Verisk Analytics, Inc. - VRSK STOCK NEWS

XDimensional Technologies has announced its membership in the Verisk Strategic Alliances network as of June 23, 2020. This partnership allows XDimensional to utilize ISO Electronic Rating Content for enhancing its Nexsure Policy Admin+ Edition Platform. The platform supports various insurance functions including underwriting, policy issuance, and billing, streamlining operations for insurance industry members. CEO Rodney Gist emphasized that this collaboration enables customized insurance programs and removes barriers for insurance value chain participants, enhancing their service offerings.

Commerce Signals, a Verisk Financial company, launched the Covid-19 Consumer Spending Impact Tracker to provide insights into U.S. consumer spending behavior across various retail categories. The tracker offers weekly data on purchases and returns, including online and in-store comparisons, and can be analyzed at the county level. The service uses a dataset encompassing transactions from over 40 million U.S. households, revealing notable shifts in spending patterns during the pandemic. For instance, some retail categories show significant recovery trends.

Verisk (Nasdaq:VRSK) is offering complimentary access to its Coverage Verifier-Verification as a Service (CV-VaaS) for four months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting June 1, 2020, lenders can utilize the digital platform to efficiently verify insurance coverage for vehicles and mortgages, enhancing processing speed. CV-VaaS automates verification by connecting with Verisk’s databases, allowing insurers to establish portals for lenders. Jeremy Cook emphasized the tool's importance in improving operational efficiency amidst pandemic pressures.

Verisk's Xactware has launched XactRemodel GO, a mobile app aimed at helping contractors and remodelers create bids swiftly on-site. Initially released in a limited capacity, the app garnered over 28,000 downloads. It allows users to verify labor and material pricing, generate immediate estimates, and track bid statuses using a robust pricing database covering over 10,000 items across 460 markets in North America. Xactware, with over 30 years of experience, aims to enhance efficiency in the remodeling industry.

Verisk (Nasdaq: VRSK) and Geotab announced the launch of the Verisk Data Exchange™ Add-In on the Geotab Marketplace. This integration allows Geotab's fleet customers to share telematics data with participating insurers, enhancing underwriting and risk assessment capabilities. Saurabh Khemka, President of ISO Commercial Lines, noted that this extends their tools in the commercial auto market, while Geotab's Louis De Jong emphasized improved returns on investment for customers. The Verisk Data Exchange processes data from over 6.2 million vehicles daily, providing actionable insights for risk management.

Verisk (Nasdaq: VRSK) announced that the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) will utilize its Mozart Form Composer® to enhance the regulatory review of property/casualty forms filed by insurers. This collaboration, coordinated with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), expands Mozart's market reach from insurers to regulators. With over 26,000 forms filed last year, TDI aims to streamline form filing and review processes. Verisk's senior VP stated that this development could significantly improve the approval process for insurers, meeting market demands efficiently.

Verisk (Nasdaq: VRSK) announced its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be conducted via a live audio webcast on May 20, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. E.T. This decision is a precautionary measure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the health of employees and shareholders. In-person attendance is not permitted, but shareholders can join virtually, submit questions, and vote using a 16-digit control number from their proxy materials. An official notice will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the new meeting format and time.

The U.S. property/casualty insurance industry showed strong results in 2019 with net income increasing to $61.4 billion from $59.6 billion in 2018. Underwriting gains rose to $3.7 billion, recovering from losses the previous year, and policyholders' surplus reached a record $847.8 billion.

However, the sector faces challenges in 2020 due to COVID-19, including increased unemployment, reduced business activity, and potential capital losses from stock market declines. Insurers are returning auto premiums and monitoring legislative changes that could impact financial stability.

Verisk reported first-quarter 2020 financial results with consolidated revenues of $690 million, representing a 10.4% increase year-over-year. Net income grew by 27.8% to $172 million, while diluted GAAP EPS climbed 28.4% to $1.04. Adjusted EBITDA also rose 9.0% to $318 million.

Despite a 3.5% decline in free cash flow to $310 million, the company maintained strong shareholder returns with $218 million returned through dividends and share repurchases.