Amerisafe announces 2021 fourth quarter and year-end results
Deridder, la.--(business wire)--amerisafe, inc. (nasdaq: amsf), a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on high hazard industries, today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended december 31, 2021. three months ended twelve months ended december 31, december 31, 2021 2020 % change 2021 2020 % change $ 67,733 $ 74,702 -9.3 % $ 275,993 $ 304,427 -9.3 % 6,073 7,228 -16.0 % 25,435 29,364 -13.4 % 205 (332 ) nm 1,695 1,132 nm 4,289 6,553 nm 12,315 4,204 nm 3,541 28,501 -87.6 % 65,756 86,602 -24.1 % $ 0.18 $ 1.47 -87.8 % $ 3.39 $ 4.47 -24.2 % (9 ) 23,586 -100.0 % 54,688 82,387 -33.6 % $ - $ 1.22 -100.0 % $ 2.82 $ 4.25 -33.6 % $ 20.62 $ 22.70 -9.2 % $ 20.62 $ 22.70 -9.2 % 112.9 % 70.4 % 85.7 % 76.3 % 3.2 % 24.8 % 15.7 % 19.9 % g. janelle frost, president and chief executive officer, stated, “our specialty is underwriting and servicing high-hazard workers’ compensation and in 2021, our strength in those specialties counterbalanced slow economic growth, strong competition, declining rates, and a variety of pandemic-related uncertainties. we were responsive to the competitive environment, while applying disciplined pricing, and continued our long-held commitment to personalized claims management. despite experiencing our first catastrophic claim, we are pleased to report a combined ratio of 85.7% and a return on average equity of 15.7% for 2021.” insurance results three months ended twelve months ended december 31, december 31, 2021 2020 % change 2021 2020 % change $ 55,871 $ 63,082 -11.4 % $ 278,294 $ 303,090 -8.2 % 67,733 74,702 -9.3 % 275,993 304,427 -9.3 % 59,197 36,260 63.3 % 160,798 157,226 2.3 % 16,714 15,589 7.2 % 72,051 71,906 0.2 % 515 768 -32.9 % 3,715 3,453 7.6 % $ (8,693 ) $ 22,085 -139.4 % $ 39,429 $ 71,842 -45.1 % 107.4 % 72.5 % 80.7 % 72.5 % -20.0 % -24.0 % -22.4 % -20.9 % 87.4 % 48.5 % 58.3 % 51.6 % 24.7 % 20.9 % 26.1 % 23.6 % 0.8 % 1.0 % 1.3 % 1.1 % 112.9 % 70.4 % 85.7 % 76.3 % voluntary premiums on policies written in the quarter were 9.4% lower than the fourth quarter of 2020, primarily due to continued declines in approved loss costs in the states in which we write business. for the full year, voluntary premiums decreased by 6.3%. payroll audits and related premium adjustments increased premiums written by $0.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. for the full year 2021, audits and related premium adjustments reduced premiums by $1.2 million, compared to an increase in premiums of $6.4 million in 2020. as a result of information just developed on a fourth quarter catastrophic claim, the company increased its accident year loss ratio from 72.0% to 80.7% for the full year. this claim involved several individuals who were severely injured in the same incident. the company’s catastrophic reinsurance program covers amounts up to $10 million per individual, but amounts greater than $10 million per individual are retained by the company. as a result, amerisafe has increased its net estimate after reinsurance for this loss by $24 million and has increased its net accident year loss ratio. as with all amerisafe claims, this reserve will be evaluated periodically as the claim develops. this is the first catastrophic claim on the company’s catastrophe reinsurance layer in our history. during the quarter, the company experienced favorable net loss reserve development for prior accident years, which reduced loss and loss adjustment expenses by $13.6 million, primarily from accident years 2019 through 2016. for the full year, the company experienced favorable development on prior accident years of $61.9 million, compared with $63.5 million in 2020. the company currently is estimating that its current accident year loss ratio will be 71.0% for 2022. for the quarter ended december 31, 2021, the underwriting expense ratio was 24.7% compared with 20.9% in the same quarter in 2020, as a result of lower earned premium, increased bad debt from ncci pools and increased loss- based assessments. for the year ended december 31, 2021, the underwriting expense ratio was 26.1%, compared with 23.6% in 2020, largely due to lower earned premium as underwriting and other expenses for the full year were largely unchanged. the effective tax rate for the full year 2021 was 17.2% compared with 19.0% for 2020. the rate was lower than last year due to an increase in the proportion of tax-exempt interest income relative to underwriting profit and also due to a reduction in a valuation allowance on deferred state tax assets. investment results three months ended twelve months ended december 31, december 31, 2021 2020 % change 2021 2020 % change $ 6,073 $ 7,228 -16.0 % $ 25,435 $ 29,364 -13.4 % 205 (332 ) nm 1,695 1,132 nm 4,289 6,553 nm 12,315 4,204 nm 2.2 % 2.4 % 2.3 % 2.5 % 2.7 % 2.9 % 2.7 % 2.9 % (1) the tax equivalent yield is calculated using the effective interest rate and the appropriate marginal tax rate. net investment income for the quarter ended december 31, 2021, decreased 16.0% to $6.1 million from $7.