Enact Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Enact Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACT) reported a strong fourth quarter for 2021 with a net income of $154 million ($0.94 per diluted share), up from $137 million in the previous quarter. The company also achieved a full-year net income of $547 million, reflecting a 48% increase compared to 2020. New insurance written (NIW) was $21.4 billion, down 11% from the previous quarter, but primary insurance-in-force rose to $227 billion. The PMIERs sufficiency stood at 165% or $2,003 million. A $200 million dividend was issued, underscoring strong capital management.

Positive

• Fourth quarter net income increased to $154 million from $137 million in Q3 2021.
• Full year net income rose 48% year-over-year to $547 million.
• Primary insurance-in-force increased to $227 billion, up 9% year-over-year.
• Issuance of a $200 million dividend, demonstrating strong cash flow and capital management.
• Return on equity improved to 14.8%, up from 13.2% in Q3 2021.

Negative

• New insurance written decreased by 11% from the previous quarter and 21% year-over-year.
• Net premiums earned declined by 3% from Q3 2021 and 6% year-over-year.

Fourth quarter GAAP Net Income of $154 million, or $0.94 per diluted share 
Full year GAAP Net Income of $547 million, or $3.36 per diluted share 
Fourth quarter Adjusted Net Operating Income of $154 million, or $0.94 per diluted share 
Full year Adjusted Net Operating Income of $551 million, or $3.38 per diluted share 
Fourth quarter return on equity of 14.8% and adjusted operating return on equity of 14.8% 
Book value per share of $25.21 
Issued Dividend of $200 million in the fourth quarter 
PMIERs Sufficiency of 165% or $2,003 million

RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enact Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACT) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2021, ending December 31, 2021.

"We had an excellent fourth quarter driven by strong execution of our strategies, the benefits of our competitive position, and supportive industry fundamentals. With over $21 billion of new insurance written, record insurance-in-force, and favorable loss performance, this was a strong finish to a transformational year for our company,” said Rohit Gupta, President and CEO of Enact. “Looking ahead, market dynamics for our business remain favorable, and we are well positioned to build on our success. Our experienced team, differentiated solutions, strong relationships and approach to risk management and efficiency provide a strong foundation for continued growth and value creation for all of our stakeholders.”

Key Financial Highlights

(In millions, except per share data or otherwise noted)	4Q21	3Q21	4Q20	2021	2020
Net Income (loss)	$154	$137	$91	$547	$370
Diluted Net Income (loss) per share	$0.94	$0.84	$0.56	$3.36	$2.27
Adjusted Operating Income (loss)	$154	$137	$92	$551	$373
Adj. Diluted Operating Income (loss) per share	$0.94	$0.84	$0.57	$3.38	$2.29
NIW ($B)	$21.4	$24.0	$27.0	$97.0	$99.9
Primary IIF ($B)	$227	$222	$208
Persistency	69%	65%	57%	62%	59%
Net Premiums Earned	$237	$243	$251	$975	$971
Losses Incurred	$6	$34	$89	$125	$380
Loss Ratio	3%	14%	35%	13%	39%
Operating Expenses	$59	$59	$69	$246	$236
Expense Ratio	25%	24%	28%	25%	24%
Net Investment Income	$35	$36	$35	$141	$133
Return on Equity	14.8%	13.2%	9.5%	13.7%	9.6%
Adjusted Operating Return on Equity	14.8%	13.2%	9.7%	13.8%	9.7%
PMIERs Sufficiency ($)	$2,003	$2,287	$1,229
PMIERs Sufficiency (%)	165%	181%	137%

Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial and Operating Highlights

