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James River Announces Third Quarter 2020 Results

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James River Group Holdings reported a strong performance in Q3 2020, with net income of $26.3 million ($0.85 per diluted share), reversing a net loss of $25.2 million in Q3 2019. Adjusted net operating income was $17.4 million ($0.56 per diluted share), compared to an adjusted net operating loss of $22.2 million a year ago. Core E&S gross written premium surged 28%, and renewal pricing increased 12.8%. The combined ratio improved to 94.2% and tangible book value per share increased 7.1% to $19.70.

Positive
  • Net income of $26.3 million, up from net loss of $25.2 million YoY.
  • Adjusted net operating income improved to $17.4 million from a loss of $22.2 million YoY.
  • Core E&S gross written premium rose 28% year-over-year.
  • E&S renewal pricing increased by 12.8%, marking the 15th consecutive quarter of rate increases.
  • Combined ratio improved significantly to 94.2% from 118.8% YoY.
  • Tangible book value per share increased by 7.1% to $19.70.
Negative
  • Gross written premiums decreased by 20% to $311.9 million from $388.2 million in the same quarter last year.
  • Net earned premiums dropped by 28% to $153.0 million compared to $213.4 million YoY.
  • Net investment income declined by 16% to $15.0 million from $17.9 million YoY.
  • Commercial auto gross written premium fell significantly, from $108.4 million last year to $9.7 million this year.
  • Third Quarter 2020 Net Income of $26.3 million -- $0.85 per diluted share and Adjusted Net Operating Income of $17.4 million -- $0.56 per diluted share
     
  • 28% growth in Core E&S Gross Written Premium and 12.8% increase in Excess and Surplus Lines ("E&S") renewal pricing, each versus the prior year quarter
     
  • A combined ratio of 94.2% for the Group and 85.2% in the E&S segment
     
  • An expense ratio of 24.8% for the quarter and 29.2% nine months year to date, significantly improved from 34.2% for the first quarter of this year
     
  • Tangible Book Value per Share of $19.70, an increase of 7.1% from December 31, 2019
     
  • Year-to-date 2020 annualized Adjusted Net Operating Income Return on Average Tangible Equity of 11.9%

PEMBROKE, Bermuda, Oct. 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- James River Group Holdings, Ltd. ("James River" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: JRVR) today reported third quarter 2020 net income of $26.3 million ($0.85 per diluted share), compared to net loss of $25.2 million ($0.83 per diluted share) for the third quarter of 2019.  Adjusted net operating income for the third quarter of 2020 was $17.4 million ($0.56 per diluted share), compared to adjusted net operating loss of $22.2 million ($0.73 per diluted share) for the same period in 2019.

Earnings Per Diluted ShareThree Months Ended
September 30,
 2020 2019
    
Net Income (Loss)$0.85 $(0.83)
Adjusted Net Operating Income (Loss) 1$0.56 $(0.73)
    
1 See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" below.

J. Adam Abram, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our Company delivered another very strong quarter.  Market conditions are extremely attractive across our businesses.  Core E&S gross written premiums increased 28% this quarter compared to the same period a year ago.  New business submissions in our E&S segment increased by 9% and renewal applications increased by 27%.  This is an indication that risks are remaining in the non-admitted market longer than in prior years. We benefited from a 12.8% increase in rate in E&S.  This was the 15th sequential quarter in which E&S rates have increased.  E&S policies in force have grown by 26% since the third quarter of 2019.” 

Our efforts to grow our fronting business continue to bear fruit, as evidenced by our 14% increase in fronted premium and 17% increase in fee income in our Specialty Admitted Insurance segment as compared to the third quarter of last year."

