Assurant Reports First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Assurant reported robust Q1 2021 results, with net income at $148.5 million or $2.41 per diluted share, a 4% increase from Q1 2020. Net operating income excluding reportable catastrophes rose 13% to $182.3 million, with a per share increase of 16% to $3.03. Adjusted EBITDA grew by 14% to $302.2 million. The company also raised its 2021 outlook for net operating income growth to 10-14%, supported by share repurchases and consistent performance across its Global Automotive and Multifamily Housing sectors. Liquidity stood at $332 million, with significant capital returns underway.

Positive

• Net operating income, ex. reportable catastrophes, increased 13% to $182.3 million
• Adjusted EBITDA, ex. reportable catastrophes, up 14% to $302.2 million
• Raised 2021 outlook for net operating income to 10-14% growth
• Liquidity position of $332 million exceeds minimum target

Negative

• GAAP net income remained flat at $148.5 million
• Revenue declined to $2.36 billion from $2.45 billion due to mobile contract changes
• Global Housing net operating income decreased by 9%

Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ), a leading global provider of lifestyle and housing solutions that support, protect and connect major consumer purchases, today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

“Our first quarter results came in stronger than expected, due to more favorable loss experience in our specialty P&C products, as well as continued growth across our Global Automotive, Multifamily Housing and Connected Living businesses,” said Assurant President and CEO Alan Colberg. “Our success has been supported by the breadth and depth of our multi-channel distribution strategy across our businesses, together with an unrelenting focus on innovation, both of which have contributed to our significant growth.”

Colberg added, “Following a strong start to the year, we now expect net operating income, excluding catastrophes, per diluted share to increase by 10 to 14 percent from continued profitable growth and share repurchases. Through the actions we’ve taken to focus our portfolio and drive momentum across our Connected World offerings, we continue to feel confident about the long-term growth opportunities across the global markets where we compete.”

(Unaudited) $ in millions, except where noted		Q1’21		Q1’20		Change
GAAP net income		148.5		148.6		0%
GAAP net income per diluted share		$2.41		$2.32		4%
Net operating income1		147.8		148.5		0%
Net operating income per diluted share2		$2.47		$2.41		2%
Net operating income, ex. reportable catastrophes3		182.3		161.4		13%
Net operating income, ex. reportable catastrophes, per diluted share4		$3.03		$2.61		16%
Adjusted EBITDA, ex. reportable catastrophes5		302.2		264.0		14%

First Quarter 2021 Summary:

• Net income was flat versus prior year period, while net income per diluted share increased 4 percent
• Net operating income, excluding reportable catastrophes³, up 13 percent to $182.3 million
• Net operating income, excluding reportable catastrophes, per diluted share⁴, up 16 percent to $3.03
• Adjusted EBITDA, excluding reportable catastrophes⁵, up 14 percent to $302.2 million
• Holding company liquidity was $332 million
• Share repurchases and common stock dividends totaled $80 million; completed more than 70 percent of its $1.35 billion three-year capital return objective since 2019
• Increased 2021 outlook to 10 to 14 percent growth in net operating income, excluding reportable catastrophes, per diluted share⁶; Adjusted EBITDA, excluding reportable catastrophes⁶, to increase at a modestly higher rate than net operating income, excluding reportable catastrophes
  
  Note: References to net income and net income per diluted share throughout this press release refer to net income from continuing operations. The net income (loss) of the Global Preneed segment and related legal entities was reported in our revised financial supplement as of December 31, 2020 and published on April 15, 2021, and will be reported as discontinued operations in the company’s GAAP financial statements beginning with first quarter 2021. Metrics listed above other than net income and net income per diluted share are non-GAAP measures of performance. A full reconciliation of each non-GAAP measure to the most comparable GAAP measure can be found in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section beginning on page 8.