• Net income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $154 million, or $0.94 per diluted share, compared with $137 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2021 and $92 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2020. The sequential improvement in net income in the current quarter was primarily driven by lower losses from favorable reserve development, partially offset by lower premiums. The increase in net income from the fourth quarter of 2020 was primarily driven by lower losses from favorable reserve development in the current quarter and lower new delinquencies in the current quarter as well as unfavorable reserve development in fourth quarter of 2020, offset partially by lower premiums in the current quarter.
• Adjusted net operating income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $154 million, or $0.94 per diluted share, compared with $137 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2021 and $91 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2020.
• New insurance written (NIW) was $21.4 billion, down 11% compared to $24.0 billion in the third quarter of 2021, driven by lower estimated originations and down 21% compared to $27.0 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020 driven by lower refinancing activity. Our new insurance written for the fourth quarter was comprised of 91% monthly premium policies and 90% purchase originations.
• Primary Insurance-In-Force was $227 billion, up 2% compared to $222 billion in the third quarter of 2021 and up 9% compared to $208 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020.
• Persistency for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 69%, up from 65% in the third quarter of 2021 and 57% in the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase in persistency was primarily driven by an uptick in mortgage rates and a continued decline in the percentage of our in-force policies with mortgage rates above current rates. Persistency remains below the historical norm of approximately 80%.
• Net premiums earned were $237 million, down 3% compared to $243 million in the third quarter of 2021 and down 6% compared to $251 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.   Net earned premium yield was down from the third quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2020, driven by lower single premium cancellations and the lapse of older, higher-priced policies as compared to our new insurance written. The decrease in net earned premium yield versus the fourth quarter 2020 was also driven by higher ceded premiums in the current quarter.    
• Losses incurred for the fourth quarter of 2021 were $6 million and the loss ratio was 3%, compared to $34 million and 14%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2021, driven by favorable reserve development in the current quarter of $32 million, partially offset by higher new delinquencies from natural disasters in FEMA-impacted areas and recent large books entering their expected loss development pattern. Current quarter losses incurred and the loss ratio also compared favorably to results of the fourth quarter 2020 of $89 million and 35%, respectively, driven by favorable reserve development of $32 million and lower new delinquencies in the current quarter, as well as unfavorable reserve development of $37 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
• Percentage of loans in default at quarter end was 2.6%, compared to 3.1% as of September 30, 2021, and 4.9% as of December 30, 2020, as cures continued to outpace new delinquencies for the sixth consecutive quarter.
• Operating expenses in the current quarter were $59 million, and the expense ratio was 25%, compared to $59 million and 24%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2021, driven by incremental expenses associated with standing-up certain public company activities and lower premiums. Operating expenses and the expense ratio were $69 million and 28%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2020.   Current-quarter operating expenses include $1 million of strategic transaction preparation costs and restructuring costs that are not expected to recur in future periods, as compared to $3 million in the third quarter of 2021.
• Net investment income for the quarter was $35 million, compared to $36 million in the third quarter of 2021 and $35 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
• Annualized return on equity for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 14.8%, and annualized adjusted operating return on equity was 14.8%. Current-quarter results compare favorably to both the third quarter 2021 results of 13.2% and 13.2% and the fourth quarter 2020 results of 9.5% and 9.7%, respectively. Sequential improvements in both return on equity and adjusted operating return on equity were driven, in part, by the execution of a $200 million special cash dividend in the current quarter, as well as lower unrealized gains in our asset portfolio.

Capital and Liquidity

• PMIERs sufficiency was 165% and $2,003 million above the published PMIERs requirements compared to 181% and $2,287 million above the published PMIERs requirements in the third quarter of 2021. The sequential decline in PMIERs sufficiency was driven by our $200 million dividend, NIW and the amortization of existing reinsurance transactions, partially offset by elevated lapse from prevailing low interest rates, business cash flows, and lower delinquencies.
• PMIERs sufficiency benefited from a 0.30 multiplier applied to the risk-based required asset factor for certain non-performing loans, which resulted in a reduction of the published PMIERs required assets by an estimated $390 million at the end of the current quarter, compared to $570 million at the end of the third quarter 2021 and $1,046 million at the end of the fourth quarter 2020. These amounts are gross of incremental reinsurance benefits from the elimination of the 0.30 multiplier.
• Enact Holdings, Inc. held $264 million of cash as of December 31, 2021, a decrease of $29 million from the prior quarter, primarily due to the completion of our purchase of our Parent’s minority interest in a mortgage guarantee business in India.
  

Recent Events

• In January 2022, we executed an excess-of-loss reinsurance transaction with a panel of reinsurers, which provides up to $294 million of reinsurance coverage on a portion of current and expected new insurance written for the 2022 book year.
  

Conference Call and Financial Supplement Information
This press release and the fourth quarter 2021 financial supplement are now posted on the Company’s website, https://ir.enactmi.com. Additional information regarding business results will be posted on the Company's website, by 8:00 a.m. on February 2, 2022. Investors are encouraged to review these materials.

Enact will discuss fourth quarter and full year 2021 financial results in a conference call tomorrow, Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern). Enact’s conference call can be accessed via telephone and Internet. The dial-in number is 1.833.730.3978 in the U.S. or 1.720.405.2123 for international callers; the conference ID is 7969025. To participate in the call by webcast, register at https://ir.enactmi.com/news-and-events/events at least 15 minutes prior to the webcast to download and install any necessary software.

A digital replay of the webcast will be available on the Enact website following the live broadcast for a period of one year at https://ir.enactmi.com/news-and-events/events.

In addition to the information provided in the company's earnings news release, other statistical and financial information, which is expected to be referred to during the conference call, is available on Enact’s website at https://ir.enactmi.com.

