
MEDIA: | ANALYSTS: | |
Brandon Davis, 312-822-5885 | James Anderson, 312-822-7757 | |
• | Q4 NET INCOME OF $273M, $1.00 PER SHARE; FULL YEAR 2019 OF $1 BILLION, $3.67 PER SHARE |
• | Q4 CORE INCOME OF $265M, $0.97 PER SHARE; FULL YEAR 2019 OF $979M, $$3.59 PER SHARE |
• | Q4 P&C COMBINED RATIO OF 95.6%; Q4 P&C UNDERLYING COMBINED RATIO OF 94.9% |
• | FULL YEAR 2019 P&C UNDERLYING COMBINED RATIO OF 94.8% VS 95.4% FULL YEAR 2018 |
• | P&C NET WRITTEN PREMIUM GROWTH OF 5% IN Q4 & FULL YEAR 2019 |
• | INCREASED QUARTERLY DIVIDEND TO $0.37 PER SHARE |
• | SPECIAL DIVIDEND OF $2.00 PER SHARE |
Results for the Three Months Ended December 31 | Results for the Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||
($ millions, except per share data) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 273 | $ | (84 | ) | $ | 1,000 | $ | 813 | ||||||
Core income (loss) (a) | 265 | (23 | ) | 979 | 845 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) per diluted share | $ | 1.00 | $ | (0.31 | ) | $ | 3.67 | $ | 2.98 | ||||||
Core income (loss) per diluted share | 0.97 | (0.08 | ) | 3.59 | 3.10 | ||||||||||
December 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | ||||||
Book value per share | $ | 45.00 | $ | 41.32 | |||
Book value per share excluding AOCI | 44.81 | 44.55 | |||||
(a) | Management utilizes the core income (loss) financial measure to monitor the Company's operations. Please refer herein to the Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures section of this press release for further discussion of this non-GAAP measure. |
Results for the Three Months Ended December 31 | Results for the Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
Gross written premiums ex. 3rd party captives | $ | 1,892 | $ | 1,755 | $ | 7,735 | $ | 7,252 | |||||||||||
GWP ex. 3rd party captives change (% year over year) | 8 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||||||
Net written premiums | $ | 1,746 | $ | 1,659 | $ | 7,134 | $ | 6,822 | |||||||||||
NWP change (% year over year) | 5 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 336 | $ | 127 | $ | 1,273 | $ | 996 | |||||||||||
Core income | 337 | 16 | 1,190 | 967 | |||||||||||||||
Loss ratio excluding catastrophes and development | 60.9 | % | 64.4 | % | 61.0 | % | 61.8 | % | |||||||||||
Effect of catastrophe impacts | 2.9 | 8.6 | 2.6 | 3.7 | |||||||||||||||
Effect of development-related items | (2.2 | ) | (1.2 | ) | (0.7 | ) | (2.4 | ) | |||||||||||
Loss ratio | 61.6 | % | 71.8 | % | 62.9 | % | 63.1 | % | |||||||||||
Expense ratio | 33.7 | % | 33.2 | % | 33.5 | % | 33.2 | % | |||||||||||
Combined ratio | 95.6 | % | 105.4 | % | 96.7 | % | 96.7 | % | |||||||||||
Combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development | 94.9 | % | 98.0 | % | 94.8 | % | 95.4 | % | |||||||||||
• | The fourth quarter combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development improved 3.1 points as compared with the prior year quarter. The underlying loss ratio improved 3.5 points due to elevated property losses and professional liability in our London operation in the prior year quarter. This was partially offset by a 0.5 point increase in the expense ratio driven by year-end true-ups in acquisition expenses. |
• | For the full year, the combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development improved 0.6 points as compared with the prior year. The underlying loss ratio improved 0.8 points. |
• | The fourth quarter combined ratio improved 9.8 points as compared with the prior year quarter. Net catastrophe losses were $51 million, or 2.9 points of the loss ratio in the quarter compared with $146 million, or 8.6 points of the loss ratio, for the prior year quarter. Favorable net prior period development improved the loss ratio by 2.2 points in the quarter compared with a 1.2 point improvement in the prior year quarter. |
