Atlantic American Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End Results for 2023; Declares Annual Dividend

Rhea-AI Summary

Atlantic American (AAME) reported a net loss for the fourth quarter of 2023 and the full year, attributed to increased insurance benefits and losses, a decline in earned premiums, and rising debt service costs. Operating income also decreased due to higher insurance benefits and losses. The company remains optimistic about future growth, highlighted by investments in talent and technology. The Board approved an annual dividend of $0.02 per share.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Net loss for the three month period and full year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net income in 2022
• Decrease in operating income for the same periods due to increased insurance benefits and losses
• Decline in earned premiums and rise in debt service costs impacting net income
• Non-GAAP financial measure operating income (loss) used by the company

ATLANTA, April 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlantic American Corporation (Nasdaq- AAME) today reported net loss for the three month period ended December 31, 2023 of $2.2 million, or ($0.11) per diluted share, as compared to net income of $1.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company reported net loss of $0.2 million, or ($0.03) per diluted share, as compared to net income of $1.5 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was primarily due to an increase in insurance benefits and losses incurred partially offset by an increase in unrealized gains in equity securities. The decrease in net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to a decrease in earned premiums, as well as an increase in insurance benefits and losses as a percentage of premiums. Also contributing to the decrease in net income is an increase in debt service costs due to rising interest rates. Partially offsetting this decrease was a decline in unrealized losses on equity securities.

Operating income (loss), as defined below, decreased to a $4.3 million operating loss in the three month period ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $3.5 million operating income for the three month period ended December 31, 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company reported operating income of $1.5 million compared to operating income of $9.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in operating income for the three and twelve month periods was primarily due to an increase in insurance benefits and losses incurred as a percentage of premiums.

Commenting on the results, Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “The Company has made significant investments in both human talent and information technology within our Life and Health segment that we expect will lead to improved top line results and profitability of our business. While we have experienced some inflationary pressures in our Property and Casualty segment, their disciplined underwriting approach delivered another profitable year. In recognition of our enthusiasm for 2024, the Board of Directors recently approved the Company’s annual dividend of $0.02 per share, which is payable on April 26, 2024 to shareholders of record on April 12, 2024.”

Atlantic American Corporation is an insurance holding company involved through its subsidiary companies in specialty markets of the life, health, and property and casualty insurance industries. Its principal insurance subsidiaries are American Southern Insurance Company, American Safety Insurance Company, Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company, Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company and Atlantic Capital Life Assurance Company.

Note regarding non-GAAP financial measure: Atlantic American Corporation presents its consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, from time to time, the Company may present, in its public statements, press releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, non-GAAP financial measures such as operating income (loss). We define operating income (loss) as net income (loss) excluding: (i) income tax expense (benefit); (ii) realized investment gains, net; and (iii) unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities, net. Management believes operating income (loss) is a useful metric for investors, potential investors, securities analysts and others because it isolates the “core” operating results of the Company before considering certain items that are either beyond the control of management (such as income tax expense (benefit), which is subject to timing, regulatory and rate changes depending on the timing of the associated revenues and expenses) or are not expected to regularly impact the Company’s operating results (such as any realized and unrealized investment gains (losses), which are not a part of the Company’s primary operations and are, to a limited extent, subject to discretion in terms of timing of realization). The financial data attached includes a reconciliation of operating income (loss) to net income (loss), the most comparable GAAP financial measure. The Company’s definition of operating income (loss) may differ from similarly titled financial measures used by others. This non-GAAP financial measure should be considered supplemental to, and not a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Note regarding forward-looking statements: Except for historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors and risks, including the Company’s ability to remediate the identified material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting as described in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and those other risks and uncertainties detailed in statements and reports that the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information contact:
J. Ross Franklin		Hilton H. Howell, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer		Chairman, President & CEO
Atlantic American Corporation		Atlantic American Corporation
404-266-5580		404-266-5505

Atlantic American Corporation
Financial Data

	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,								December 31,
(Unaudited; In thousands, except per share data)		2023				2022				2023				2022
Insurance premiums
Life and health	$	26,138			$	28,391			$	110,382			$	115,164
Property and casualty		16,781				16,523				68,443				70,276
Insurance premiums, net		42,919				44,914				178,825				185,440
Net investment income		2,633				2,422				10,058				9,932
Realized investment gains, net		-				1				70				30
Unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net		1,190				(2,106	)			(2,177	)			(7,562	)
Other income		3				-				17				11
Total revenue		46,745				45,231				186,793				187,851
Insurance benefits and losses incurred
Life and health		22,931				18,278				71,485				76,281
Property and casualty		12,926				10,626				51,015				47,175
Commissions and underwriting expenses		9,294				10,819				46,124				46,713
Interest expense		862				661				3,269				1,952
Other expense		3,834				3,483				15,465				13,634
Total benefits and expenses		49,847				43,867				187,358				185,755
Income (loss) before income taxes		(3,102	)			1,364				(565	)			2,096
Income tax expense (benefit)		(874	)			318				(394	)			571
Net income (loss)	$	(2,228	)		$	1,046			$	(171	)		$	1,525
Earnings (loss) per common share (basic and diluted)	$	(0.11	)		$	0.05			$	(0.03	)		$	0.06
Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measure
Net income (loss)	$	(2,228	)		$	1,046			$	(171	)		$	1,525
Income tax expense (expense)		(874	)			318				(394	)			571
Realized investment gains, net		-				(1	)			(70	)			(30	)
Unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities, net		(1,190	)			2,106				2,177				7,562
Non-GAAP operating income (loss)	$	(4,292	)		$	3,469			$	1,542			$	9,628
	December 31,				December 31,
Selected balance sheet data		2023				2022
Total cash and investments	$	265,368			$	257,575
Insurance subsidiaries		259,253				251,378
Parent and other		6,115				6,197
Total assets		381,265				367,064
Insurance reserves and policyholder funds		212,422				202,651
Debt		36,757				35,747
Total shareholders' equity		107,275				102,193
Book value per common share		4.99				4.74
Statutory capital and surplus
Life and health		38,299				36,672
Property and casualty		51,774				53,023

FAQ

What was Atlantic American 's net loss for the three month period ended December 31, 2023?

Atlantic American reported a net loss of $2.2 million, or ($0.11) per diluted share, for the three month period ended December 31, 2023.

Why did Atlantic American experience a decrease in net income for the fourth quarter of 2023?

The decrease in net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was primarily due to an increase in insurance benefits and losses incurred, partially offset by an increase in unrealized gains in equity securities.

What caused the decrease in net income for the year ended December 31, 2023?

The decrease in net income for the year ended December 31, 2023, was primarily due to a decrease in earned premiums, an increase in insurance benefits and losses as a percentage of premiums, and rising debt service costs due to higher interest rates.

Why did operating income decrease for Atlantic American in the three month period ended December 31, 2023?

The decrease in operating income for the three month period ended December 31, 2023, was primarily due to an increase in insurance benefits and losses incurred as a percentage of premiums.

What dividend was approved by the Board of Directors for Atlantic American shareholders?

The Board of Directors approved the Company’s annual dividend of $0.02 per share, payable on April 26, 2024, to shareholders of record on April 12, 2024.