About Enact
Enact Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACT), operating principally through its wholly owned subsidiary Genworth Mortgage Insurance Corp. since 1981, is a leading U.S. private mortgage insurance provider committed to helping more people achieve the dream of homeownership. Building on a deep understanding of lenders' businesses and a legacy of financial strength, we partner with lenders to bring best-in class service, leading underwriting expertise, and extensive risk and capital management to the mortgage process, helping to put more people in homes and keep them there. By empowering customers and their borrowers, Enact seeks to positively impact the lives of those in the communities in which it serves in a sustainable way. Enact is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Safe Harbor Statement
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, our expected financial and operational results, the related assumptions underlying our expected results, and the quotations of management. These forward-looking statements are distinguished by use of words such as “will,” “would,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “designed,” “plan,” or “intend,” the negative of these terms, and similar references to future periods. These views involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and, accordingly, our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release. Factors or events that we cannot predict, including uncertainty around Covid-19 and the effects of government and other measures seeking to contain its spread, risks related to an economic downturn or recession in the United States and in other countries around the world, changes in political, business, regulatory, and economic conditions and other factors described in the risk factors contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, may cause our actual results to differ from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Although Enact believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, the Company can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved and it undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

GAAP/Non-GAAP Disclosure Discussion
This communication includes the non-GAAP financial measures entitled “adjusted operating income (loss)”, “adjusted operating income (loss) per share", and “adjusted operating return on equity." Adjusted operating income (loss) per share is derived from adjusted operating income (loss). The chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and allocates resources on the basis of adjusted operating income (loss). The Company defines adjusted operating income (loss) as net income (loss) excluding the after-tax effects of net investment gains (losses), restructuring costs and infrequent or unusual non-operating items. The Company excludes net investment gains (losses) and infrequent or unusual non-operating items because the company does not consider them to be related to the operating performance of the company and other activities. The recognition of realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly across periods as the activity is highly discretionary based on the timing of individual securities sales due to such factors as market opportunities or exposure management. Trends in the profitability of our fundamental operating activities can be more clearly identified without the fluctuations of these realized gains and losses. We do not view them to be indicative of our fundamental operating activities. Therefore, these items are excluded from our calculation of adjusted operating income. In addition, adjusted operating income (loss) per share is derived from adjusted operating income (loss) divided by shares outstanding. Adjusted operating return on equity is calculated as annualized adjusted operating income for the period indicated divided by the average of current period and prior periods’ ending total stockholders’ equity.

While some of these items may be significant components of net income (loss) in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the company believes that adjusted operating income (loss) and measures that are derived from or incorporate adjusted operating income (loss), including adjusted operating income (loss) per share on a basic and diluted basis and adjusted operating return on equity, are appropriate measures that are useful to investors because they identify the income (loss) attributable to the ongoing operations of the business. Management also uses adjusted operating income (loss) as a basis for determining awards and compensation for senior management and to evaluate performance on a basis comparable to that used by analysts. Adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted operating income (loss) per share on a basic and diluted basis are not substitutes for net income (loss) available to Enact Holdings, Inc.’s common stockholders or net income (loss) available to Enact Holdings, Inc.’s common stockholders per share on a basic and diluted basis determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, the company’s definition of adjusted operating income (loss) may differ from the definitions used by other companies.

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) available to Enact Holdings, Inc.’s common stockholders to adjusted operating income (loss) assume a 21% tax rate.