First Quarter 2021 Consolidated Results

(Unaudited) $ in millions		Q1’21		Q1’20		Change
GAAP net income		148.5		148.6		0%
GAAP Corporate and Other segment net loss		(48.0)		(46.5)		(3)%
Net operating income
Global Lifestyle7		129.1		120.9		7%
Global Housing7		67.4		74.2		(9)%
Corporate and Other8		(21.6)		(21.8)		1%
Interest expense		(22.4)		(20.1)		(11)%
Preferred stock dividends		(4.7)		(4.7)		0%
Net operating income1		147.8		148.5		0%
Reportable catastrophes		34.5		12.9
Net operating income, ex. reportable catastrophes3		182.3		161.4		13%
Adjusted EBITDA, ex. reportable catastrophes
Global Lifestyle5		193.0		174.0		11%
Global Housing5		137.1		117.3		17%
Corporate and Other5		(27.9)		(27.3)		2%
Adjusted EBITDA, ex. reportable catastrophes5		302.2		264.0		14%

Note: Some of the metrics above are non-GAAP measures of performance. A full reconciliation of each non-GAAP measure to the most comparable GAAP measure can be found in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section beginning on page 8. Additional details regarding key financial metrics are included in the Financial Supplement located on Assurant’s Investor Relations website: https://ir.assurant.com/investor/default.aspx

• Net income was $148.5 million, or $2.41 per diluted share, roughly flat compared to first quarter 2020 net income of $148.6 million, or $2.32 per diluted share, as the absence of a $79.3 million one-time tax benefit in first quarter 2020 was offset by higher net realized gains on investments compared to net realized losses in the prior year period.

• Net operating income¹ totaled $147.8 million, or $2.47 per diluted share², roughly flat compared to first quarter 2020 net operating income of $148.5 million, or $2.41 per diluted share, as earnings growth was offset by $21.6 million of higher reportable catastrophes compared to the prior year. Excluding reportable catastrophes, net operating income³ for first quarter 2021 increased 13 percent to $182.3 million, compared to $161.4 million in the prior year period, primarily driven by more favorable non-catastrophe loss experience and Multifamily Housing growth in Global Housing as well as continued expansion in Global Automotive and Connected Living within Global Lifestyle.

• Adjusted EBITDA, excluding reportable catastrophes⁵ increased 14 percent compared to the prior year period, greater than the increase in net operating income excluding reportable catastrophes, which reflects higher amortization of purchase asset intangibles from auto and mobile-related acquisitions and an increase in depreciation expense related to major information technology initiatives.

• Revenue from the Global Lifestyle and Global Housing segments totaled $2.36 billion compared to $2.45 billion in first quarter 2020, reflecting the impact from a previously disclosed mobile contract change. Absent this change, revenue was flat year-over-year, as growth in Global Automotive within Global Lifestyle was offset by a modest decline in Global Housing.
  
  Note: Throughout this press release, revenue refers to net earned premiums, fees and other income. GAAP revenue is equal to net earned premiums, fees and other income, net investment income, net realized gains (losses) on investments and amortization of deferred gains and gains on disposal of businesses.

Reportable Segments

Global Lifestyle

$ in millions		Q1’21		Q1’20		Change
Net operating income7		129.1		120.9		7%
Adjusted EBITDA5		193.0		174.0		11%
Revenue		1,862.3		1,946.9		(4)%
Note: References to Adjusted EBITDA within Global Lifestyle exclude reportable catastrophes.

• Net operating income⁷ increased in first quarter 2021 compared to the prior year period. Earnings growth was primarily driven by strong results in Global Automotive, including a $4.3 million one-time benefit, as well as higher investment income and underlying global growth. Connected Living results also increased from mobile subscriber growth in Asia Pacific and North America, higher trade-in volumes and contributions from recent acquisitions. First quarter 2020 included $11.7 million of one-time benefits within Connected Living and Global Automotive.

• Adjusted EBITDA⁵ increased compared to the prior year period, greater than the increase in net operating income, which reflects higher amortization of purchased asset intangibles from auto and mobile-related acquisitions and an increase in depreciation expense related to major information technology initiatives.

• Revenue decreased in the first quarter 2021, reflecting the impact from the previously disclosed mobile program contract change. Excluding this $98 million reduction, revenue was flat year-over-year.

