National Western Life Group, Inc. Announces 2021 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Earnings

Rhea-AI Summary

National Western Life Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NWLI) reported substantial growth in 2021, with consolidated net earnings reaching $180.7 million, marking a 96% increase from 2020. Earnings per diluted Class A share were $51.10, compared to $26.11 the previous year. The company achieved record life insurance sales, driven by high demand for single premium products, and saw annuity sales nearly 80% higher than two years prior. As of December 31, 2021, book value per share stood at $698.48, with total assets of $14.3 billion.

Positive

• Consolidated net earnings increased by 96% to $180.7 million.
• Earnings per diluted Class A share rose to $51.10.
• Record life insurance sales driven by single premium products.
• Annuity sales increased by nearly 80% compared to two years ago.
• Book value per share at $698.48, reflecting strong financial health.

Negative

• Fourth quarter net earnings of $28.8 million decreased from $35.1 million in Q4 2020.

AUSTIN, Texas, March 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ross R. Moody, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of National Western Life Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NWLI), announced today 2021 consolidated net earnings of $180.7 million, or $51.10 per diluted Class A common share, compared with consolidated net earnings of $92.3 million, or $26.11 per diluted Class A common share, for 2020. For the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company reported consolidated net earnings of $28.8 million, or $8.15 per diluted Class A common share, compared with $35.1 million, or $9.94 per diluted Class A common share, in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company's book value per share as of December 31, 2021 was $698.48.

Mr. Moody indicated that the Company continued to make good progress from the Covid-19 pandemic disruptions of 2020. "While 2021 was anything but normal, returning our staff back to the home office, cultivating distribution channels, further developing the capabilities of our administrative systems and technology platforms, expanding our investment strategy to encompass new opportunities, and accomplishing these efforts within a well-defined risk governance and management structure resulted in a successful year," he noted. "In terms of total premiums, 2021 was our most successful life insurance sales year in the Company's history driven by the market demand for our single premium products. Annuity sales in 2021 are nearly 80% higher than where we were two years ago, and we are working on new and different ways to offer more competitive products which meet our policyholders' financial needs," Mr. Moody observed.

The Company's net earnings of $180.7 million in 2021 increased 96% over the earnings level of 2020. Mr. Moody stated, "Our 2021 results reflect not only the underlying profitability of our book of business as well as our attention to fundamental insurance profit drivers, but include benefits of reinsurance and hedging strategies, which were accretive to our financial results." Mr. Moody added, "Like other insurers in the industry, we witnessed the increased morbidity associated with Covid-19 in our death claim experience during 2021, but are hopeful the fourth quarter decline in new reported death claims from the peak we saw in the third quarter is an ongoing trend."

National Western Life Group, Inc. is the parent organization of National Western Life Insurance Company, which is the parent organization of Ozark National Life Insurance Company, both stock life insurance companies in aggregate offering a broad portfolio of individual universal life, whole life and term insurance plans, as well as annuity products. At December 31, 2021, the Company maintained consolidated total assets of $14.3 billion, consolidated stockholders' equity of $2.5 billion, and combined life insurance in force of $20.9 billion.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains statements which are or may be viewed as forward-looking within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 2005. Forward-looking statements relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments, and are subject to assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by the Company will not materially and adversely affect our results of operations. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

 

Summary of Consolidated Financial Results (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share data)
		Three Months Ended				Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,				December 31,
		2021		2020		2021		2020
Revenues:
Revenues, excluding investment and index option	$	161,316		165,507		688,423		658,917
gains
Realized and unrealized gains on index options		50,244		49,619		120,718		14,754
Realized gains on investments		5,107		8,411		14,950		21,071
Total revenues		216,667		223,537		824,091		694,742
Benefits and expenses:
Life and other policy benefits		43,152		37,331		187,577		131,337
Amortization of deferred transaction costs		22,739		28,568		69,462		140,503
Universal life and annuity contract interest		78,703		86,625		213,185		206,250
Other operating expenses		36,014		29,854		126,610		104,584
Total benefits and expenses		180,608		182,378		596,834		582,674
Earnings before income taxes		36,059		41,159		227,257		112,068
Income tax expense		7,247		6,024		46,576		19,756
Net earnings	$	28,812		35,135		180,681		92,312
Net earnings attributable to Class A shares	$	27,998		34,142		175,571		89,701
Diluted Earnings Per Class A Share	$	8.15		9.94		51.10		26.11
Diluted Weighted Average Class A Shares		3,436		3,436		3,436		3,436
						December 31,		December 31,
						2021		2020
Book value per share					$	698.48		698.50
Less: Per share impact of accumulated other comprehensive income						59.39		108.75
Book value per share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income *					$	639.09		589.75

*

Book value per share excluding accumulated other comprehensive income is a non-GAAP financial measure. Accumulated other comprehensive income totaled $216.0 million at December 31, 2021 and $395.4 million at December 31, 2020. Since accumulated other comprehensive income fluctuates from quarter to quarter due to unrealized changes in the fair value of investments caused primarily by changes in market interest rates, National Western Life Group, Inc. believes this financial measure provides useful supplemental information.

 

Investor Relations Contact:
Brian M. Pribyl - Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(512) 836-1010
bpribyl@nationalwesternlife.com 
www.nwlgi.com

 

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SOURCE National Western Life Group, Inc.

FAQ

What were the earnings results for National Western Life Group (NWLI) in 2021?

National Western Life Group reported consolidated net earnings of $180.7 million for 2021, up 96% from the previous year.

How did National Western Life Group's stock perform in terms of earnings per share in 2021?

The earnings per diluted Class A share for NWLI increased to $51.10 in 2021 from $26.11 in 2020.

What were the factors contributing to National Western Life Group's financial success in 2021?

Key factors included record life insurance sales, a significant increase in annuity sales, and effective investment strategies.

How does the book value per share for NWLI compare year over year?

As of December 31, 2021, NWLI's book value per share was $698.48, which indicates stable financial performance.