Kinsale Capital Group Reports First Quarter 2023 Results

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE: KNSL) reported net income of $55.8 million, $2.40 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2023 compared to $31.8 million, $1.38 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2022. Net operating earnings⁽¹⁾ were $56.8 million, $2.44 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2023 compared to $37.7 million, $1.63 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2022.

Highlights for the quarter included:

• Net income increased by 75.5% compared to the first quarter of 2022
• Net operating earnings⁽¹⁾ of $56.8 million increased by 50.6% compared to the first quarter of 2022
• Gross written premiums increased by 45.6% to $357.6 million compared to the first quarter of 2022
• Net investment income increased by 127.7% to $20.7 million compared to the first quarter of 2022
• Underwriting income⁽²⁾ was $51.6 million in the first quarter of 2023, resulting in a combined ratio of 78.2%
• Annualized operating return on equity⁽⁵⁾ was 29.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2023

"Our first quarter results demonstrate continued execution of our business model. We delivered gross written premium growth of 46%, a combined ratio of 78% and annualized operating return on equity of 29%. These results reflect the combination of disciplined underwriting, technology-enabled cost advantages and favorable E&S market conditions. We remain confident in our ability to create further shareholder value over the long term,” said President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael P. Kehoe.

Results of Operations

Underwriting Results

Gross written premiums were $357.6 million for the first quarter of 2023 compared to $245.5 million for the first quarter of 2022, an increase of 45.6%. The increase in gross written premiums during the first quarter of 2023 over the same period last year reflected strong submission flow from brokers and a favorable pricing environment.

Underwriting income⁽²⁾ was $51.6 million, resulting in a combined ratio of 78.2%, for the first quarter of 2023, compared to $37.5 million and a combined ratio of 79.0% for the first quarter of 2022. The increase in underwriting income⁽²⁾ was due to a combination of premium growth, favorable loss experience, lower net commissions and scale. Loss and expense ratios were 58.6% and 19.6%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2023 compared to 57.4% and 21.6% for the first quarter of 2022. Results for the first quarter of 2023 and 2022 included net favorable development of loss reserves from prior accident years of $9.0 million, or 3.8 points, and $8.3 million, or 4.7 points, respectively.

Summary of Operating Results

The Company’s operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023				2022
	($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums	$	357,588			$	245,513
Ceded written premiums		(58,558	)			(29,015	)
Net written premiums	$	299,030			$	216,498
Net earned premiums	$	237,158			$	178,562
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		139,034				102,505
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		46,545				38,545
Underwriting income(2)	$	51,579			$	37,512
Loss ratio		58.6	%			57.4	%
Expense ratio		19.6	%			21.6	%
Combined ratio(3)		78.2	%			79.0	%
Annualized return on equity(4)		28.6	%			18.6	%
Annualized operating return on equity(5)		29.1	%			22.1	%

(1)		Net operating earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure. See discussion of "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.
(2)		Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure. See discussion of "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.
(3)		The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and expense ratio as presented. Calculations of each component may not add due to rounding.
(4)		Annualized return on equity is net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period.
(5)		Annualized operating return on equity is net operating earnings expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period.

The following table summarizes losses incurred for the current accident year and the development of prior accident years for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2023							Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
	Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses				% of Earned Premiums			Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses				% of Earned Premiums
Loss ratio:	($ in thousands)
Current accident year	$	146,503			61.8	%		$	110,789			62.1	%
Current accident year - catastrophe losses		1,574			0.6	%			62			—	%
Effect of prior accident year development		(9,043	)		(3.8	)%			(8,346	)		(4.7	)%
Total	$	139,034			58.6	%		$	102,505			57.4	%

Investment Results

Net investment income was $20.7 million in the first three months of 2023 compared to $9.1 million in the first quarter of 2022, an increase of 127.7%. This increase was driven by growth in the Company's investment portfolio generated largely from the investment of strong operating cash flows and higher interest rates relative to the prior year period. Net operating cash flows were $197.6 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared to $121.9 million in the first quarter of 2022, an increase of 62.1%. The Company’s investment portfolio had an annualized gross investment return⁽⁶⁾ of 3.7% for the first quarter of 2023 compared to 2.5% for the same period last year. Funds are generally invested conservatively in high quality securities with an average credit quality of "AA-" and the weighted average duration of the fixed-maturity investment portfolio, including cash equivalents, was 3.4 years and 3.5 years at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Cash and invested assets totaled $2.4 billion at March 31, 2023 and $2.2 billion at December 31, 2022.

