EMCI EMC Insurance Group Inc

First Quarter Ended March 31, 2015Operating Income Per Share – $1.45Net Income Per Share – $1.49Net Realized Investment Gains Per Share – $0.04Catastrophe and Storm Losses Per Share – $0.22Large Losses Per Share – $0.20GAAP Combined Ratio – 87.7 percent

2015 Operating Income Guidance – $2.75 to $3.00 per share

EMC Insurance Group Inc. (NASDAQ:EMCI) today reported its best first quarter since becoming a public company in 1982. The Company reported operating income of $19.8 million ($1.45 per share) for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared to operating income of $9.8 million ($0.73 per share) for the first quarter of 20141.

Net income, including realized investment gains and losses, totaled $20.3 million ($1.49 per share) for the first quarter of 2015, compared to $10.6 million ($0.79 per share) for the first quarter of 2014.

The Company’s GAAP combined ratio was 87.7 percent in the first quarter of 2015, compared to 98.2 percent in the first quarter of 2014.

“We are very pleased to report a record-breaking first quarter,” stated President and Chief Executive Officer Bruce G. Kelley. “This strong start to the year provides a solid foundation to work from as we continue to focus on improving underwriting profitability.

“Although the Northeast experienced severe winter weather during the first quarter, our losses from cold weather events were not widespread and had little impact on first quarter results. Premium growth remained strong in the mid-single digits in the property and casualty insurance segment. This growth continues to come from a variety of programs and industries across our 16 branch offices. In addition, we continue to navigate the challenging reinsurance marketplace as it remains under pressure due to the influx of nontraditional capital.

“Our outstanding first quarter performance lays the groundwork for achievement of our 2015 guidance as we strive to increase the value of our stockholders’ investment.”

In addition, the Company announced that its board of directors has approved a three-for-two stock split of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, to be effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend. Stockholders of record at the close of business on June 16, 2015, will receive one additional share of EMC Insurance Group Inc. common stock for every two shares of common stock held. The additional shares of EMC Insurance Group Inc. common stock will be distributed on June 23, 2015. The par value of the common stock will remain at $1.00 per share after the completion of the stock split. This stock split will not change the proportionate interest that a stockholder has in the company. After giving effect to the stock split, the number of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock will increase to approximately 20.6 million shares, up from approximately 13.7 million shares outstanding prior to the split.

“In light of our strong first quarter and recent stock price appreciation, we felt it was an appropriate time to implement a stock split, which should enhance the liquidity of our shares and make them more accessible and attractive to a broader range of investors,” Kelley concluded.

Returning to the quarterly results, premiums earned increased 4.2 percent to $138.7 million for the first quarter of 2015, from $133.1 million in the first quarter of 2014. In the property and casualty insurance segment, premiums earned increased 6.9 percent, with the majority of the increase attributable to rate level increases on renewal business and, to a lesser extent, growth in insured exposures. In the reinsurance segment, premiums earned decreased 4.1 percent due to a non-recurring upward revision in the estimated ultimate premium on all accounts in the pro rata property line of business that was recognized in the first quarter of 2014.

Catastrophe and storm losses totaled $4.6 million ($0.22 per share after tax) in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $7.4 million ($0.36 per share after tax) in the first quarter of 2014, which included approximately $4.0 million of losses in the property and casualty insurance segment attributed to the polar vortex that impacted the eastern United States in early January of 2014. First quarter 2015 catastrophe and storm losses accounted for 3.3 percentage points of the combined ratio, which is well below the Company’s most recent 10-year average for this period of 5.5 percentage points and the 5.6 percentage points experienced in the first quarter of 2014. On a segment basis, catastrophe and storm losses amounted to $1.8 million ($0.09 per share after tax) in the property and casualty insurance segment and $2.8 million ($0.13 per share after tax) in the reinsurance segment for the first quarter of 2015.

The Company reported $14.6 million ($0.70 per share after tax) of favorable development on prior years’ reserves during the first quarter of 2015, compared to $2.6 million ($0.13 per share after tax) in the first quarter of 2014. While both segments experienced an increase in favorable development, the majority of the increase occurred in the property and casualty insurance segment, and is largely attributed to a return to historically observed development patterns on claims reported in prior accident years. Development amounts can vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year depending on a number of factors, including the number of claims settled and the settlement terms, and should therefore not be considered a reliable factor in assessing the adequacy of the Company’s carried reserves. The most recent actuarial analysis of the Company’s carried reserves indicates that carried reserves remain within the top quartile of the range of reasonable reserves.

Large losses (which the Company defines as losses greater than $500,000 for the EMC Insurance Companies pool, excluding catastrophe and storm losses) were relatively flat in the first quarter of 2015 totaling $4.3 million ($0.20 per share after tax), compared to $4.2 million ($0.20 per share after tax) in the first quarter of 2014.

