Donegal Group Inc. Announces First Quarter 2021 Results

April 26, 2021

MARIETTA, Pa., April 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Donegal Group Inc. (NASDAQ: DGICA) and (NASDAQ: DGICB) today reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2021.

Highlights for First Quarter of 2021 (all comparisons to first quarter of 2020):

  • Net income of $10.5 million, or 35 cents per diluted Class A share, compared to $3.7 million, or 13 cents per diluted Class A share
  • Net premiums earned of $187.3 million, virtually unchanged
  • Net premiums written1 increased 8.9% to $215.9 million
  • Combined ratio of 98.5%, compared to 97.0%
  • Net income included after-tax net investment gains of $2.0 million, or 6 cents per diluted Class A share, compared to net investment losses of $8.4 million, or 29 cents per diluted Class A share
  • Annualized return on average equity of 8.0%, compared to 3.3%
  • Book value per share of $17.29 at March 31, 2021, compared to $15.92

Summary of First Quarter Results

           
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2021   2020   % Change
   
  (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
           
Income Statement Data          
Net premiums earned $ 187,252     $ 187,253     -0.0 %
Investment income, net   7,511       7,376     1.8  
Net investment gains (losses)   2,469       (10,695 )   NM 2
Total revenues   197,970       184,911     7.1  
Net income   10,530       3,731     182.2  
Non-GAAP operating income1   8,579       12,341     -30.5  
Annualized return on average equity   8.0 %     3.3 %   4.7  pts
           
Per Share Data          
Net income – Class A (diluted) $ 0.35     $ 0.13     169.2 %
Net income – Class B   0.32       0.12     166.7  
Non-GAAP operating income – Class A (diluted)   0.29       0.43     -32.6  
Non-GAAP operating income – Class B   0.26       0.40     -35.0  
Book value   17.29       15.92     8.6  
           

1The “Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release defines data that the Company prepares on an accounting basis other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and reconciles such data to GAAP measures.

2Not meaningful.

Management Commentary

Overview

Kevin G. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc., noted, “Donegal Group achieved solid first quarter results despite elevated fire losses that primarily impacted the loss ratio for our commercial multi-peril line of business. We achieved significant increases in net income, earnings per share and annualized return on average equity, which included a mark-to-market shift from a substantial net investment loss for the prior-year quarter to a net investment gain on equity securities we held at March 31, 2021. We continued to execute our strategy of promoting our strong regional market presence, and we remain focused on bottom-line performance.”

Mr. Burke continued, “Donegal Group achieved net premiums written growth of 8.9% during the first quarter of 2021, with 18.7% growth in our commercial lines business segment, compared to the prior-year quarter. We began to include commercial premiums from four Southwestern states in our consolidated revenues for 2021. As we announced previously, Atlantic States Insurance Company, our insurance subsidiary, began to receive an 80% allocation of the underwriting results of the Mountain States Insurance Group, which became part of the Donegal Insurance Group through a Donegal Mutual Insurance Company acquisition in 2017. In addition, we benefitted from a combination of commercial market share gains as well as renewal premium increases due to a favorable rate environment. We have continued to emphasize profitability over growth in our personal lines segment, but we look forward to launching new personal lines products beginning in the second half of 2021 that we believe will provide us increased opportunities to obtain profitable new business in that segment.”

Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Donegal Group Inc., commented on the first quarter results, “Our insurance subsidiaries achieved a combined ratio of 98.5% for the first quarter of 2021, reflecting a 1.5 percentage point increase over the combined ratio for the prior-year quarter. While below-average weather-related losses were comparable to the prior period, higher-than-normal large fire losses adversely impacted our commercial multi-peril results. We attribute the increase in commercial fires primarily to additional stress placed on heating and electrical systems during cold weather conditions during the quarter. We were pleased that our insurance subsidiaries experienced favorable prior-year loss reserve development in all lines of business for the first quarter of 2021. The expense ratio was slightly elevated due primarily to commercial lines growth incentives and anticipated underwriting-based incentives for our agents. Our expense ratio also reflected the amortization of certain costs related to various technology enhancements, including the replacement of our remaining legacy systems, that will support additional growth opportunities and enhance our ability to make advancements in underwriting, data analytics and operational capabilities over the next few years.”

Mr. Burke concluded, “Donegal Group remains committed to expanding market share within our regional markets, adhering to sound underwriting discipline and working closely with our independent agents to deliver best-in-class customer service. We believe that this strategy will help us to enhance our profitability and grow our book value over time. Our net income, partially offset by unrealized losses within our available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio due to an increase in market interest rates during the first quarter of 2021, contributed to an increase in our book value to $17.29 at March 31, 2021, compared to $17.13 at December 31, 2020.”