(6)

Gross investment return is investment income from fixed-maturity and equity securities (and short-term investments, if any), before any deductions for fees and expenses, expressed as a percentage of average beginning and ending book values of those investments during the period.

Other

The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were 18.4% and 18.2%, respectively. In both the first quarters of 2023 and 2022, the effective tax rates were lower than the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the tax benefits from stock-based compensation and tax-exempt investment income.

Stockholders' equity was $815.7 million at March 31, 2023 compared to $745.4 million at December 31, 2022. Book value per share was $35.23 at March 31, 2023 compared to $32.28 at December 31, 2022. Annualized operating return on equity⁽⁵⁾ was 29.1% for the first quarter of 2023, an increase from 22.1% for the first quarter of 2022, which was primarily due to continued profitable growth in the business from favorable E&S market conditions and rate increases.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Net Operating Earnings

Net operating earnings is defined as net income excluding the effects of the change in the fair value of equity securities, after taxes, net realized investment gains and losses, after taxes, and change in allowance for credit losses on investments, after taxes. Management believes the exclusion of these items provides a useful comparison of the Company's underlying business performance from period to period. Net operating earnings and percentages or calculations using net operating earnings (e.g., diluted operating earnings per share and annualized operating return on equity) are non-GAAP financial measures. Net operating earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and other companies may define net operating earnings differently.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, net income and diluted earnings per share reconcile to net operating earnings and diluted operating earnings per share as follows:

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2023				2022
		($ in thousands, except per share data)
Net operating earnings:
Net income		$	55,800			$	31,791
Adjustments:
Change in the fair value of equity securities, before taxes			(3,518	)			7,751
Income tax expense (benefit) (1)			739				(1,628	)
Change in fair value of equity securities, after taxes			(2,779	)			6,123
Net realized investment losses (gains), before taxes			4,652				(295	)
Income tax (benefit) expense (1)			(977	)			62
Net realized investment losses (gains), after taxes			3,675				(233	)
Change in allowance for credit losses on investments, before taxes			81				—
Income tax benefit (1)			(17	)			—
Change in allowance for credit losses on investments, after taxes			64				—
Net operating earnings		$	56,760			$	37,681
Diluted operating earnings per share:
Diluted earnings per share		$	2.40			$	1.38
Change in the fair value of equity securities, after taxes, per share			(0.12	)			0.27
Net realized investment losses (gains), after taxes, per share			0.16				(0.01	)
Diluted operating earnings per share(2)		$	2.44			$	1.63
Operating return on equity:
Average equity(3)		$	780,590			$	682,453
Annualized return on equity(4)			28.6	%			18.6	%
Annualized operating return on equity(5)			29.1	%			22.1	%

(1)		Income taxes on adjustments to reconcile net income to net operating earnings use a 21% effective tax rate.
(2)		Diluted operating earnings per share may not add due to rounding.
(3)		Computed by adding the total stockholders' equity as of the date indicated to the prior quarter-end or year-end total, as applicable, and dividing by two.
(4)		Annualized return on equity is net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period.
(5)		Annualized operating return on equity is net operating earnings expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period.