Global Housing

$ in millions		Q1’21		Q1’20		Change
Net operating income7		67.4		74.2		(9)%
Reportable catastrophes		34.5		12.8
Net operating income, ex. reportable catastrophes		101.9		87.0		17%
Revenue		493.0		500.4		(1)%

• Net operating income⁷ decreased in first quarter 2021 compared to the prior year period, driven by $21.7 million of higher reportable catastrophes primarily from the severe winter storms in Texas.
  
  Excluding reportable catastrophes, net operating income increased, primarily due to favorable non-catastrophe loss experience, mainly in specialty products driven by underwriting improvements and lower overall claims frequency, as well as growth in Multifamily Housing. Lender-placed also benefited from higher premium rates, though lower real estate owned volumes, due to foreclosure moratoriums, offset results.

• Revenue decreased in first quarter 2021, primarily due to declines in specialty products, including the expected run-off from small commercial, as well as a modest decline in lender-placed. The decrease was partially offset by growth in Multifamily Housing.

Corporate and Other

$ in millions		Q1’21		Q1’20		Change
GAAP segment net loss		(48.0)		(46.5)		(3)%
Net operating loss8		(21.6)		(21.8)		1%

• Segment net loss increased in first quarter 2021 compared to the prior year period due to the same factors noted earlier for net income.
  
• Net operating loss⁸ was roughly flat in first quarter 2021 compared to the prior year period.

Holding Company Liquidity Position

• Holding company liquidity totaled $332 million as of March 31, 2021, or $107 million above the company’s current targeted minimum level of $225 million.
  
  Dividends paid by operating segments to the holding company in first quarter 2021 totaled $183 million. In addition to quarterly interest, preferred stock dividends and Corporate expenses, the company had $60 million of cash outflows including the previously mentioned repayment of the remaining $50 million in principal of its 2021 Senior Notes that were due in March 2021, as well as $10 million mainly related to the acquisition of TRYGLE and investments within Assurant Ventures.

• Share repurchases and common and preferred dividends totaled $85 million in first quarter 2021. During first quarter 2021, Assurant repurchased 308 thousand shares of common stock for $42 million. From April 1 through April 30, 2021, the company repurchased an additional 95 thousand shares for approximately $14 million, with $731 million remaining under the current repurchase authorizations. Dividends to shareholders totaled $43 million, including $38 million in common stock dividends and $5 million in preferred stock dividends, all of which converted to common stock in March 2021.

• On March 9, 2021, the company announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Global Preneed business and its related legal entities and assets to CUNA Mutual Group for approximately $1.3 billion in cash, with expected net proceeds of approximately $1.2 billion. Assurant continues to expect to close the transaction by the end of the third quarter of 2021, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

2021 Company Outlook⁶

$ in millions, unless otherwise noted		FY 2020	YTD 2021	2021 Outlook6
Net operating income, ex. reportable catastrophes, per diluted share		$9.88	$3.03	10-14% growth
Net operating income, ex. reportable catastrophes		605.4	182.3	High single-digit growth
Global Lifestyle		437.2	129.1	High single-digit growth
Global Housing, ex. reportable catastrophes		371.0	101.9	Modest decline
Corporate and Other		(102.9)	(21.6)	~ (90.0)
Interest expense		(81.2)	(22.4)	~ (90.0)
Adjusted EBITDA, ex. reportable catastrophes		1,013.4	302.2	Modestly higher growth rate than NOI, ex. reportable catastrophes

Note: Some of the metrics above are non-GAAP measures of performance. A full reconciliation of each non-GAAP measure to the most comparable GAAP measure can be found in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section beginning on page 8. Additional details regarding key financial metrics are included in the Financial Supplement located on Assurant’s Investor Relations website: https://ir.assurant.com/investor/default.aspx

For full-year 2021, the company now expects:

Assurant net operating income, excluding reportable catastrophes, per diluted share⁶, to increase approximately 10 to 14 percent from $9.88 in 2020. This represents an increase from the company’s prior outlook of 9 percent growth for full year 2021.

Results for 2021 are expected to be driven primarily by growth within Global Lifestyle and a lower Corporate loss, as well as share repurchases, including the completion of the company’s three-year capital return objective and initial deployment of proceeds from the expected sale of Global Preneed.

