were $648.5 million in the second
quarter 2004, an 18.2% increase over second quarter 2003 net premiums written
of $548.5 million, and were $1,278.7 million for the first six months of 2004,
a 17.6% increase over the same period in 2003. California net premiums
written were $498.7 million in the quarter, an increase of approximately 8.5%
over 2003, and were $998.8 million for the first six months of 2004, a 9.5%
increase over the same period in 2003. Non-California net premiums written
were $149.8 million in the quarter, a 68.5% increase over 2003, and were
$279.9 million for the first six months of 2004, a 60.3% increase over the
same period in 2003. Non-California net premiums written represented
approximately 23.1% of the Company's total second quarter net premiums
written, up from 16.2% in the second quarter of 2003.
The Company's combined ratio (GAAP basis) was 88.3% in the second quarter
and 88.7% for the first six months of 2004 compared with 94.3% for both the
second quarter and the six month period in 2003. Rate increases taken during
2003 and positive development of approximately $25 million for the six month
period ended June 30, 2004 on the 2003 and prior accident year loss reserves
contributed to the improvement in the combined ratio.
Net investment income of $26.2 million (after tax $23.2 million) in the
second quarter of 2004 decreased by 1.9% compared to the same period in 2003.
The after-tax yield on investment income was 3.6% on average assets of $2.6
billion (fixed maturities and equities at cost) for the quarter. This
compares with an after tax yield on investment income of 4.2% on average
investments of $2.3 billion (fixed maturities and equities at cost) for the
same period in 2003.
In June 2004, the Company began writing private passenger automobile
insurance in Pennsylvania, marking the eleventh state in which the Company
writes automobile insurance.
On July 30, 2004, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of
$0.37 per share for the second quarter, representing a 12% increase over the
quarterly dividend amount paid in 2003. The dividend is to be paid on
September 30, 2004 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2004. The
Company's book value per share at June 30, 2004 was $24.29.
Mercury General Corporation and its subsidiaries are a multiple line
insurance organization offering predominantly personal automobile and
homeowners insurance through a network of independent agents and brokers in
many states. For more information, visit our website at
http://www.mercuryinsurance.com. The Company will be hosting a conference call and
webcast today at 10:00 A.M. Pacific time where management will discuss results
and address questions. The teleconference and webcast can be accessed by
calling (877) 807-1888 or by visiting http://www.mercuryinsurance.com. A replay of
the call will be available beginning at 1:30 P.M. Pacific time and running
through August 9, 2004. The replay telephone numbers are (800) 642-1687 (USA)
or (706) 645-9291 (International). The conference ID# is 8698528. The replay
will also be available on the Company's website shortly following the call.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe
harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. The statements contained in
this press release are forward-looking statements based on the Company's
current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their
potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that future
developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by the Company.
Actual results may differ from those projected in the forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and
uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the Company) and are
subject to change based upon various factors, including but not limited to the
following risks and uncertainties: changes in the demand for the Company's
insurance products, and in general economic conditions; the accuracy and
adequacy of the Company's pricing methodologies; market risks associated with
the Company's investment portfolio; uncertainties related to estimates,
assumptions and projections generally; the possibility actual loss experience
may vary adversely from the actuarial estimates made to determine the
Company's loss reserves; inflation and changes in economic conditions; the
Company's ability to obtain and the timing of regulatory approval for
requested rate changes; legislation adverse to the automobile insurance
industry or business generally that may be enacted in California or other
states; the presence of competitors with greater financial resources and the
impact of competitive pricing; changes in driving patterns and loss trends;
acts of war and terrorist activities; court decisions and trends in litigation
and health care and auto repair costs and marketing efforts; and various
legal, regulatory and litigation risks. The Company undertakes no obligation
to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the
result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a more detailed
discussion of some of the foregoing risks and uncertainties, see the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Mercury General Corporation
Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures
The Company has presented information within this document containing
operating measures which in management's opinion provide investors useful
industry specific information to evaluate and perform meaningful comparisons
of the Company's performance but that may not be presented in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). These measures are not
intended to replace, and should be read in conjunction with, the GAAP
financial results. The Company has reconciled these measures with the most
directly comparable GAAP measure in the supplemental schedule entitled,
"Summary of Operating Results."
Net Premiums Written represents the premiums charged on policies issued
during a fiscal period. Net Premiums Earned, the most directly comparable
GAAP measure, represents the portion of premiums written that is recognized as
income in the financial statements for the periods presented and earned on a
pro-rata basis over the term of the policies. Net Premiums Written is meant
as supplemental information and is not intended to replace Net Premiums
Earned. It should be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial results.
Paid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses is the portion of Incurred Losses
and Loss Adjustment Expenses, the most directly comparable GAAP measure,
excluding the effects of changes in the loss reserve accounts. Paid Losses
and Loss Adjustment Expenses is meant as supplemental information and is not
intended to replace Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses. It should
be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial results.