Insurance Operations

Donegal Group is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer personal and commercial property and casualty lines of insurance in three Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania), three New England states (Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont), six Southern states (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia), eight Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin) and four Southwestern states (Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Utah). Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group.

           
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2021   2020   % Change
   
  (dollars in thousands)
           
Net Premiums Earned          
Commercial lines $ 109,226   $ 101,775   7.3 %
Personal lines   78,026     85,478   -8.7  
Total net premiums earned $ 187,252   $ 187,253   -0.0 %
           
Net Premiums Written          
Commercial lines:          
Automobile $ 47,239   $ 38,393   23.0 %
Workers' compensation   34,941     34,169   2.3  
Commercial multi-peril   51,803     40,427   28.1  
Other   10,451     8,710   20.0  
Total commercial lines   144,434     121,699   18.7  
Personal lines:          
Automobile   43,007     47,768   -10.0  
Homeowners   22,688     23,777   -4.6  
Other   5,733     4,993   14.8  
Total personal lines   71,428     76,538   -6.7  
Total net premiums written $ 215,862   $ 198,237   8.9 %
           

Net Premiums Written

The 8.9% increase in net premiums written for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020, as shown in the table above, represents 18.7% growth in commercial lines net premiums written, partially offset by a 6.7% decline in personal lines net premiums written. The $17.6 million increase in net premiums written for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020 included:

  • Commercial Lines: $22.7 million increase that we attribute primarily to the inclusion of $13.4 million of business Donegal Mutual and its subsidiaries wrote in four Southwestern states in the pooling agreement with Atlantic States Insurance Company (our largest insurance subsidiary) effective January 1, 2021, new commercial accounts our insurance subsidiaries wrote throughout their operating regions and a continuation of renewal premium increases.
  • Personal Lines: $5.1 million decline that we attribute to net attrition as a result of underwriting measures our insurance subsidiaries implemented to slow new policy growth and to increase pricing on renewal policies, partially offset by premium rate increases our insurance subsidiaries have implemented over the past four quarters.

Underwriting Performance

We evaluate the performance of our commercial lines and personal lines segments primarily based upon the underwriting results of our insurance subsidiaries as determined under statutory accounting practices. The following table presents comparative details with respect to the GAAP and statutory combined ratios1 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

       
  Three Months Ended
  March 31,
  2021   2020
       
GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines)      
Loss ratio (non-weather) 60.0 %   58.9 %
Loss ratio (weather-related) 3.7     3.7  
Expense ratio 34.1     33.4  
Dividend ratio 0.7     1.0  
Combined ratio 98.5 %   97.0 %
       
Statutory Combined Ratios      
Commercial lines:      
Automobile 102.3 %   117.4 %
Workers' compensation 95.4     90.1  
Commercial multi-peril 107.7     89.1  
Other 60.1     64.2  
Total commercial lines 99.3     96.0  
Personal lines:      
Automobile 93.4     100.0  
Homeowners 94.7     90.7  
Other 76.9     66.5  
Total personal lines 92.6     94.7  
Total lines 96.5 %   95.4 %
       

Loss Ratio

For the first quarter of 2021, the loss ratio increased to 63.7%, compared to 62.6% for the first quarter of 2020. Weather-related losses of $6.8 million for the first quarter of 2021 were comparable to $6.9 million for the first quarter of 2020, or 3.7 percentage points of the loss ratio for both quarterly periods. Weather-related loss activity for the first quarter of 2021 was lower than our previous five-year average of $10.3 million for first-quarter weather-related losses.

Large fire losses, which we define as individual fire losses in excess of $50,000, for the first quarter of 2021 were $10.3 million, or 5.5 percentage points of the loss ratio. That amount was higher than the large fire losses of $6.3 million, or 3.4 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the first quarter of 2020. Commercial property fires accounted for the increase compared to the prior-year quarter.

Net development of reserves for losses incurred in prior accident years of $8.2 million decreased the loss ratio for the first quarter of 2021 by 4.4 percentage points, compared to $4.3 million that decreased the loss ratio for the first quarter of 2020 by 2.3 percentage points. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced modest favorable development in all lines of business in the first quarter of 2021.

Expense Ratio

The expense ratio was 34.1% for the first quarter of 2021, compared to 33.4% for the first quarter of 2020. The increase in the expense ratio reflected higher agency growth incentive and underwriting-based incentive costs for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the prior-year quarter.

Investment Operations

Donegal Group’s investment strategy is to generate an appropriate amount of after-tax income on its invested assets while minimizing credit risk through investment in high-quality securities. As a result, we had invested 92.5% of our consolidated investment portfolio in diversified, highly rated and marketable fixed-maturity securities at March 31, 2021.

