Erie Indemnity Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Erie Indemnity Company (NASDAQ: ERIE) announced financial results for Q3 and nine months of 2023. Net income per diluted share was $2.51 for the quarter and $6.41 for the nine months of 2023, compared to $1.61 and $4.46 in the same periods of 2022. Operating income before taxes increased by 39.4% in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022.

Positive

• Net income per diluted share increased by 55.3% in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022
• Operating income before taxes increased by 39.4% in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022

Negative

• None.

Net Income per Diluted Share was $2.51 for the Quarter and $6.41 for the Nine Months of 2023

ERIE, Pa., Oct. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Erie Indemnity Company (NASDAQ: ERIE) today announced financial results for the quarter and nine months ending September 30, 2023.  Net income was $131.0 million, or $2.51 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $84.3 million, or $1.61 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2022.  Net income was $335.1 million, or $6.41 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2023, compared to $233.1 million, or $4.46 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2022.

3Q and Nine Months 2023
(in thousands)	3Q'23	3Q'22		2023	2022
Operating income	$      148,471	$      106,472		$    393,172	$    294,784
Investment income (loss)	12,302	(571)		19,197	344
Interest expense and other (income), net	(3,001)	(447)		(9,643)	637
Income before income taxes	163,774	106,348		422,012	294,491
Income tax expense	32,734	22,035		86,879	61,412
Net income	$      131,040	$        84,313		$    335,133	$    233,079

 

3Q 2023 Highlights

Operating income before taxes increased $42.0 million, or 39.4 percent, in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022.

• Management fee revenue - policy issuance and renewal services increased $97.4 million, or 17.7 percent, in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022.
• Management fee revenue - administrative services increased $1.5 million, or 10.2 percent, in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022.
• Cost of operations - policy issuance and renewal services
  • Commissions increased $44.6 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022, primarily driven by the growth in direct and affiliated assumed written premium, partially offset by a decrease in agent incentive compensation.
  • Non-commission expense increased $12.7 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022. Underwriting and policy processing expense increased $2.8 million primarily due to increased underwriting report costs. Information technology costs increased $0.9 million primarily due to increased professional fees. Administrative and other costs increased $9.7 million primarily due to an increase in personnel costs and professional fees. Personnel costs were impacted by increased compensation including higher estimated costs for incentive plan awards, partially offset by lower pension costs due to an increase in the discount rate compared to 2022. Increases in incentive plan costs were driven by improved direct written premiums and policies in force growth and a higher company stock price at September 30, 2023 compared to September 30, 2022.

Income from investments before taxes totaled $12.3 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared to loss from investments before taxes of $0.6 million in the third quarter of 2022.  Net investment income was $14.6 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $5.8 million in the third quarter of 2022.  Net investment income included less than $0.1 million of limited partnership losses in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $4.6 million in the third quarter of 2022.  Net realized and unrealized losses on investments were $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $6.2 million in the third quarter of 2022. 

Nine Months 2023 Highlights

Operating income before taxes increased $98.4 million, or 33.4 percent, in the first nine months of 2023 compared to the first nine months of 2022.

• Management fee revenue - policy issuance and renewal services increased $256.3 million, or 16.2 percent, in the first nine months of 2023 compared to the first nine months of 2022.
• Management fee revenue - administrative services increased $3.5 million, or 8.1 percent, in the first nine months of 2023 compared to the first nine months of 2022.
• Cost of operations - policy issuance and renewal services
  • Commissions increased $115.9 million in the first nine months of 2023 compared to the first nine months of 2022, primarily driven by the growth in direct and affiliated assumed written premium, partially offset by a decrease in agent incentive compensation.
  • Non-commission expense increased $45.7 million in first the nine months of 2023 compared to the first nine months of 2022. Underwriting and policy processing expense increased $9.1 million primarily due to increased underwriting report, personnel, and postage costs. Information technology costs increased $15.7 million primarily due to increased professional fees, hardware and software costs, and personnel costs. Administrative and other costs increased $20.3 million primarily due to an increase in personnel costs. Personnel costs were impacted by increased compensation including higher estimated costs for incentive plan awards, partially offset by lower pension costs due to an increase in the discount rate compared to 2022. Increases in incentive plan costs were driven by improved direct written premiums and policies in force growth and a higher company stock price at September 30, 2023 compared to September 30, 2022.

Income from investments before taxes totaled $19.2 million in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $0.3 million in the first nine months of 2022.  Net investment income was $30.4 million in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $24.6 million in the first nine months of 2022.  Net investment income included $10.7 million of limited partnership losses in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $2.2 million in the first nine months 2022.  Net realized and unrealized losses on investments were $9.2 million in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $23.8 million in the first nine months of 2022.

Webcast Information

Indemnity has scheduled a pre-recorded audio broadcast on the Web for 10:00 AM ET on October 27, 2023.  Investors may access the pre-recorded audio broadcast by logging on to www.erieinsurance.com.

Erie Insurance Group

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 12^th largest homeowners insurer, 12^th largest automobile insurer and 13^th largest commercial lines insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written.  Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a Fortune 500 company and the 19^th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written.  Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, ERIE has more than 6 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. 