Third Quarter 2020 Operating Results

  • Gross written premium of $311.9 million, consisting of the following:
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
($ in thousands)2020 2019 % Change
Excess and Surplus Lines$179,458  $241,045  (26)%
Specialty Admitted Insurance112,589  100,459  12%
Casualty Reinsurance19,805  46,724  (58)%
 $311,852  $388,228  (20)%
  • Net written premium of $145.2 million, consisting of the following:
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
($ in thousands)2020 2019 % Change
Excess and Surplus Lines$109,170  $171,715  (36)%
Specialty Admitted Insurance16,184  14,570  11%
Casualty Reinsurance19,805  37,584  (47)%
 $145,159  $223,869  (35)%
  • Net earned premium of $153.0 million, consisting of the following:
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
($ in thousands)2020 2019 % Change
Excess and Surplus Lines$104,933  $164,759  (36)%
Specialty Admitted Insurance14,985  14,242  5%
Casualty Reinsurance33,044  34,373  (4)%
 $152,962  $213,374  (28)%
  • Core E&S gross written premium increased 28% (eight out of twelve core underwriting divisions grew).  Due to continued stronger relative growth in our Excess Casualty underwriting division, where we cede a larger portion of risk as compared to other lines, retention in this segment declined and net written premium increased at a lower rate.  Commercial auto gross written premium decreased from $108.4 million in the third quarter of 2019 to $9.7 million in the third quarter of 2020 due to the cancellation, effective December 31, 2019, of all policies issued to one large commercial auto insured;
  • Gross written premium for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment increased from the prior year quarter due to a 14% increase in premiums written in our fronting business.  The increase in premiums written is primarily attributable to growth in several recently begun fronting relationships.  Through three quarters of 2020, the segment has added eight new fronting relationships;
  • Gross and net written premium in the Casualty Reinsurance segment decreased from the prior year quarter due to the non renewal of one large treaty and a change of the renewal dates of several treaties;
  • There was overall unfavorable reserve development of $4.2 million compared to unfavorable reserve development of $57.0 million in the prior year quarter (representing a 2.8 and 26.7 percentage point increase to the Company’s loss ratio in the periods, respectively);
  • Pre-tax (unfavorable) favorable reserve development by segment was as follows:
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
($ in thousands)2020 2019
Excess and Surplus Lines$(27)  $(50,030) 
Specialty Admitted Insurance2,000   1,000  
Casualty Reinsurance(6,207)  (7,941) 
 $(4,234)  $(56,971) 
  • The Specialty Admitted Insurance segment experienced $2.0 million of favorable development in its individual risk workers' compensation business.  The Casualty Reinsurance segment experienced $6.2 million of unfavorable development, the effect of which was offset partially by a $2.9 million reduction to sliding scale commissions;
  • Group combined ratio of 94.2% versus 118.8% in the prior year quarter;
  • Group expense ratio of 24.8% increased from 18.5% in the prior year quarter, principally due to the mix shift away from commercial auto business, which carries a lower expense ratio and higher loss ratio than other lines of business.  However, the expense ratio declined 3.8 percentage points from 28.6% in the second quarter of 2020 and 9.4 percentage points from 34.2% in the first quarter of 2020 due to recent expense reduction initiatives, growth in lines of business with lower net commissions and a reduction in sliding scale commissions in the Casualty Reinsurance segment that was $1.4 million greater than that of the prior year quarter;
  • Gross fee income by segment was as follows:
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
($ in thousands)2020 2019 % Change
Excess and Surplus Lines$  $2,169  (100)%
Specialty Admitted Insurance4,631  3,958  17% 
 $4,631  $6,127  (24)%
  • Fee income in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment decreased from its level in the prior year quarter due to the December 31, 2019 cancellation of all policies issued to one large commercial auto insured.  Fee income in the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment increased due to the continued growth of fronting relationships;
  • Net investment income was $15.0 million, a decrease of 16% from the prior year quarter.  Further details can be found in the "Investment Results" section below.

Investment Results

Net investment income for the third quarter of 2020 was $15.0 million, which compares to $17.9 million for the same period in 2019.  The decrease was principally due to lower investment income from our bank loan portfolio resulting from a smaller portfolio and lower investment yields.

The Company’s net investment income consisted of the following:

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
($ in thousands)2020 2019 % Change
Renewable Energy Investments$(526) $1,602  -
Other Private Investments1,059  (217) -
All Other Net Investment Income14,426  16,493  (13)%
Total Net Investment Income$14,959  $17,878  (16)%

The Company’s annualized gross investment yield on average fixed maturity, bank loan and equity securities for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was 3.2% (versus 3.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2019).  The yield decreased primarily as a result of the sale of floating rate bank loan investments during the second quarter of 2020.

Taxes

Generally the Company's effective tax rate fluctuates from period to period based on the relative mix of income reported by country and the respective tax rates imposed by each tax jurisdiction.  The tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was 14.5%.  The tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 was 14.4% and 22.4%, respectively.

Tangible Equity

Tangible equity before dividends increased 12.7% from $559.8 million at December 31, 2019 to $630.9 million at September 30, 2020, due to $47.4 million of after tax unrealized gains in the Company's fixed income investment portfolio and net income of $25.1 million.