• | For the full year, the combined ratio was consistent with the prior year. Net catastrophe losses were $179 million, or 2.6 points of the loss ratio for the full year compared with $252 million, or 3.7 points of the loss ratio, for the prior year. Favorable net prior period development improved the loss ratio by 0.7 points in the current year compared with a 2.4 point improvement in the prior year. |
• | Net written premiums grew 5% in both the fourth quarter and full year while U.S. P&C segments net written premiums grew 6% in the fourth quarter and for the full year. |
Results for the Three Months Ended December 31 | Results for the Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
Gross written premiums ex. 3rd party captives | $ | 752 | $ | 705 | $ | 3,015 | $ | 2,834 | |||||||||||
GWP ex. 3rd party captives change (% year over year) | 7 | % | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||
Net written premiums | $ | 705 | $ | 682 | $ | 2,848 | $ | 2,744 | |||||||||||
NWP change (% year over year) | 3 | % | 4 | % | |||||||||||||||
Core income | $ | 188 | $ | 98 | $ | 671 | $ | 629 | |||||||||||
Loss ratio excluding catastrophes and development | 60.7 | % | 61.1 | % | 60.3 | % | 60.4 | % | |||||||||||
Effect of catastrophe impacts | (0.2 | ) | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||||
Effect of development-related items | (4.9 | ) | (3.7 | ) | (3.3 | ) | (5.5 | ) | |||||||||||
Loss ratio | 55.6 | % | 58.0 | % | 57.5 | % | 55.9 | % | |||||||||||
Expense ratio | 32.4 | % | 33.0 | % | 32.5 | % | 32.1 | % | |||||||||||
Combined ratio | 88.2 | % | 91.2 | % | 90.2 | % | 88.2 | % | |||||||||||
Combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development | 93.3 | % | 94.3 | % | 93.0 | % | 92.7 | % | |||||||||||
• | The combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development improved 1.0 point for the fourth quarter of 2019 as compared with the prior year quarter. The expense ratio improved 0.6 points driven by the acquisition ratio. The underlying loss ratio improved 0.4 points. |
• | The combined ratio improved 3.0 points for the fourth quarter of 2019 as compared with the prior year quarter. Net catastrophe losses were $(1) million, or (0.2) points of the loss ratio in the quarter compared with $4 million, or 0.6 points of the loss ratio, for the prior year quarter. Favorable net prior period development improved the loss ratio by 4.9 points in the quarter compared with 3.7 points of improvement in the prior year quarter. |
• | Net written premiums for Specialty grew 3% for the fourth quarter of 2019 driven by favorable rate. |
Results for the Three Months Ended December 31 | Results for the Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
Gross written premiums ex. 3rd party captives | $ | 867 | $ | 784 | $ | 3,609 | $ | 3,267 | |||||||||||
GWP ex. 3rd party captives change (% year over year) | 11 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||||||||
Net written premiums | $ | 779 | $ | 721 | $ | 3,315 | $ | 3,060 | |||||||||||
NWP change (% year over year) | 8 | % | 8 | % | |||||||||||||||
Core income (loss) | $ | 133 | $ | (46 | ) | $ | 489 | $ | 357 | ||||||||||
Loss ratio excluding catastrophes and development | 61.4 | % | 63.9 | % | 61.7 | % | 61.2 | % | |||||||||||
Effect of catastrophe impacts | 6.5 | 15.7 | 4.9 | 6.4 | |||||||||||||||
Effect of development-related items | (1.3 | ) | 0.7 | 0.7 | (0.3 | ) | |||||||||||||
Loss ratio | 66.6 | % | 80.3 | % | 67.3 | % | 67.3 | % | |||||||||||
Expense ratio | 33.6 | % | 32.3 | % | 32.9 | % | 33.1 | % | |||||||||||
Combined ratio | 100.6 | % | 113.3 | % | 100.8 | % | 101.1 | % | |||||||||||
Combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development | 95.4 | % | 96.9 | % | 95.2 | % | 95.0 | % | |||||||||||
• | The combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development improved 1.5 points for the fourth quarter of 2019 as compared with the prior year quarter. The underlying loss ratio improved 2.5 points driven by a lower level of large property losses. This was partially offset by a 1.3 point increase in the expense ratio driven by a higher acquisition ratio. |