Underwriting Income

Underwriting income is defined as net income excluding net investment income, the change in the fair value of equity securities, net realized investment gains and losses, change in allowance for credit losses on investments, interest expense, other expenses, other income and income tax expense. The Company uses underwriting income as an internal performance measure in the management of its operations because the Company believes it gives management and users of the Company's financial information useful insight into the Company's results of operations and underlying business performance. Underwriting income should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and other companies may define underwriting income differently.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, net income reconciles to underwriting income as follows:

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2023				2022
		(in thousands)
Net income		$	55,800			$	31,791
Income tax expense			12,593				7,081
Income before income taxes			68,393				38,872
Net investment income			(20,695	)			(9,088	)
Change in the fair value of equity securities			(3,518	)			7,751
Net realized investment losses (gains)			4,652				(295	)
Change in allowance for credit losses on investments			81				—
Interest expense			2,570				253
Other expenses (6)			402				143
Other income			(306	)			(124	)
Underwriting income		$	51,579			$	37,512

(6)		Other expenses are comprised of corporate expenses not allocated to the Company's insurance operations.

Conference Call

Kinsale Capital Group will hold a conference call to discuss this press release on Friday, April 28, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). Members of the public may access the conference call by dialing (888) 660-6493, conference ID# 3573726, or via the Internet by going to www.kinsalecapitalgroup.com and clicking on the "Investor Relations" link. A replay of the call will be available on the website until the close of business on May 26, 2023.

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 "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "believes," "seeks," "outlook," "future," "will," "would," "should," "could," "may," "can have," "prospects" 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: inadequate loss reserves to cover the Company's actual losses; inherent uncertainty of models resulting in actual losses that are materially different than the Company's estimates; adverse economic factors; a decline in the Company's financial strength rating; loss of one or more key executives; loss of a group of brokers that generate significant portions of the Company's business; failure of any of the loss limitations or exclusions the Company employs, or change in other claims or coverage issues; adverse performance of the Company's investment portfolio; adverse market conditions that affect its excess and surplus lines insurance operations; and other risks described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.

About Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. is a specialty insurance group headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, focusing on the excess and surplus lines market.

KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2023				2022
Revenues		(in thousands, except per share data)
Gross written premiums		$	357,588			$	245,513
Ceded written premiums			(58,558	)			(29,015	)
Net written premiums			299,030				216,498
Change in unearned premiums			(61,872	)			(37,936	)
Net earned premiums			237,158				178,562
Net investment income			20,695				9,088
Change in the fair value of equity securities			3,518				(7,751	)
Net realized investment (losses) gains			(4,652	)			295
Change in allowance for credit losses on investments			(81	)			—
Other income			306				124
Total revenues			256,944				180,318
Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses			139,034				102,505
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses			46,545				38,545
Interest expense			2,570				253
Other expenses			402				143
Total expenses			188,551				141,446
Income before income taxes			68,393				38,872
Total income tax expense			12,593				7,081
Net income			55,800				31,791
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments, net of taxes			17,509				(63,930	)
Total comprehensive income (loss)		$	73,309			$	(32,139	)
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	2.43			$	1.40
Diluted		$	2.40			$	1.38
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic			23,008				22,753
Diluted			23,290				23,093

KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
		March 31, 2023			December 31, 2022
Assets		(in thousands)
Investments:
Fixed-maturity securities at fair value		$	1,971,800		$	1,760,100
Equity securities at fair value			171,366			152,471
Real estate investments, net			76,475			76,387
Short-term investments			26,640			41,337
Total investments			2,246,281			2,030,295
Cash and cash equivalents			158,648			156,274
Investment income due and accrued			14,948			14,451
Premiums receivable, net			128,774			105,754
Reinsurance recoverables, net			218,796			220,454
Ceded unearned premiums			45,115			42,935
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net of ceding commissions			69,444			61,594
Intangible assets			3,538			3,538
Deferred income tax asset, net			53,320			56,983
Other assets			58,958			54,844
Total assets		$	2,997,822		$	2,747,122
Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		$	1,354,151		$	1,238,402
Unearned premiums			563,729			499,677
Payable to reinsurers			33,111			32,024
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			12,509			31,361
Debt			195,812			195,747
Other liabilities			22,779			4,462
Total liabilities			2,182,091			2,001,673
Stockholders' equity			815,731			745,449
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	2,997,822		$	2,747,122

 

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Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.

Bryan Petrucelli

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

804-289-1272

ir@kinsalecapitalgroup.com

Source: Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.