September 30, 2020 tangible equity of $603.1 million after dividends increased 7.7% from $559.8 million at December 31, 2019.  Tangible equity per common share was $19.70 at September 30, 2020, net of $0.90 of dividends per share the Company paid during the first nine months of 2020.  The year-to-date annualized adjusted net operating income return on average tangible equity was 11.9%, which compares to 4.9% for the same period in 2019.  Adjusted net operating income return on average tangible equity is calculated as annualized adjusted net operating income divided by average tangible equity.  Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP figures are included at the end of this press release. 

Capital Management

The Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per common share. This dividend is payable on Thursday, December 31, 2020 to all shareholders of record on Monday, December 14, 2020.

Conference Call

James River Group Holdings, Ltd. will hold a conference call to discuss its third quarter results tomorrow, October 29, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors may access the conference call by dialing (877) 930-8055, Conference ID# 1166528, or via the internet by visiting www.jrgh.net and clicking on the “Investor Relations” link. Please access the website at least 15 minutes early to register and download any necessary audio software. A replay of the call will be available until 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on November 28, 2020 and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 or by visiting the company website.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, such forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as believe, expect, seek, may, will, intend, project, anticipate, plan, estimate, guidance or similar words. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.  Although it is not possible to identify all of these risks and factors, they include, among others, the following: the inherent uncertainty of estimating reserves and the possibility that incurred losses may be greater than our loss and loss adjustment expense reserves; inaccurate estimates and judgments in our risk management may expose us to greater risks than intended; the potential loss of key members of our management team or key employees and our ability to attract and retain personnel; adverse economic factors resulting in the sale of fewer policies than expected or an increase in the frequency or severity of claims, or both; a decline in our financial strength rating resulting in a reduction of new or renewal business; reliance on a select group of brokers and agents for a significant portion of our business and the impact of our potential failure to maintain such relationships; reliance on a select group of customers for a significant portion of our business and the impact of our potential failure to maintain, or decision to terminate, such relationships; losses resulting from reinsurance counterparties failing to pay us on reinsurance claims, insurance companies with whom we have a fronting arrangement failing to pay us for claims, or an insured group of companies with whom we have an indemnification arrangement failing to perform their reimbursement obligations; changes in laws or government regulation, including tax or insurance law and regulations; the ongoing effect of Public Law No. 115-97, informally titled the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which may have a significant effect on us including, among other things, by potentially increasing our tax rate, as well as taxes on our shareholders; in the event we do not qualify for the insurance company exception to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules and are therefore considered a PFIC, there could be material adverse tax consequences to an investor that is subject to U.S. federal income taxation; the Company or any of its foreign subsidiaries becoming subject to U.S. federal income taxation; a failure of any of the loss limitations or exclusions we utilize to shield us from unanticipated financial losses or legal exposures, or other liabilities; losses from catastrophic events, such as natural disasters and terrorist acts, which substantially exceed our expectations and/or exceed the amount of reinsurance we have purchased to protect us from such events; the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated government actions on our operations and financial  performance; potential effects on our business of emerging claim and coverage issues; exposure to credit risk, interest rate risk and other market risk in our investment portfolio; our ability to obtain reinsurance coverage at prices and on terms that allow us to transfer risk and adequately protect our company against financial loss; the potential impact of internal or external fraud, operational errors, systems malfunctions or cyber security incidents; our ability to manage our growth effectively; inadequacy of premiums we charge to compensate us for our losses incurred; failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (“Sarbanes-Oxley”); and changes in our financial condition, regulations or other factors that may restrict our subsidiaries’ ability to pay us dividends. Additional information about these risks and uncertainties, as well as others that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, is contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2020, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on July 31, 2020. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In presenting James River Group Holdings, Ltd.’s results, management has included financial measures that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Such measures, including underwriting profit, adjusted net operating income, tangible equity, adjusted net operating income return on average tangible equity (which is calculated as annualized adjusted net operating income divided by average tangible equity), and pre-dividend tangible equity per share, are referred to as non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of such measures to the most comparable GAAP figures are included at the end of this press release.

About James River Group Holdings, Ltd.

James River Group Holdings, Ltd. is a Bermuda-based insurance holding company which owns and operates a group of specialty insurance and reinsurance companies. The Company operates in three specialty property-casualty insurance and reinsurance segments: Excess and Surplus Lines, Specialty Admitted Insurance and Casualty Reinsurance. Each of the Company’s regulated insurance subsidiaries are rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.

Visit James River Group Holdings, Ltd. on the web at www.jrgh.net.