                 
  March 31, 2021   December 31, 2020  
  Amount   %   Amount   %  
     
  (dollars in thousands)  
Fixed maturities, at carrying value:                
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.              
    government corporations and agencies $ 98,168     8.2 %   $ 125,250     10.3 %  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   401,493     33.4       381,284     31.2    
    Corporate securities   383,201     31.9       385,978     31.6    
    Mortgage-backed securities   228,278     19.0       249,233     20.4    
Total fixed maturities   1,111,140     92.5       1,141,745     93.5    
Equity securities, at fair value   68,640     5.7       58,556     4.8    
Short-term investments, at cost   21,098     1.8       20,900     1.7    
Total investments $ 1,200,878     100.0 %   $ 1,221,201     100.0 %  
                 
Average investment yield   2.5 %         2.5 %      
Average tax-equivalent investment yield   2.6 %         2.7 %      
Average fixed-maturity duration (years)   4.8           4.2        
                 

Total fixed-maturity investments at March 31, 2021 decreased by $30.6 million from the year-end 2020 balance, primarily reflecting the March 2021 repayment of $50.0 million in contingent liquidity funding that Atlantic States Insurance Company, our largest insurance subsidiary, had obtained from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh in March 2020 for added security in light of uncertainty surrounding the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Net investment income of $7.5 million for the first quarter of 2021 increased 1.8% compared to $7.4 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase in net investment income reflected primarily an increase in average invested assets relative to the prior-year first quarter.

Net investment gains of $2.5 million for the first quarter of 2021 were primarily related to unrealized gains in the fair value of equity securities held at March 31, 2021. Net investment losses of $10.7 million for the first quarter of 2020 were primarily related to unrealized losses in the fair value of equity securities held at March 31, 2020.

Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We prepare our consolidated financial statements on the basis of GAAP. Our insurance subsidiaries also prepare financial statements based on statutory accounting principles state insurance regulators prescribe or permit (“SAP”). In addition to using GAAP-based performance measurements, we also utilize certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide value in managing our business and for comparison to the financial results of our peers. These non-GAAP measures are net premiums written, operating income or loss and statutory combined ratio.

Net premiums written and operating income or loss are non-GAAP financial measures investors in insurance companies commonly use. We define net premiums written as the amount of full-term premiums our insurance subsidiaries record for policies effective within a given period less premiums our insurance subsidiaries cede to reinsurers. We define operating income or loss as net income or loss excluding after-tax net investment gains or losses, after-tax restructuring charges and other significant non-recurring items. Because our calculation of operating income or loss may differ from similar measures other companies use, investors should exercise caution when comparing our measure of operating income or loss to the measure of other companies.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net premiums earned to net premiums written for the periods indicated:

           
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2021   2020   % Change
   
  (dollars in thousands)
           
Reconciliation of Net Premiums          
Earned to Net Premiums Written          
Net premiums earned $ 187,252   $ 187,253   -0.0 %
Change in net unearned premiums   28,610     10,984   160.5  
Net premiums written $ 215,862   $ 198,237   8.9 %
           
           

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to operating income for the periods indicated:

           
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2021   2020   % Change
   
  (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
           
Reconciliation of Net Income          
to Non-GAAP Operating Income          
Net income $ 10,530     $ 3,731   182.2 %
Investment (gains) losses (after tax)   (1,951 )     8,449   NM  
Other, net   -       161   -100.0  
Non-GAAP operating income $ 8,579     $ 12,341   -30.5 %
           
Per Share Reconciliation of Net Income          
to Non-GAAP Operating Income          
Net income – Class A (diluted) $ 0.35     $ 0.13   169.2 %
Investment (gains) losses (after tax)   (0.06 )     0.29   NM  
Other, net   -       0.01   -100.0  
Non-GAAP operating income – Class A $ 0.29     $ 0.43   -32.6 %
           
Net income – Class B $ 0.32     $ 0.12   166.7 %
Investment (gains) losses (after tax)   (0.06 )     0.27   NM  
Other, net   -       0.01   -100.0  
Non-GAAP operating income – Class B $ 0.26     $ 0.40   -35.0 %
           

The statutory combined ratio is a non-GAAP standard measurement of underwriting profitability that is based upon amounts determined under SAP. The statutory combined ratio is the sum of:

  • the statutory loss ratio, which is the ratio of calendar-year incurred losses and loss expenses, excluding anticipated salvage and subrogation recoveries, to premiums earned;
  • the statutory expense ratio, which is the ratio of expenses incurred for net commissions, premium taxes and underwriting expenses to premiums written; and
  • the statutory dividend ratio, which is the ratio of dividends to holders of workers’ compensation policies to premiums earned.