Mercury General Corporation and Subsidiaries
Summary of Operating Results
(000's) except per share amounts
(unaudited)
Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2004 2003 2004 2003
Net premiums written $648,449 $548,451 $1,278,732 $1,087,201
Net premiums earned 620,432 525,072 1,212,369 1,025,738
Paid losses and loss
adjustment expenses 348,993 333,126 711,899 653,725
Incurred losses and loss
adjustment expenses 380,526 357,565 752,522 699,111
Net investment income 26,212 26,718 51,940 53,644
Net realized investment gains
(losses), net of tax 7,876 (112) 11,564 (606)
Net income $78,134 $43,372 $146,950 $85,480
Basic average shares
outstanding 54,459 54,403 54,445 54,391
Diluted average shares
outstanding 54,628 54,547 54,616 54,518
Basic Per Share Data
Net income $1.43 $0.80 $2.70 $1.57
Net realized investment gains
(losses), net of tax $0.14 $0.00 $0.21 ($0.01)
Diluted Per Share Data
Net income $1.43 $0.80 $2.69 $1.57
Net realized investment gains
(losses), net of tax $0.14 $0.00 $0.21 ($0.01)
Operating Ratios -- GAAP (a)
Basis
Loss ratio 61.3% 68.1% 62.1% 68.1%
Expense ratio 27.0% 26.2% 26.6% 26.2%
Combined ratio 88.3% 94.3% 88.7% 94.3%
Reconciliations of Operating
Measures to Comparable GAAP
(a) Measures
Net premiums written $648,449 $548,451 $1,278,732 $1,087,201
Increase in unearned premiums (28,017) (23,379) (66,363) (61,463)
Net premiums earned $620,432 $525,072 $1,212,369 $1,025,738
Paid losses and loss
adjustment expenses $348,993 $333,126 $711,899 $653,725
Increase in net losses and
loss adjustment expense
reserves 31,533 24,439 40,623 45,386
Incurred losses and loss
adjustment expenses $380,526 $357,565 $752,522 $699,111
(a) Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Mercury General Corporation and Subsidiaries
Other Supplemental Information
(000's) except ratios
(unaudited)
Quarter ending, Six Months Ended,
June 30, June 30,
2004 2003 2004 2003
Total California Operations (1)
Net Premiums Written $498,697 $459,564 $998,795 $912,511
Net Premiums Earned 495,137 443,821 979,919 866,834
Loss Ratio 60.7% 68.5% 62.0% 69.3%
Expense Ratio 26.0% 25.5% 25.9% 25.5%
Combined Ratio 86.7% 94.0% 87.9% 94.8%
California Automobile lines
Net Premiums Written $450,959 $421,092 $912,952 $842,066
Net Premiums Earned 454,548 412,500 902,344 806,423
Loss Ratio 62.7% 69.0% 63.7% 69.7%
Expense Ratio 26.1% 25.1% 25.9% 25.1%
Combined Ratio 88.8% 94.1% 89.6% 94.8%
California Homeowners line
Net Premiums Written $39,725 $31,850 $71,751 $58,389
Net Premiums Earned 33,375 25,953 64,843 49,944
Loss Ratio 35.7% 58.7% 41.4% 64.2%
Expense Ratio 24.5% 25.8% 25.1% 26.0%
Combined Ratio 60.2% 84.5% 66.5% 90.2%
Non-California Operations (2)
Net Premiums Written $149,752 $88,887 $279,937 $174,690
Net Premiums Earned 125,295 81,251 232,450 158,904
Loss Ratio 64.0% 65.6% 62.1% 62.1%
Expense Ratio 30.6% 29.9% 29.8% 29.7%
Combined Ratio 94.6% 95.5% 91.9% 91.8%
At At
June 30, June 30,
Policies-in-force (000's) 2004 2003
California Personal Auto 1,048 1,009
California Commercial Auto 21 19
Non-California Personal Auto 252 160
California Homeowners 202 169
Florida Homeowners 13 8
All ratios are calculated on GAAP basis.
(1) Total California operations includes homeowners, auto, commercial
property and other immaterial California business lines
(2) Includes all states except California
Mercury General Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Balance Sheet and Other Information
(000's) except per-share amounts
June 30, 2004 December 31, 2003
(unaudited)
Investments - available for sale
Fixed maturities at market
(amortized cost $2,118,544 in 2004
and $1,856,083 in 2003) $2,164,629 $1,945,309
Equity securities at market (cost
$209,805 in 2004 and $223,113 in
2003) 232,227 264,393
Short-term cash investments, at
cost, which approximates market 302,534 329,812
Total investments 2,699,390 2,539,514
Net receivables 331,951 299,094
Deferred policy acquisition costs 146,436 132,059
Other assets 160,963 149,099
Total assets $3,338,740 $3,119,766
Loss and loss adjustment expenses $837,145 $797,927
Unearned premiums 727,414 663,004
Other liabilities 326,048 278,618
Notes payable 124,729 124,714
Shareholders' equity 1,323,404 1,255,503
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity $3,338,740 $3,119,766
Common stock - shares outstanding 54,482 54,424
Book value per share $24.29 $23.07
Statutory surplus $1.25 billion $1.17 billion
Portfolio duration 3.5 years 3.8 years
SOURCE Mercury General Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.mercuryinsurance.com
CONTACT:
Theodore Stalick, VP/CFO of Mercury General
Corporation, +1-323-937-1060
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