Everest Re Group Reports First Quarter 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Everest Re Group reported strong first-quarter 2021 results with a net income of $342 million, equating to $8.52 per share. The company achieved a gross written premium growth of 14% and net written premium growth of 16%. The attritional combined ratio improved to 87.3%, reflecting effective underwriting strategies despite pre-tax catastrophe losses of $270 million. Investment income reached $260.4 million, contributing to a flat shareholders' equity of $9.7 billion. The company declared common share dividends of $1.55 per share, demonstrating its commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Positive

• Net income of $342 million, up from $16.6 million YoY.
• Gross written premium increased by 14% and net written premium by 16%.
• Improvement in attritional combined ratio to 87.3%.
• Strong investment income of $260.4 million, including $120.3 million in alternative gains.
• Common share dividends declared at $1.55 per share.

Negative

• Pre-tax net catastrophe losses totaled $270 million.
• Flat shareholders' equity at $9.7 billion compared to year-end 2020.

Everest Re Group, Ltd. (“Everest” or the “Company”) today reported its 2021 first quarter results.

First Quarter 2021 Highlights

• Net income of $342 million equal to $8.52 per share
• Net operating income of $260 million, equal to $6.49 per share
• Gross written premium growth of 14% and net written premium growth of 16%
• Attritional combined ratio of 87.3%, a 2.5-point improvement year over year
• Underwriting income of $45 million inclusive of pre-tax net catastrophe losses of $270 million ($260 million net of reinstatement premiums)
• No change to the Covid-19 Pandemic (“Pandemic”) loss provision
• Combined ratio of 98.1%
• Operating cashflow of $904 million for the quarter

The following table summarizes the Company’s net income and related financial metrics.

Net income and operating income		Q1		Year to Date				Q1		Year to Date
All values in USD millions except for per share amounts and percentages		2021		2021				2020		2020
Everest Re Group
Net income		341.9		341.9				16.6		16.6
Net operating income (loss)		260.2		260.2				164.4		164.4
Net income per diluted common share		8.52		8.52				0.41		0.41
Net operating income per diluted common share		6.49		6.49				4.03		4.03
Net income annualized return on average equity		15.0%		15.0%				0.8%		0.8%
Net operating income annualized return on average equity		11.4%		11.4%				7.6%		7.6%

Everest Re Group President & CEO Juan C. Andrade commented on the Company’s results:

“Firstly, our thoughts are with those impacted by the U.S. winter storms and the flooding in Australia. I am very proud of the work our claims team is doing on the ground to help those affected rebuild their lives.

Everest had a strong start to 2021 with robust growth, strong overall profitability, continued improvement in attritional underwriting margins, and excellent investment performance. Our first quarter results further illustrate the earnings power of Everest and our success in implementing our strategy to build a broadly diversified company with a relentless focus on strong operational performance and disciplined underwriting.”

The following information summarizes the Company’s underwriting results, on a consolidated basis and also by segment – Reinsurance and Insurance, with selected commentary on results by segment.

Underwriting information - Everest Re Group		Q1		Year to Date				Q1		Year to Date				Year on Year Change
All values in USD millions except for percentages		2021		2021				2020		2020				Q1		Year to Date
Gross written premium		2,931.4		2,931.4				2,570.9		2,570.9				14.0%		14.0%
Net written premium		2,553.9		2,553.9				2,201.5		2,201.5				16.0%		16.0%
Combined ratio		98.1%		98.1%				98.6%		98.6%				-0.5 pts		-0.5 pts
Attritional combined ratio		87.3%		87.3%				89.8%		89.8%				-2.5 pts		-2.5 pts
Pre-tax net catastrophe losses		260.0		260.0				30.0		30.0
Pre-tax net covid losses		-		-				150.0		150.0
Pre-tax net prior year reserve development		-		-				(2.6)		(2.6)
Notes
1/ Attritional ratios exclude prior year reserve development, Covid-19 pandemic impact, catastrophe losses, and reinstatement premiums
2/Pre-tax net catastrophe losses are net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums

Reinsurance segment

• The Reinsurance segment achieved strong growth with gross written premiums up 16% for the quarter, driven by a successful January 1 renewal season. The targeted and disciplined growth was driven by rate, increased shares on profitable deals, and new opportunities in property, casualty, specialty lines, and facultative business.

• The improved attritional combined ratio for the quarter included proactive underwriting actions to improve risk adjusted returns and achieve a lower loss ratio, while the acquisition expense ratio declined primarily due to changes in business mix. We continue to write a stronger, more diversified, and more profitable book.