Net investment income decreased 5.5 percent to $11.2 million for the first quarter of 2015 from $11.9 million in the first quarter of 2014. Approximately $442,000 (3.7 percentage points) of the decline is attributed to the early payoff of a commercial mortgage-backed security during the first quarter of 2014 that was purchased at a significant discount to par value. The early payoff accelerated the accretion of the discount to par value, and therefore increased investment income. In addition, net investment income in the first quarter of 2014 included certain one-time dividend payments that were not received in the first quarter of 2015.

Net realized investment gains totaled $509,000 ($0.04 per share) for the first quarter of 2015, compared to $820,000 ($0.06 per share) in the first quarter of 2014. Included in the net realized investment gains reported for the first quarters of 2015 and 2014 are $909,000 and $239,000, respectively, of net realized investment losses attributed to the decline in the carrying value of a limited partnership that helps to protect the Company from a sudden and significant decline in the value of its equity portfolio.

At March 31, 2015, consolidated assets totaled $1.5 billion, including $1.4 billion in the investment portfolio, and stockholders’ equity totaled $527.2 million, an increase of 4.8 percent from December 31, 2014. Book value of the Company’s stock increased 3.8 percent to $38.48 per share, from $37.08 per share at December 31, 2014. Book value excluding accumulated other comprehensive income increased to $32.29 per share from $31.06 per share at December 31, 2014.

Despite the record first quarter results, management is reaffirming its 2015 operating income guidance in the range of $2.75 to $3.00 per share on a pre-split basis. This is due to the fact that actual first quarter operating results were only slightly better than expectations. In addition, second and third quarter operating results can be volatile depending on the frequency and severity of Midwest storms, and the possibility of hurricane-related losses. This guidance is based on a projected GAAP combined ratio of 97.8 percent for the year and investment income consistent with the amount reported in 2014. The projected GAAP combined ratio has a load of 11.0 points for catastrophe and storm losses.

The Company will hold an earnings teleconference call at noon Eastern time on Thursday, May 7, 2015 to provide securities analysts, stockholders and other interested parties the opportunity to hear management discuss the Company’s results for the first quarter, as well as its expectations for the rest of 2015. Dial-in information for the call is toll-free 1-877-407-9205 (International: 1-201-689-8054).

Members of the news media, investors and the general public are invited to access a live webcast of the conference call via the Company’s investor relations page at www.emcins.com/ir. The webcast will be archived and available for replay until August 7, 2015. A transcript of the teleconference will also be available on the Company’s website shortly after the completion of the teleconference.

About EMCI:EMC Insurance Group Inc. is a publicly held insurance holding company with operations in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, which was formed in 1974 and became publicly held in 1982. The Company’s common stock trades on the Global Select Market tier of the NASDAQ OMX Stock Market under the symbol EMCI. Additional information regarding EMC Insurance Group Inc. may be found at www.emcins.com/ir. EMCI’s parent company is Employers Mutual Casualty Company (EMCC). EMCI and EMCC, together with their subsidiary and affiliated companies, conduct operations under the trade name EMC Insurance Companies.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides issuers the opportunity to make cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements. Accordingly, any forward-looking statement contained in this report is based on management’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company’s future performance, taking into account all information currently available to management. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as the result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to management. If a change occurs, the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.

The risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of the Company include, but are not limited to, the following:

• catastrophic events and the occurrence of significant severe weather conditions;
• the adequacy of loss and settlement expense reserves;
• state and federal legislation and regulations;
• changes in the property and casualty insurance industry, interest rates or the performance of financial markets and the general economy;
• rating agency actions;
• “other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses; and
• other risks and uncertainties inherent to the Company’s business, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Management intends to identify forward-looking statements when using the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that it may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

1 The Company prepares its public financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the Unites States of America (GAAP). Operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure, calculated by excluding net realized investment gains from net income. The Company’s calculation of operating income may differ from similar measures used by other companies, so investors should exercise caution when comparing the Company’s measure of operating income to the measure of other companies. Management’s projected operating income guidance is also considered a non-GAAP financial measure.

Management believes operating income is useful to investors because it illustrates the performance of our normal, ongoing operations, which is important in understanding and evaluating our financial condition and results of operations. While this measure is consistent with measures utilized by investors to evaluate performance, it is not a substitute for the GAAP financial measure of net income. Therefore, the Company has provided the following reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of operating income to the GAAP financial measure of net income. Management also uses non-GAAP financial measures for goal setting, determining employee and senior management awards and compensation, and evaluating performance.