James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(Unaudited)

 

 
September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
 ($ in thousands, except for share data)
ASSETS   
Invested assets:   
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale$1,813,471  $1,433,626 
Equity securities, at fair value79,896  80,735 
Bank loan participations, at fair value in 2020 and at amortized cost, net of allowance in 2019131,198  260,864 
Short-term investments71,986  156,925 
Other invested assets45,621  61,210 
Total invested assets2,142,172  1,993,360 
    
Cash and cash equivalents139,969  206,912 
Restricted cash equivalents940,221  1,199,164 
Accrued investment income11,730  13,597 
Premiums receivable and agents’ balances, net331,008  369,462 
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, net769,815  668,045 
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses36,591  33,221 
Deferred policy acquisition costs53,967  62,006 
Goodwill and intangible assets218,324  218,771 
Other assets340,556  259,867 
Total assets$4,984,353  $5,024,405 
    
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses$2,106,749  $2,045,506 
Unearned premiums581,098  524,377 
Funds held940,221  1,199,164 
Senior debt217,300  158,300 
Junior subordinated debt104,055  104,055 
Accrued expenses54,907  58,416 
Other liabilities158,617  156,006 
Total liabilities4,162,947  4,245,824 
    
Total shareholders’ equity821,406  778,581 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$4,984,353  $5,024,405 
    
Tangible equity (a)$603,082  $559,810 
Tangible equity per common share outstanding (a)$19.70  $18.40 
Total shareholders’ equity per common share
   outstanding
$26.83  $25.59 
Common shares outstanding30,610,153  30,424,391 
(a)  See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures”.    


James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Income (Loss) Statement Data
(Unaudited)

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
 ($ in thousands, except for share data)
REVENUES       
Gross written premiums$311,852  $388,228  $897,332  $1,095,565 
Net written premiums145,159  223,869  445,570  671,520 
        
Net earned premiums152,962  213,374  447,695  602,640 
Net investment income14,959  17,878  51,145  54,844 
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments (a)8,929  (2,357) (27,885) 331 
Other income615  2,579  3,543  8,160 
Total revenues177,465  231,474  474,498  665,975 
        
EXPENSES       
Losses and loss adjustment expenses106,155  214,084  301,757  501,064 
Other operating expenses38,224  41,692  133,242  132,287 
Other expenses60  372  1,792  1,055 
Interest expense2,129  2,594  7,970  8,086 
Amortization of intangible assets149  149  447  447 
Total expenses146,717  258,891  445,208  642,939 
Income (loss) before taxes30,748  (27,417) 29,290  23,036 
Income tax expense (benefit)4,465  (2,250) 4,208  5,168 
NET INCOME (LOSS)$26,283  $(25,167) $25,082  $17,868 
ADJUSTED NET OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (b)$17,382  $(22,208) $50,179  $19,682 
        
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE       
Basic$0.86  $(0.83) $0.82  $0.59 
Diluted$0.85  $(0.83) $0.81  $0.58 
        
ADJUSTED NET OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) PER    SHARE       
Basic$0.57  $(0.73) $1.64  $0.65 
Diluted$0.56  $(0.73) $1.63  $0.64 
        
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:       
Basic30,582,540  30,382,105  30,529,557  30,230,490 
Diluted30,946,843  30,382,105  30,838,595  30,659,389 
Cash dividends declared per common share$0.30  $0.30  $0.90  $0.90 
        
Ratios:       
Loss ratio69.4% 100.3% 67.4% 83.1%
Expense ratio (c)24.8% 18.5% 29.2% 20.8%
Combined ratio94.2% 118.8% 96.6% 103.9%
Accident year loss ratio66.6% 73.6% 66.0% 73.1%
        
(a) Includes gains of $2.4 million and losses of $6.9 million for the change in net unrealized gains/losses on equity securities in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively (gains of $3.3 million and $8.7 million for the respective prior year periods), and gains of $9.7 million and losses of $7.6 million for the change in net unrealized losses on bank loan participations in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, following the Company's election of the fair value option for bank loans effective January 1, 2020.
(b) See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures".
(c) Calculated with a numerator comprising other operating expenses less gross fee income (in specific instances when the Company is not retaining insurance risk) included in “Other income” in our Condensed Consolidated Income Statements of $363,000 and $2.7 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020 ($2.3 million and $7.3 million for the respective prior year periods) and a denominator of net earned premiums.