• Growth in net operating income, excluding reportable catastrophes⁶, is expected to be mainly driven by high single-digit growth in Global Lifestyle⁶, with expansion across all lines of business, as well as a lower Corporate loss. This will be partially offset by modest declines in Global Housing net operating income, excluding reportable catastrophes⁶, mainly from an expected increase in non-catastrophe losses to more normalized levels.
  
  Adjusted EBITDA, excluding reportable catastrophes ⁶, is expected to grow at a modestly higher rate than net operating income, excluding reportable catastrophes, due to double-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth in Global Lifestyle.

• Business segment dividends from Global Lifestyle and Global Housing to approximate segment net operating income, including reportable catastrophes. This is subject to the growth of the businesses, rating agency and regulatory capital requirements, and investment portfolio performance.

• Capital to be deployed to support business growth, fund investments and return capital to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends, subject to Board approval and market conditions.

Earnings Conference Call

The first quarter 2021 earnings conference call and webcast will be held Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. ET. The live and archived webcast, along with supplemental information, will be available on Assurant’s Investor Relations website: https://ir.assurant.com/investor/default.aspx

About Assurant

Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ) is a leading global provider of lifestyle and housing solutions that support, protect and connect major consumer purchases. Anticipating the evolving needs of consumers, Assurant partners with the world’s leading brands to develop innovative products and services and to deliver an enhanced customer experience. A Fortune 500 company with a presence in 21 countries, Assurant offers mobile device solutions; extended service contracts; vehicle protection services; pre-funded funeral insurance; renters insurance; lender-placed insurance products; and other specialty products. The Assurant Foundation strengthens communities by supporting charitable partners that help protect where people live and can thrive, connect with local resources, inspire inclusion and prepare leaders of the future.

Learn more at assurant.com or on Twitter @AssurantNews.

Safe Harbor Statement

Some of the statements included in this news release and its exhibits, particularly those with respect to the closing of the Global Preneed transaction, including our financial plans and any statements regarding the company’s anticipated future financial performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies and similar matters, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “will,” “may,” “can,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “targets,” “forecasts,” “potential,” “approximately,” and the negative version of those words and other words and terms with a similar meaning. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release or its exhibits are based upon our historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that our future plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Our actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or other developments. The following factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those currently estimated by management, including those projected in the company outlook:

(i)		the loss of significant clients, distributors or other parties with whom we do business, or if we are unable to renew contracts with them on favorable terms, or if those parties face financial, reputational or regulatory issues;
(ii)		significant competitive pressures, changes in customer preferences and disruption;
(iii)		the failure to implement our strategy and to attract and retain key personnel, including key executives and senior management;
(iv)		the failure to find suitable acquisitions at attractive prices, integrate acquired businesses effectively or grow organically;
(v)		our inability to recover should we experience a business continuity event;
(vi)		the failure to manage vendors and other third parties on whom we rely to conduct business and provide services to our clients;
(vii)		risks related to our international operations;
(viii)		declines in the value of mobile devices, the risk of guaranteed buybacks, or export compliance or other risks in our mobile business;
(ix)		our inability to develop and maintain distribution sources or attract and retain sales representatives and executives with key client relationships;
(x)		risks associated with joint ventures, franchises and investments in which we share ownership and management with third parties;
(xi)

FAQ

What were Assurant's Q1 2021 earnings results for AIZ?

Assurant reported a net income of $148.5 million or $2.41 per diluted share in Q1 2021.

How did Assurant's outlook for 2021 change?

Assurant raised its outlook for net operating income growth to 10-14% for 2021.

What factors contributed to Assurant's Q1 revenue decline?

Revenue decreased due to a previously disclosed mobile contract change, reflecting a drop from $2.45 billion to $2.36 billion.

What is the current liquidity position of Assurant as of Q1 2021?

Assurant's liquidity position stood at $332 million as of March 31, 2021.

What was the adjusted EBITDA for Assurant in Q1 2021?

Assurant's adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2021 was $302.2 million, a 14% increase year-over-year.