News releases and more information are available on ERIE's website at www.erieinsurance.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
Statements contained herein that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements and, as such, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ, perhaps materially, from those discussed herein.  Forward-looking statements relate to future trends, events or results and include, without limitation, statements and assumptions on which such statements are based that are related to our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources.  Examples of forward-looking statements are discussions relating to premium and investment income, expenses, operating results, and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict.  Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.  Among the risks and uncertainties, in addition to those set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause actual results and future events to differ from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements include the following:

• dependence upon our relationship with the Erie Insurance Exchange ("Exchange") and the management fee under the agreement with the subscribers at the Exchange;
• dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the growth of the Exchange, including:
  • general business and economic conditions;
  • factors affecting insurance industry competition;
  • dependence upon the independent agency system; and
  • ability to maintain our reputation;
• dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the financial condition of the Exchange, including:
  • the Exchange's ability to maintain acceptable financial strength ratings;
  • factors affecting the quality and liquidity of the Exchange's investment portfolio;
  • changes in government regulation of the insurance industry;
  • litigation and regulatory actions;
  • emergence of significant unexpected events, including pandemics and inflation;
  • emerging claims and coverage issues in the industry; and
  • severe weather conditions or other catastrophic losses, including terrorism;
• costs of providing policy issuance and renewal services to the Exchange under the subscriber's agreement;
• ability to attract and retain talented management and employees;
• ability to ensure system availability and effectively manage technology initiatives;
• difficulties with technology or data security breaches, including cyber attacks;
• ability to maintain uninterrupted business operations;
• outcome of pending and potential litigation;
• factors affecting the quality and liquidity of our investment portfolio; and
• our ability to meet liquidity needs and access capital.

A forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and reflects our analysis only as of that date.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.

 

Erie Indemnity Company Statements of Operations (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
		Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
		2023		2022		2023		2022
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Operating revenue
Management fee revenue - policy issuance and renewal services		$       649,049		$       551,666		$    1,840,478		$    1,584,213
Management fee revenue - administrative services		16,151		14,657		46,976		43,446
Administrative services reimbursement revenue		187,118		168,653		544,411		492,655
Service agreement revenue		6,620		6,260		19,408		19,175
Total operating revenue		858,938		741,236		2,451,273		2,139,489
Operating expenses
Cost of operations - policy issuance and renewal services		523,349		466,111		1,513,690		1,352,050
Cost of operations - administrative services		187,118		168,653		544,411		492,655
Total operating expenses		710,467		634,764		2,058,101		1,844,705
Operating income		148,471		106,472		393,172		294,784
Investment income
Net investment income		14,642		5,834		30,360		24,606
Net realized and unrealized investment losses		(2,227)		(6,230)		(9,246)		(23,833)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings		(113)		(175)		(1,917)		(429)
Total investment income (loss)		12,302		(571)		19,197		344
Interest expense		—		115		—		2,009
Other income		3,001		562		9,643		1,372
Income before income taxes		163,774		106,348		422,012		294,491
Income tax expense		32,734		22,035		86,879		61,412
Net income		$       131,040		$         84,313		$       335,133		$       233,079
Net income per share
Class A common stock – basic		$              2.81		$              1.81		$              7.20		$              5.00
Class A common stock – diluted		$              2.51		$              1.61		$              6.41		$              4.46
Class B common stock – basic and diluted		$               422		$               272		$           1,079		$               751
Weighted average shares outstanding – Basic
Class A common stock		46,189,037		46,189,025		46,188,962		46,188,878
Class B common stock		2,542		2,542		2,542		2,542
Weighted average shares outstanding – Diluted
Class A common stock		52,299,369		52,296,411		52,298,655		52,297,685
Class B common stock		2,542		2,542		2,542		2,542
Dividends declared per share
Class A common stock		$              1.19		$              1.11		$              3.57		$              3.33
Class B common stock		$         178.50		$         166.50		$         535.50		$         499.50

 

Erie Indemnity Company Statements of Financial Position (in thousands)
		September 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
		(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$        102,873		$        142,090
Available-for-sale securities		69,822		24,267
Receivables from Erie Insurance Exchange and affiliates, net		620,683		524,937
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		71,480		79,201
Accrued investment income		8,968		8,301
Total current assets		873,826		778,796
Available-for-sale securities, net		845,415		870,394
Equity securities		79,516		72,560
Fixed assets, net		434,975		413,874
Agent loans, net		59,544		60,537
Defined benefit pension plan		65,163		0
Other assets		36,110		43,295
Total assets		$     2,394,549		$     2,239,456
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Commissions payable		$        357,614		$        300,028
Agent bonuses		50,252		95,166
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		165,797		165,915
Dividends payable		55,419		55,419
Contract liability		40,831		36,547
Deferred executive compensation		11,000		12,036
Total current liabilities		680,913		665,111
Defined benefit pension plans		27,744		51,224
Contract liability		19,653		17,895
Deferred executive compensation		18,547		13,724
Deferred income taxes, net		11,045		14,075
Other long-term liabilities		24,758		29,019
Total liabilities		782,660		791,048
Shareholders' equity		1,611,889		1,448,408
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$     2,394,549		$     2,239,456

 

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SOURCE Erie Indemnity Company

FAQ

What was the net income per diluted share for Q3 2023?

The net income per diluted share for Q3 2023 was $2.51.

How much did the operating income before taxes increase in Q3 2023?

The operating income before taxes increased by 39.4% in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022.