James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Segment Results

EXCESS AND SURPLUS LINES

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
 2020 2019 % Change 2020 2019 % Change
 ($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums$179,458  $241,045  (25.6)% $502,649  $687,871  (26.9)%
Net written premiums$109,170  $171,715  (36.4)% $328,190  $522,200  (37.2)%
            
Net earned premiums$104,933  $164,759  (36.3)% $305,521  $457,352  (33.2)%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses(69,938) (176,154) (60.3)% (198,877) (399,996) (50.3)%
Underwriting expenses(19,414) (17,956) 8.1% (66,856) (57,795) 15.7%
Underwriting profit (loss) (a), (b)$15,581  $(29,351) - $39,788  $(439) -
            
Ratios:           
Loss ratio66.7% 106.9%   65.1% 87.5%  
Expense ratio18.5% 10.9%   21.9% 12.6%  
Combined ratio85.2% 117.8%   87.0% 100.1%  
Accident year loss ratio66.6% 76.6%   66.0% 76.3%  
            
(a) See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures".          
(b) Underwriting results include fee income of $— and $1.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively ($2.2 million and $7.1 million for the respective prior year periods). These amounts are included in “Other income” in our Condensed Consolidated Income Statements.

SPECIALTY ADMITTED INSURANCE

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
 2020 2019 % Change 2020 2019 % Change
 ($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums$112,589  $100,459  12.1% $303,831  $292,884  3.7%
Net written premiums$16,184  $14,570  11.1% $42,279  $43,625  (3.1)%
            
Net earned premiums$14,985  $14,242  5.2% $42,660  $39,688  7.5%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses(10,745) (9,481) 13.3% (31,209) (25,085) 24.4%
Underwriting expenses(2,381) (3,924) (39.3)% (9,150) (10,845) (15.6)%
Underwriting profit (a), (b)$1,859  $837  122.1% $2,301  $3,758  (38.8)%
            
Ratios:           
Loss ratio71.7% 66.6%   73.2% 63.2%  
Expense ratio15.9% 27.5%   21.4% 27.3%  
Combined ratio87.6% 94.1%   94.6% 90.5%  
Accident year loss ratio85.1% 73.6%   82.6% 73.9%  
            
(a) See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures".          
(b) Underwriting results include fee income of $4.6 million and $14.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively ($4.0 million and $11.6 million for the respective prior year periods).

CASUALTY REINSURANCE

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
 2020 2019 % Change 2020 2019 % Change
 ($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums$19,805  $46,724  (57.6)% $90,852  $114,810  (20.9)%
Net written premiums$19,805  $37,584  (47.3)% $75,101  $105,695  (28.9)%
            
Net earned premiums$33,044  $34,373  (3.9)% $99,514  $105,600  (5.8)%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses(25,472) (28,449) (10.5)% (71,671) (75,983) (5.7)%
Underwriting expenses(8,261) (10,212) (19.1)% (30,962) (33,678) (8.1)%
Underwriting loss (a)$(689) $(4,288) (83.9)% $(3,119) $(4,061) (23.2)%
            
Ratios:           
Loss ratio77.1% 82.8%   72.0% 72.0%  
Expense ratio25.0% 29.7%   31.1% 31.8%  
Combined ratio102.1% 112.5%   103.1% 103.8%  
Accident year loss ratio58.3% 59.7%   58.9% 59.4%  
            
(a) See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures".          

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

Underwriting Profit (Loss)

The following table reconciles the underwriting profit (loss) by individual operating segment and for the entire Company to consolidated income (loss) before taxes. We believe that these measures are useful to investors in evaluating the performance of our Company and its operating segments because our objective is to consistently earn underwriting profits.  We evaluate the performance of our operating segments and allocate resources based primarily on underwriting profit of operating segments.  Our definition of underwriting profit of operating segments and underwriting profit may not be comparable to that of other companies.

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
 (in thousands)
Underwriting profit (loss) of the operating segments:       
Excess and Surplus Lines$15,581  $(29,351) $39,788  $(439)
Specialty Admitted Insurance1,859  837  2,301  3,758 
Casualty Reinsurance(689) (4,288) (3,119) (4,061)
Total underwriting profit (loss) of operating segments16,751  (32,802) 38,970  (742)
Other operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment(7,805) (7,302) (23,556) (22,641)
Underwriting profit (loss) (a)8,946  (40,104) 15,414  (23,383)
Net investment income14,959  17,878  51,145  54,844 
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments (b)8,929  (2,357) (27,885) 331 
Other income192  (91) (967) (223)
Interest expense(2,129) (2,594) (7,970) (8,086)
Amortization of intangible assets(149) (149) (447) (447)
Consolidated income (loss) before taxes$30,748  $(27,417) $29,290  $23,036 
        
(a) Included in underwriting results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 is fee income of $4.6 million and $15.8 million, respectively ($6.1 million and $18.7 million for the respective prior year periods).
(b) Includes gains of $2.4 million and losses of $6.9 million for the change in net unrealized gains/losses on equity securities in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively (gains of $3.3 million and $8.7 million for the respective prior year periods), and gains of $9.7 million and losses of $7.6 million for the change in net unrealized losses on bank loan participations in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, following the Company's election of the fair value option for bank loans effective January 1, 2020.