The statutory combined ratio does not reflect investment income, federal income taxes or other non-operating income or expense. A statutory combined ratio of less than 100% generally indicates underwriting profitability.

Dividend Information

On April 15, 2021, we declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share for our Class A common stock and $0.1425 per share for our Class B common stock, which is payable on May 17, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 3, 2021.

Conference Call and Webcast

We will hold a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, beginning at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time. You may listen to the webcast of this conference call by accessing the webcast link on our website at http://investors.donegalgroup.com. A supplemental investor presentation and a replay of the conference call will also be available via our website.

About Donegal Group Inc.

Donegal Group Inc. is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer property and casualty lines of insurance in certain Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, New England, Southern and Southwestern states. Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group Inc. conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group. The Donegal Insurance Group has an A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent).

The Class A common stock and Class B common stock of Donegal Group Inc. trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols DGICA and DGICB, respectively. We are focused on several primary strategies, including achieving sustained excellent financial performance, strategically modernizing our operations and processes to transform our business, capitalizing on opportunities to grow profitably and delivering a superior experience to our agents and customers.

Safe Harbor

We base all statements contained in this release that are not historic facts on our current expectations. These statements are forward-looking in nature (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially include: our ability to attract new business, retain existing business and collect balances due to us as a result of the prolonged economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse and catastrophic weather events, our ability to maintain profitable operations, the adequacy of the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries, business and economic conditions in the areas in which our insurance subsidiaries operate, interest rates, the availability and cost of labor and materials, competition from various insurance and other financial businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, legal and judicial developments including those related to COVID-19 business interruption coverage and exclusions, changes in regulatory requirements and other risks we describe in the periodic reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that we may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

For Further Information:

Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (717) 426-1931
E-mail: investors@donegalgroup.com

Adam Prior, Senior Vice President, The Equity Group Inc.

Phone: (212) 836-9606
E-mail: aprior@equityny.com

 

Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
           
      Quarter Ended March 31,
      2021   2020
           
Net premiums earned $ 187,252   $ 187,253  
Investment income, net of expenses   7,511     7,376  
Net investment gains (losses)   2,469     (10,695 )
Lease income   107     109  
Installment payment fees   631     868  
  Total revenues   197,970     184,911  
           
Net losses and loss expenses   119,220     117,247  
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs   30,179     29,937  
Other underwriting expenses   33,782     32,598  
Policyholder dividends   1,294     1,842  
Interest     312     224  
Other expenses, net   432     560  
  Total expenses   185,219     182,408  
           
Income before income tax expense (benefit)   12,751     2,503  
Income tax expense (benefit)   2,221     (1,228 )
           
Net income $ 10,530   $ 3,731  
           
Earnings per common share:      
  Class A - basic and diluted $ 0.35   $ 0.13  
  Class B - basic and diluted $ 0.32   $ 0.12  
           
Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data      
           
Weighted-average number of shares      
  outstanding:      
  Class A - basic   24,768,060     23,260,386  
  Class A - diluted   24,896,388     23,448,022  
  Class B - basic and diluted   5,576,775     5,576,775  
           
Net premiums written $ 215,862   $ 198,237  
           
Book value per common share      
  at end of period $ 17.29   $ 15.92  
           

 

Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
           
      March 31,   December 31,
      2021    2020
      (unaudited)    
           
ASSETS
Investments:      
  Fixed maturities:      
    Held to maturity, at amortized cost $ 613,485     $ 586,609  
    Available for sale, at fair value   497,655       555,136  
  Equity securities, at fair value   68,640       58,556  
  Short-term investments, at cost   21,098       20,900  
         Total investments   1,200,878       1,221,201  
Cash     102,392       103,094  
Premiums receivable   181,608       169,596  
Reinsurance receivable   426,340       408,909  
Deferred policy acquisition costs   64,531       59,157  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums   181,100       169,418  
Other assets   28,372       29,145  
    Total assets $ 2,185,221     $ 2,160,520  
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:      
  Losses and loss expenses $ 996,979     $ 962,007  
  Unearned premiums   577,481       537,190  
  Accrued expenses   23,563       29,115  
  Borrowings under lines of credit   35,000       85,000  
  Subordinated debentures   5,000       5,000  
  Other liabilities   17,963       24,434  
    Total liabilities   1,655,986       1,642,746  
Stockholders' equity:      
  Class A common stock   280       277  
  Class B common stock   56       56  
  Additional paid-in capital   294,398       289,150  
  Accumulated other comprehensive income   6,923       11,131  
  Retained earnings   268,804       258,386  
  Treasury stock   (41,226 )     (41,226 )
    Total stockholders' equity   529,235       517,774  
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,185,221     $ 2,160,520  
           

Source: Donegal Group, Inc.