• | The combined ratio improved 12.7 points for the fourth quarter of 2019 as compared with the prior year quarter. Net catastrophe losses were $52 million, or 6.5 points of the loss ratio in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with $120 million, or 15.7 points of the loss ratio, for the prior year quarter. Favorable net prior period development decreased the loss ratio by 1.3 points in the quarter compared with 0.7 points of unfavorable development increasing the loss ratio in the prior year quarter. |
• | Net written premiums for Commercial grew 8% for the fourth quarter of 2019 driven by strong retention, higher new business and favorable rate. |
Results for the Three Months Ended December 31 | Results for the Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
Net written premiums | $ | 262 | $ | 256 | $ | 971 | $ | 1,018 | |||||||||||
NWP change (% year over year) | 2 | % | (5 | ) | % | ||||||||||||||
Core income (loss) | $ | 16 | $ | (36 | ) | $ | 30 | $ | (19 | ) | |||||||||
Loss ratio excluding catastrophes and development | 59.7 | % | 74.9 | % | 60.9 | % | 66.9 | % | |||||||||||
Effect of catastrophe impacts | — | 8.2 | 1.1 | 3.3 | |||||||||||||||
Effect of development-related items | 2.6 | 0.2 | 2.1 | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Loss ratio | 62.3 | % | 83.3 | % | 64.1 | % | 69.8 | % | |||||||||||
Expense ratio | 38.0 | % | 36.2 | % | 37.7 | % | 36.7 | % | |||||||||||
Combined ratio | 100.3 | % | 119.5 | % | 101.8 | % | 106.5 | % | |||||||||||
Combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development | 97.7 | % | 111.1 | % | 98.6 | % | 103.6 | % | |||||||||||
• | The combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development improved 13.4 points for the fourth quarter of 2019 as compared with the prior year quarter. The underlying loss ratio improved 15.2 points due to elevated property losses and professional liability in our London operation in the prior year quarter. This was partially offset by a 1.8 point increase in the expense ratio driven by lower net earned premiums. |
• | The combined ratio improved 19.2 points for the fourth quarter of 2019 as compared with the prior year quarter. There were no net catastrophe losses recorded for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared with $22 million of net catastrophe losses, an 8.2 point impact on the loss ratio, for the prior year quarter. Unfavorable net prior year development increased the loss ratio by 2.6 points in the quarter compared with 0.2 points in the prior year quarter. |
• | Excluding currency fluctuations, net written premiums for International increased 3% for the fourth quarter of 2019 as compared with the prior year quarter driven by growth in Canada and Europe partially offset by the premium reduction from Hardy's strategic exit from certain business classes announced in the fourth quarter of 2018. |
Results for the Three Months Ended December 31 | Results for the Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 204 | $ | 203 | $ | 820 | $ | 801 | |||||||||||
Total operating revenues | 334 | 337 | 1,340 | 1,333 | |||||||||||||||
Core (loss) income | (4 | ) | 7 | (109 | ) | 43 | |||||||||||||
Results for the Three Months Ended December 31 | Results for the Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 5 | $ | 4 | $ | 25 | $ | 20 | |||||||||||
Interest expense | 32 | 34 | 131 | 135 | |||||||||||||||
Core loss | (68 | ) | (46 | ) | (102 | ) | (165 | ) | |||||||||||
Results for the Three Months Ended December 31 | Results for the Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||
Pretax net investment income | $ | 545 | $ | 334 | $ | 2,118 | $ | 1,817 | |||||||||||
Net investment income, after tax | 443 | 279 | 1,727 | 1,500 | |||||||||||||||
• | Specialty provides management and professional liability and other coverages through property and casualty products and services using a network of brokers, independent agencies and managing general underwriters. |