• The April renewal season was successfully completed with the Reinsurance segment capturing rate increases on Japanese and retrocessional business and pro-rata business benefitting from primary rate improvement.

Underwriting information - Reinsurance segment		Q1		Year to Date				Q1		Year to Date				Year on Year Change
All values in USD millions except for percentages		2021		2021				2020		2020				Q1		Year to Date
Gross written premium		2,059.0		2,059.0				1,777.8		1,777.8				15.8%		15.8%
Net written premium		1,912.9		1,912.9				1,613.1		1,613.1				18.6%		18.6%
Combined ratio		97.5%		97.5%				96.6%		96.6%				0.9 pts		0.9 pts
Attritional combined ratio		85.5%		85.5%				87.8%		87.8%				-2.3 pts		-2.3 pts
Pre-tax net catastrophe losses		212.5		212.5				24.5		24.5
Pre-tax net covid losses		-		-				110.0		110.0
Pre-tax net prior year reserve development		(1.8)		(1.8)				(2.6)		(2.6)
Notes
1/ Attritional ratios exclude prior year reserve development, Covid-19 pandemic impact, catastrophe losses, and reinstatement premiums
2/Pre-tax net catastrophe losses are net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums

Insurance segment

• The Company’s Insurance segment achieved strong growth with gross written premiums, up 10% for the quarter (20% excluding worker’s compensation) with notable growth in specialty casualty, property/short-tail and professional liability classes of business, offset by reductions in workers’ compensation as we purposely sought growth in lines with more attractive pricing.

• The improved attritional combined ratio for the quarter reflected a more profitable mix of business resulting from continued disciplined cycle management, with reductions in both the loss and expense ratios.

• Continued strong rate growth in excess of trend with renewal rate increases of 16% in the quarter excluding workers compensation, and up 10% including workers compensation.

Underwriting information - Insurance segment		Q1		Year to Date				Q1		Year to Date				Year on Year Change
All values in USD millions except for percentages		2021		2021				2020		2020				Q1		Year to Date
Gross written premium		872.4		872.4				793.1		793.1				10.0%		10.0%
Net written premium		641.0		641.0				588.4		588.4				8.9%		8.9%
Combined ratio		99.9%		99.9%				103.9%		103.9%				-4.0 pts		-4.0 pts
Attritional combined ratio		92.2%		92.2%				94.9%		94.9%				-2.7 pts		-2.7 pts
Pre-tax net catastrophe losses		47.5		47.5				5.5		5.5
Pre-tax net covid losses		-		-				40.0		40.0
Pre-tax net prior year reserve development		-		-				-		-
Notes
1/ Attritional ratios exclude prior year reserve development, Covid-19 pandemic impact, catastrophe losses, and reinstatement premiums
2/Pre-tax net catastrophe losses are net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums

Investments and Shareholders’ Equity

• Net investment income of $260.4 million for the quarter including alternative investment gains of $120.3 million for the quarter
• Total invested assets and cash of $25.9 billion at March 31, 2021, 1.9% growth versus year end 2020
• Shareholders’ equity remained flat at $9.7 billion as of March 31, 2021, versus year end 2020
• Book value per diluted share of $241.57 at March 31, 2021
• Common share dividends declared and paid in the quarter of $1.55 per share, equal to $62.2 million
• Common share repurchases of $23.5 million during the quarter, representing 97,462 shares at an average price of $241.58 per share

Equity and Book Value per Share		Q1			Q1
All values in USD millions except per share amounts		2021			2020
Beginning shareholders' equity		9,726.2			9,132.9
Net income		341.9			16.6
Change in investment unrealized gains (URAD)		(292.3	)		(248.0	)
Dividends to shareholders		(62.2	)		(63.3	)
Purchase of treasury shares		(23.5	)		(200.0	)
Other		(7.2	)		(57.3	)
Ending shareholders' equity		9,682.9			8,580.9
Diluted common shares outstanding		40.1			40.0
Book value per diluted common share		241.57			214.59
Common share dividends paid - last 12 months		6.20			5.90
Dividend adjusted growth in BVPS - last 12 months		15.5	%		7.2	%

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. Federal securities laws. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made on behalf of the Company. These risks and uncertainties include the impact of general economic conditions and conditions affecting the insurance and reinsurance industry, the adequacy of our reserves, our ability to assess underwriting risk, trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, competition, investment market and investment income fluctuations, trends in insured and paid losses, catastrophes, pandemic, regulatory and legal uncertainties and other factors described in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Everest Re Group, Ltd.