Adjusted Net Operating Income (Loss)

We define adjusted net operating income (loss) as net income (loss) excluding net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments (net realized investment gains (losses) and the change in unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities and bank loan participations effective with the Company's election of the fair value option for bank loans on January 1, 2020), as well as non-operating expenses including those that relate to due diligence costs for various merger and acquisition activities, professional fees related to the filing of registration statements for the sale of our securities, and costs associated with former employees. We use adjusted net operating income (loss) as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives our management and other users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance. Adjusted net operating income (loss) should not be viewed as a substitute for net income (loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP, and our definition of adjusted net operating income (loss) may not be comparable to that of other companies.

Our income (loss) before taxes and net income (loss) reconciles to our adjusted net operating income (loss) as follows:

 Three Months Ended September 30,
 2020 2019
 Income Before Taxes Net Income (Loss) Income Before Taxes Net (Loss) Income
 (in thousands)
Income (loss) as reported$30,748  $26,283  $(27,417) $(25,167)
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on investments (a)(8,929) (8,824) 2,357  2,665 
Other expenses(21) (77) 372  294 
Adjusted net operating income (loss)$21,798  $17,382  $(24,688) $(22,208)
        
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2020 2019
 Income Before Taxes Net Income Income Before Taxes Net Income
 (in thousands)
Income as reported$29,290  $25,082  $23,036  $17,868 
Net realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments (a)27,885  23,646  (331) 980 
Other expenses1,711  1,451  1,055  834 
Adjusted net operating income$58,886  $50,179  $23,760  $19,682 
        
(a)  Includes gains of $2.4 million and losses of $6.9 million for the change in net unrealized gains/losses on equity securities in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively (gains of $3.3 million and $8.7 million for the respective prior year periods), and gains of $9.7 million and losses of $7.6 million for the change in net unrealized losses on bank loan participations in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, following the Company's election of the fair value option for bank loans effective January 1, 2020.

Tangible Equity (per Share) and Pre-Dividend Tangible Equity (per Share)

We define tangible equity as shareholders’ equity less goodwill and intangible assets (net of amortization).  Our definition of tangible equity may not be comparable to that of other companies, and it should not be viewed as a substitute for shareholders’ equity calculated in accordance with GAAP.  We use tangible equity internally to evaluate the strength of our balance sheet and to compare returns relative to this measure.  The following table reconciles shareholders’ equity to tangible equity for September 30, 2020, December 31, 2019, and September 30, 2019 and reconciles tangible equity to tangible equity before dividends for September 30, 2020.

 September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 September 30, 2019
($ in thousands, except for share data)Equity Equity per share Equity Equity per share Equity Equity per share
Shareholders' equity$821,406  $26.83  $778,581  $25.59  $768,969  $25.29 
Goodwill and intangible assets218,324  7.13  218,771  7.19  218,921  7.20 
Tangible equity$603,082  $19.70  $559,810  $18.40  $550,048  $18.09 
Dividends to shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 202027,815  0.90         
Pre-dividend tangible equity$630,897  $20.60         

FAQ

What were James River Group's Q3 2020 net income results?

James River reported a net income of $26.3 million for Q3 2020, equating to $0.85 per diluted share.

How did the adjusted net operating income change in Q3 2020 for JRVR?

The adjusted net operating income for Q3 2020 was $17.4 million, compared to a loss of $22.2 million in Q3 2019.

What was the increase in Core E&S gross written premiums for JRVR?

Core E&S gross written premiums increased by 28% in Q3 2020 compared to the same period last year.

What was the combined ratio for James River Group in Q3 2020?

The combined ratio improved to 94.2% in Q3 2020 from 118.8% in the prior year quarter.

What is the tangible book value per share for JRVR as of Q3 2020?

The tangible book value per share increased to $19.70 as of September 30, 2020.

James River Group Holdings, Ltd

NASDAQ:JRVR

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170.28M
36.51M
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84.98%
2.42%
Insurance - Specialty
Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance
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United States of America
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