• | Commercial works with a network of brokers and independent agents to market a broad range of property and casualty insurance products and services to small, middle-market and large businesses. |
• | International underwrites property and casualty coverages on a global basis through two insurance companies based in the U.K. and Luxembourg, a branch operation in Canada as well as through our Lloyd's Syndicate. |
• | Life & Group primarily includes the results of the individual and group long term care businesses that are in run off. |
• | Corporate & Other primarily includes certain corporate expenses, including interest on corporate debt, and the results of certain property and casualty business in run-off, including CNA Re and asbestos and environmental pollution (A&EP). |
• | Loss ratio is the percentage of net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses to net earned premiums. |
• | Underlying loss ratio represents the loss ratio excluding catastrophes and development. |
• | Expense ratio is the percentage of insurance underwriting and acquisition expenses, including the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, to net earned premiums. |
• | Dividend ratio is the ratio of policyholders' dividends incurred to net earned premiums. |
• | Combined ratio is the sum of the loss, expense and dividend ratios. |
• | Underlying combined ratio is the sum of the underlying loss, expense and dividend ratios. |
• | Renewal premium change represents the estimated change in average premium on policies that renew, including rate and exposure changes. |
• | Rate represents the average change in price on policies that renew excluding exposure change. For certain products within Small Business, where quantifiable, rate includes the influence of new business as well. |
• | Retention represents the percentage of premium dollars renewed in comparison to the expiring premium dollars from policies available to renew. |
• | New business represents premiums from policies written with new customers and additional policies written with existing customers. |
Results for the Three Months Ended December 31 | Results for the Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 273 | $ | (84 | ) | $ | 1,000 | $ | 813 | ||||||
Less: Net investment gains (losses) | 8 | (61 | ) | 21 | (38 | ) | |||||||||
Less: Net deferred tax asset remeasurement | — | — | — | 6 | |||||||||||
Core income (loss) | $ | 265 | $ | (23 | ) | $ | 979 | $ | 845 | ||||||
Results for the Three Months Ended December 31 | Results for the Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) per diluted share | $ | 1.00 | $ | (0.31 | ) | $ | 3.67 | $ | 2.98 | ||||||
Less: Net investment gains (losses) | 0.03 | (0.23 | ) | 0.08 | (0.14 | ) | |||||||||
Less: Net deferred tax asset remeasurement | — | — | — | 0.02 | |||||||||||
Core income (loss) per diluted share | $ | 0.97 | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | 3.59 | $ | 3.10 | ||||||
December 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | ||||||
Book value per share | $ | 45.00 | $ | 41.32 | |||
Less: Per share impact of AOCI | 0.19 | (3.23 | ) | ||||
Book value per share excluding AOCI | $ | 44.81 | $ | 44.55 | |||
Results for the Three Months Ended December 31 | Results for the Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
Annualized net income (loss) | $ | 1,090 | $ | (336 | ) | $ | 1,000 | $ | 813 | |||||||
Average stockholders' equity including AOCI (a) | 12,169 | 11,363 | 11,716 | 11,730 | ||||||||||||
Return on equity | 9.0 | % | (3.0 | ) | % | 8.5 | % | 6.9 | % | |||||||
Annualized core income (loss) | $ | 1,060 | $ | (91 | ) | $ | 979 | $ | 845 | |||||||
Average stockholders' equity excluding AOCI (a) | 12,073 | 12,180 | 12,129 | 12,152 | ||||||||||||
Core return on equity | 8.8 | % | (0.7 | ) | % | 8.1 | % | 7.0 | % | |||||||
(a) | Average stockholders' equity is calculated using a simple average of the beginning and ending balances for the period. |