Everest Re Group, Ltd. (“Everest”) is a leading global provider of reinsurance and insurance, operating for close to 50 years through subsidiaries in the U.S., Europe, Singapore, Canada, Bermuda, and other territories.

Everest offers property, casualty, and specialty products through its various operating affiliates located in key markets around the world.

Everest common stock (NYSE:RE) is a component of the S&P 500 index.

Additional information about Everest, our people, and our products can be found on our website at www.everestre.com. All issuing companies may not do business in all jurisdictions.

A conference call discussing the second quarter results will be held at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 29, 2021. The call will be available on the Internet through the Company’s web site at everestre.com/investors.

Recipients are encouraged to visit the Company’s web site to view supplemental financial information on the Company’s results. The supplemental information is located at www.everestre.com in the “Investors/Financial Reports/Quarterly Reports” section of the website. The supplemental financial information may also be obtained by contacting the Company directly.

_______________________________________________

The Company generally uses after-tax operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate its performance. After-tax operating income (loss) consists of net income (loss) excluding after-tax net realized capital gains (losses) and after-tax net foreign exchange income (expense) as the following reconciliation displays:

		Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		2021						2020
					(unaudited)
					Per Diluted							Per Diluted
					Common							Common
		Amount			Share			Amount				Share
Net income (loss)		$	341,862		$	8.52		$	16,612			$	0.41
After-tax net realized capital gains (losses)			30,035			0.75			(172,364	)			(4.22	)
After-tax net foreign exchange income (expense)			51,618			1.29			24,604				0.60
After-tax operating income (loss)		$	260,209		$	6.49		$	164,372			$	4.03
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)

Although net realized capital gains (losses) and net foreign exchange income (expense) are an integral part of the Company’s insurance operations, the determination of net realized capital gains (losses) and foreign exchange income (expense) is independent of the insurance underwriting process. The Company believes that the level of net realized capital gains (losses) and net foreign exchange income (expense) for any particular period is not indicative of the performance of the underlying business in that particular period. Providing only a GAAP presentation of net income (loss) makes it more difficult for users of the financial information to evaluate the Company’s success or failure in its basic business and may lead to incorrect or misleading assumptions and conclusions. The Company understands that the equity analysts who follow the Company focus on after-tax operating income (loss) in their analyses for the reasons discussed above. The Company provides after-tax operating income (loss) to investors so that they have what management believes to be a useful supplement to GAAP information concerning the Company’s performance.

--Financial Details Follow--

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		2021				2020
		(unaudited)
REVENUES:
Premiums earned		$	2,387,865			$	2,036,814
Net investment income			260,413				147,800
Net realized capital gains (losses):
Credit allowances on fixed maturity securities			(6,977	)			(21,774	)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities			-				-
Other net realized capital gains (losses)			45,879				(188,814	)
Total net realized capital gains (losses)			38,902				(210,588	)
Other income (expense)			56,593				7,990
Total revenues			2,743,773				1,982,016
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses			1,711,419				1,430,840
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees			489,011				448,522
Other underwriting expenses			142,231				128,860
Corporate expenses			12,378				9,833
Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense			15,639				7,583
Total claims and expenses			2,370,678				2,025,638
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES			373,095				(43,622	)
Income tax expense (benefit)			31,233				(60,234	)
NET INCOME (LOSS)		$	341,862			$	16,612
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period			(288,615	)			(279,398	)
Reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)			(3,666	)			31,399
Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period			(292,281	)			(247,999	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			(9,582	)			(50,824	)
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net (gain) loss included in net income (loss)			2,043				920
Total benefit plan net gain (loss) for the period			2,043				920
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			(299,820	)			(297,903	)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		$	42,042			$	(281,291	)
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic		$	8.53			$	0.41
Diluted			8.52				0.41