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, due to lower interest rates on fixed income securities. for the full year 2021, net investment income was $25.4 million compared with $29.4 million for 2020, a decrease of 13.4%, due to lower yields on fixed income securities. net unrealized gains on equity securities were $4.3 million in the fourth quarter and $12.3 million for the full year 2021. as of december 31, 2021, the carrying value of amerisafe’s investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, was $1.1 billion. capital management in an accompanying announcement, the company’s board of directors increased the regular quarterly dividend by 6.9% from $0.29 per share to $0.31 per share, payable on march 25, 2022 to shareholders of record as of march 11, 2022. supplemental information three months ended twelve months ended december 31, december 31, 2021 2020 2021 2020 $ 3,541 $ 28,501 $ 65,756 $ 86,602 205 (332 ) 1,695 1,132 4,289 6,553 12,315 4,204 (944 ) (1,306 ) (2,942 ) (1,121 ) $ (9 ) $ 23,586 $ 54,688 $ 82,387 $ 439,740 $ 460,363 $ 419,070 $ 434,516 14,262 20,466 17,278 16,615 $ 425,478 $ 439,897 $ 401,792 $ 417,901 19,420,757 19,380,109 19,408,619 19,363,809 3.2 % 24.8 % 15.7 % 19.9 % 0.0 % 21.4 % 13.6 % 19.7 % $ 0.18 $ 1.47 $ 3.39 $ 4.47 $ - $ 1.22 $ 2.82 $ 4.25 (1) the tax effect of net realized losses on investments and net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities is calculated with an effective tax rate of 21%. (2) operating net income, operating return on average adjusted equity and operating earnings per share are non-gaap financial measures. management believes that investors’ understanding of core operating performance is enhanced by amerisafe’s disclosure of these financial measures. (3) average shareholders’ equity is calculated by taking the average of the beginning and ending shareholders’ equity. (4) return on average equity is calculated by dividing the annualized net income by the average shareholders’ equity. conference call information amerisafe has scheduled a conference call for february 23, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. eastern time to discuss the results for the quarter and comment on future periods. to participate in the conference call, dial 773-305-6853 (conference code 7786013) at least ten minutes before the call begins. investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call over the internet by visiting the “investor relations home” page of the “investors” section of the company’s website (http://www.amerisafe.com). to listen to the live call on the web, please visit the website at least fifteen minutes before the call begins to register, download and install any necessary audio software. for those who cannot listen to the live webcast, an archive will be available shortly after the call at the same website location. about amerisafe amerisafe, inc. is a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking, logging and lumber, agriculture, and manufacturing. amerisafe actively markets workers’ compensation insurance in 27 states. forward looking statements statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements accompanied by words such as “will,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” or similar words are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the private securities litigation reform act of 1995 regarding amerisafe’s plans and performance. these statements are based on management’s estimates, assumptions and projections as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance and include statements regarding management’s views and expectations of the workers’ compensation market, the company’s growth opportunities, underwriting margins and actions by competitors. actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in these statements if the underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect or as the results of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the business and operations of the company and our policyholders and the market value of our investment portfolio. additional factors that may affect our results are set forth in the company’s filings with the securities and exchange commission, including amerisafe’s annual report on form 10-k. amerisafe cautions you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. amerisafe does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release. - tables to follow - amerisafe, inc. and subsidiaries consolidated statements of income (in thousands) three months ended twelve months ended december 31, december 31, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (unaudited) (unaudited) $ 55,871 $ 63,082 $ 278,294 $ 303,090 (3,059 ) (2,348 ) (10,469 ) (10,276 ) $ 52,812 $ 60,734 $ 267,825 $ 292,814 $ 67,733 $ 74,702 $ 275,993 $ 304,427 6,073 7,228 25,435 29,364 205 (332 ) 1,695 1,132 4,289 6,553 12,315 4,204 81 70 496 350 78,381 88,221 315,934 339,477 59,197 36,260 160,798 157,226 16,714 15,589 72,051 71,906 515 768 3,715 3,453 23 (14 ) (79 ) (27 ) 76,449 52,603 236,485 232,558 1,932 35,618 79,449 106,919 (1,609 ) 7,117 13,693 20,317 $ 3,541 $ 28,501 $ 65,756 $ 86,602 amerisafe, inc. and subsidiaries consolidated statements of income (cont.) (in thousands, except per share amounts) three months ended twelve months ended december 31, december 31, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (unaudited) (unaudited) $ 3,541 $ 28,501 $ 65,756 $ 86,602 19,345,324 19,309,055 19,332,391 19,288,996 $ 0.18 $ 1.48 $ 3.40 $ 4.49 $ 3,541 $ 28,501 $ 65,756 $ 86,602 19,345,324 19,309,055 19,332,391 19,288,996 75,433 71,054 76,228 74,813 19,420,757 19,380,109 19,408,619 19,363,809 $ 0.18 $ 1.47 $ 3.39 $ 4.47 amerisafe, inc. and subsidiaries consolidated balance sheets (in thousands) december 31, december 31, 2021 2020 $ 1,012,571 $ 1,088,744 70,722 61,757 120,561 105,803 135,100 156,760 14,384 13,665 17,059 17,810 32,327 26,316 $ 1,402,724 $ 1,470,855 $ 745,278 $ 760,561 121,092 129,260 16,850 17,995 120,181 124,223 399,323 438,816 $ 1,402,724 $ 1,470,855