Consolidated Statements of Income
(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
	2021													2020
	4Q			3Q			2Q			1Q				4Q
REVENUES:
Premiums	$	236,864		$	243,063		$	242,480		$	252,542			$	250,891
Net investment income		35,246			35,995			34,689			35,259				34,953
Net investment gains (losses)		5			580			(1,753	)		(956	)			(1,371	)
Other Income		727			671			705			1,738				1,041
Total revenues		272,842			280,309			276,121			288,583				285,514
LOSSES AND EXPENSES:
Losses incurred		5,972			34,124			30,003			55,374				89,049
Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals		55,630			55,151			63,050			57,622				59,551
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles		3,600			3,669			3,597			3,838				9,486
Interest expense		12,771			12,756			12,745			12,737				12,732
Total losses and expenses		77,973			105,700			109,395			129,571				170,818
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES		194,869			174,609			166,726			159,012				114,696
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		41,335			37,401			35,914			33,881				23,515
NET INCOME (LOSS)		153,534			137,208			130,812			125,131				91,181
Net investment (gains) losses		(5	)		(580	)		1,753			956				1,371
Costs associated with reorganization		89			339			2,316			-				-
Taxes on adjustments		(17	)		50			(854	)		(201	)			(288	)
Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)	$	153,601		$	137,017		$	134,027		$	125,886			$	92,264
Loss Ratio (1)		3	%		14	%		12	%		22	%			35	%
Expense Ratio (2)		25	%		24	%		27	%		24	%			28	%
Earnings (Loss) Per Share Data:
Net Income (loss) per share
Basic	$	0.94		$	0.84		$	0.80		$	0.77			$	0.56
Diluted	$	0.94		$	0.84		$	0.80		$	0.77			$	0.56
Adj operating income (loss) per share
Basic	$	0.94		$	0.84		$	0.82		$	0.77			$	0.57
Diluted	$	0.94		$	0.84		$	0.82		$	0.77			$	0.57
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
Basic		162,840			162,840			162,840			162,840				162,840
Diluted		162,985			162,852			162,840			162,840				162,840
(1)The ratio of losses incurred to net earned premiums.
(2)The ratio of acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals, and amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles to net earned premiums. Expenses associated with strategic transaction preparations and restructuring costs increased the expense ratio by zero percentage points for the three months ended December 31, 2021, one percentage point for the three months ended September 30, 2021, two percentage points for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and one percentage point for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Consolidated Balance Sheets
(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
	2021									2020
Assets	December 31		September 30		June 30		March 31			December 31
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value	$	5,266,339	$	5,376,067	$	5,256,467	$	5,106,128		$	5,046,596
Short term investments		-		12,500		12,499		12,500			-
Total investments		5,266,339		5,388,567		5,268,966		5,118,628			5,046,596
Cash and cash equivalents		425,828		451,582		435,323		431,335			452,794
Accrued investment income		31,061		31,372		30,843		28,821			29,210
Deferred acquisition costs		27,220		27,788		28,322		28,544			28,872
Premiums receivable		42,266		43,425		43,287		42,454			46,464
Other assets		73,059		48,572		55,348		49,921			48,774
Total assets	$	5,865,773	$	5,991,306	$	5,862,089	$	5,699,703		$	5,652,710
Liabilities and Shareholder's Interest
Liabilities:
Loss Reserves	$	641,325	$	648,365	$	624,256	$	603,528		$	555,679
Unearned premiums		246,319		254,806		263,573		280,742			306,945
Other liabilities		130,604		129,464		119,289		121,609			133,302
Long-term borrowings		740,416		739,838		739,269		738,711			738,162
Deferred tax liability		1,586		17,452		25,851		19,787			36,811
Total liabilities		1,760,250		1,789,925		1,772,238		1,764,377			1,770,899
Equity:
Common stock		1,628		1,628		1,628		1,628			1,628
Additional paid-in capital		2,371,861		2,369,822		2,369,601		2,368,782			2,368,699
Accumulated other comprehensive income		83,581		133,955		159,854		136,960			208,378
Retained earnings		1,648,453		1,695,976		1,558,768		1,427,956			1,303,106
Total equity		4,105,523		4,201,381		4,089,851		3,935,326			3,881,811
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,865,773	$	5,991,306	$	5,862,089	$	5,699,703		$	5,652,710
Book value per share	$	25.21	$	25.80	$	25.12	$	24.17		$	23.84
U.S. GAAP ROE (1)		14.8%		13.2%		13.0%		12.8%			9.5%
Net investment (gains) losses		0.0%		(0.1)%		0.2%		0.1%			0.1%
Costs associated with reorganization		0.0%		0.0%		0.2%		0.0%			0.0%
Taxes on adjustments		0.0%		0.0%		(0.1)%		(0.0)%			(0.0)%
Adjusted Operating ROE(2)		14.8%		13.2%		13.4%		12.9%			9.7%
Debt to Capital Ratio		15%		15%		15%		16%			16%
(1) Calculated as annualized net income for the period indicated divided by the average of current period and prior periods’ ending total stockholders’ equity
(2) Calculated as annualized adjusted operating income for the period indicated divided by the average of current period and prior periods’ ending total stockholders’ equity

 

 

FAQ

What were Enact Holdings’ financial results for Q4 2021?

Enact Holdings reported a net income of $154 million in Q4 2021, or $0.94 per diluted share.

How much dividend did Enact Holdings issue in Q4 2021?

Enact Holdings issued a $200 million dividend in the fourth quarter of 2021.

What is the current PMIERs sufficiency for Enact Holdings?

The PMIERs sufficiency for Enact Holdings is 165%, equating to $2,003 million.

What was the primary insurance-in-force for Enact Holdings in Q4 2021?

The primary insurance-in-force was $227 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Did Enact Holdings experience an increase or decrease in new insurance written in Q4 2021?

Enact Holdings experienced a decrease in new insurance written, with $21.4 billion reported, down 11% from Q3 2021.