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
		March 31,				December 31,
(Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except par value per share)		2021				2020
		(unaudited)
ASSETS:
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value		$	20,407,480			$	20,040,173
(amortized cost: 2021, $19,932,190; 2020, $19,225,067, credit allowances: 2021, ($8,723); 2020, ($1,745))
Equity securities, at fair value			1,400,674				1,472,236
Short-term investments (cost: 2021, $826,777; 2020, $1,135,088)			826,769				1,134,950
Other invested assets (cost: 2021, $2,173,221; 2020, $2,012,581)			2,173,221				2,012,581
Cash			1,132,660				801,651
Total investments and cash			25,940,804				25,461,591
Accrued investment income			156,330				141,304
Premiums receivable			2,789,602				2,680,562
Reinsurance receivables			2,029,734				1,994,555
Funds held by reinsureds			740,554				716,655
Deferred acquisition costs			663,560				622,053
Prepaid reinsurance premiums			441,606				412,015
Income taxes			31,738				17,253
Other assets			801,424				742,369
TOTAL ASSETS		$	33,595,352			$	32,788,357
LIABILITIES:
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses			17,090,644				16,398,997
Future policy benefit reserve			37,561				37,723
Unearned premium reserve			3,704,189				3,501,359
Funds held under reinsurance treaties			13,875				15,807
Other net payable to reinsurers			402,379				294,347
Losses in course of payment			139,382				127,971
Senior notes due 6/1/2044			397,224				397,194
Senior notes due 10/1/2050			979,654				979,524
Long term notes due 5/1/2067			223,699				223,674
Borrowings from FHLB			310,000				310,000
Accrued interest on debt and borrowings			24,035				10,460
Unsettled securities payable			151,174				206,693
Other liabilities			438,654				558,432
Total liabilities			23,912,470				23,062,181
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred shares, par value: $0.01; 50,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding			-				-
Common shares, par value: $0.01; 200,000 shares authorized; (2021) 69,816 and (2020) 69,620 outstanding before treasury shares			698				696
Additional paid-in capital			2,245,737				2,245,301
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of $41,161 at 2021 and $80,451 at 2020			235,079				534,899
Treasury shares, at cost; 29,734 shares (2021) and 29,636 shares (2020)			(3,645,717	)			(3,622,172	)
Retained earnings			10,847,085				10,567,452
Total shareholders' equity			9,682,882				9,726,176
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY		$	33,595,352			$	32,788,357

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)		2021				2020
		(unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)		$	341,862			$	16,612
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable			(105,460	)			(119,548	)
Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net			(25,584	)			(28,973	)
Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables			(14,518	)			(130,593	)
Decrease (increase) in income taxes			24,908				(65,114	)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums			(27,071	)			(10,572	)
Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses			655,054				406,257
Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserve			(162	)			(915	)
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums			196,631				158,744
Increase (decrease) in other net payable to reinsurers			105,390				95,555
Increase (decrease) in losses in course of payment			11,980				(1,422	)
Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships			(116,767	)			(8,512	)
Distribution of limited partnership income			18,125				11,108
Change in other assets and liabilities, net			(149,464	)			(45,259	)
Non-cash compensation expense			11,021				9,393
Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount)			17,323				8,640
Net realized capital (gains) losses			(38,902	)			210,588
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			904,366				505,989
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value			818,352				656,070
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value			228,278				501,953
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value			-				-
Proceeds from equity securities sold, at fair value			281,313				112,841
Distributions from other invested assets			52,211				104,085
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value			(1,776,730	)			(1,359,281	)
Cost of equity securities acquired, at fair value			(174,981	)			(76,513	)
Cost of other invested assets acquired			(98,939	)			(152,269	)
Net change in short-term investments			308,585				(27,882	)
Net change in unsettled securities transactions			(93,610	)			(17,185	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			(455,521	)			(258,181	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Common shares issued during the period for share-based compensation, net of expense			(10,583	)			(12,573	)
Purchase of treasury shares			(23,545	)			(200,020	)
Dividends paid to shareholders			(62,229	)			(63,277	)
Proceeds from revolving credit borrowings			-				50,000
Cost of debt repurchase			-				(1,198	)
Cost of shares withheld on settlements of share-based compensation awards			(12,507	)			(13,982	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(108,864	)			(241,050	)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH			(8,972	)			2,832
Net increase (decrease) in cash			331,009				9,590
Cash, beginning of period			801,651				808,036
Cash, end of period		$	1,132,660			$	817,626
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Income taxes paid (recovered)		$	6,417			$	4,920
Interest paid			1,880				2,817

 

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FAQ

What are the highlights of Everest Re Group's Q1 2021 results?

Everest Re Group reported a net income of $342 million for Q1 2021, with a 14% growth in gross written premiums and a 16% growth in net written premiums.

How did Everest Re Group's combined ratio perform in Q1 2021?

The company achieved an attritional combined ratio of 87.3%, showing a 2.5-point improvement compared to Q1 2020.

What was the net income per share for Everest Re Group in Q1 2021?

The net income per diluted share for Q1 2021 was $8.52.

What were Everest Re Group's pre-tax net catastrophe losses in Q1 2021?

The pre-tax net catastrophe losses for Q1 2021 were $270 million.

How much did Everest Re Group declare in common share dividends for Q1 2021?

Everest Re Group declared common share dividends of $1.55 per share in Q1 2021.