The reconciliation of operating income to net income is as follows:

    Three Months Ended March 31, 2015     2014 ($ in thousands) Operating income $ 19,821 $ 9,775 Net realized investment gains   509   820 Net income $ 20,330 $ 10,595     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - UNAUDITED ($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)       Property and             Casualty Parent Quarter Ended March 31, 2015     Insurance     Reinsurance    

 Company 

    Consolidated

Revenues:

Premiums earned $ 108,205 $ 30,526 $ - $ 138,731 Investment income, net 8,026 3,184 (4 ) 11,206 Other income   182     1,433     -     1,615     116,413     35,143     (4 )   151,552  

Losses and expenses:

Losses and settlement expenses 56,675 19,110 - 75,785 Dividends to policyholders 2,900 - - 2,900 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs 18,379 7,062 - 25,441 Other underwriting expenses 16,173 1,348 - 17,521 Interest expense 84 - - 84 Other expenses   206     -     461     667     94,417     27,520     461     122,398   Operating income (loss) before income taxes   21,996     7,623     (465 )   29,154   Realized investment gains   700     83     -     783   Income (loss) before income taxes   22,696     7,706     (465 )   29,937  

Income tax expense (benefit):

Current 7,585 1,783 (163 ) 9,205 Deferred   (290 )   692     -     402     7,295     2,475     (163 )   9,607   Net Income (loss) $ 15,401   $ 5,231   $ (302 ) $ 20,330   Average shares outstanding 13,624,201

Per Share Data:

Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted $ 1.13 $ 0.38 $ (0.02 ) $ 1.49 Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax) $ 0.09 $ 0.13 $ - $ 0.22 Large losses* (after tax) $ 0.20 $ - $ - $ 0.20

Reported favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves (after tax)

$ 0.44 $ 0.26 $ - $ 0.70 Dividends per share $ 0.25 Book value per share $ 38.48 Effective tax rate 32.1 % Annualized net income as a percent of beg. SH equity 16.2 %

Other Information of Interest:

Net written premiums $ 108,796 $ 34,128 $ - $ 142,924 Catastrophe and storm losses $ 1,761 $ 2,809 $ - $ 4,570 Large losses* $ 4,258 $ - $ - $ 4,258

Reported favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves

$ (9,265 ) $ (5,328 ) $ - $ (14,593 )

GAAP Ratios:

Loss and settlement expense ratio 52.4 % 62.6 % - 54.6 % Acquisition expense ratio   34.6 %   27.6 %   -     33.1 % Combined ratio   87.0 %   90.2 %   -     87.7 %   *Large losses are defined as losses greater than $500 for the EMC Insurance Companies pool, excluding catastrophe and storm losses.     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - UNAUDITED ($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)       Property and             Casualty Parent Quarter Ended March 31, 2014     Insurance     Reinsurance    

 Company 

    Consolidated

Revenues:

Premiums earned $ 101,247 $ 31,833 $ - $ 133,080 Investment income, net 8,616 3,243 (4 ) 11,855 Other income   201     (167 )   -     34     110,064     34,909     (4 )   144,969  

Losses and expenses:

Losses and settlement expenses 67,726 21,243 - 88,969 Dividends to policyholders 1,716 - - 1,716 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs 17,741 6,874 - 24,615 Other underwriting expenses 14,539 891 - 15,430 Interest expense 84 - - 84 Other expenses   174     -     354     528     101,980     29,008     354     131,342   Operating income (loss) before income taxes   8,084     5,901     (358 )   13,627   Realized investment gains   1,011     251     -     1,262   Income (loss) before income taxes   9,095     6,152     (358 )   14,889  

Income tax expense (benefit):

Current 2,217 2,010 (125 ) 4,102 Deferred   326     (134 )   -     192     2,543     1,876     (125 )   4,294   Net Income (loss) $ 6,552   $ 4,276   $ (233 ) $ 10,595   Average shares outstanding 13,348,730

Per Share Data:

Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted $ 0.49 $ 0.32 $ (0.02 ) $ 0.79 Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax) $ 0.34 $ 0.02 $ - $ 0.36 Large losses* (after tax) $ 0.20 $ - $ - $ 0.20

Reported favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves (after tax)

$ 0.05 $ 0.08 $ - $ 0.13 Dividends per share $ 0.23 Book value per share $ 35.42 Effective tax rate 28.8 % Annualized net income as a percent of beg. SH equity 9.3 %

Other Information of Interest:

Net written premiums $ 102,513 $ 32,892 $ - $ 135,405 Catastrophe and storm losses $ 6,972 $ 440 $ - $ 7,412 Large losses* $ 4,196 $ - $ - $ 4,196

Reported favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves

$ (939 ) $ (1,649 ) $ - $ (2,588 )

GAAP Ratios:

Loss and settlement expense ratio 66.9 % 66.7 % - 66.9 % Acquisition expense ratio   33.6 %   24.4 %   -     31.3 % Combined ratio   100.5 %   91.1 %   -     98.2 %   *Large losses are defined as losses greater than $500 for the EMC Insurance Companies pool, excluding catastrophe and storm losses.     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)      

  March 31,  

    December 31, 2015 2014

 (Unaudited) 

ASSETS Investments:

Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,084,305 and $1,080,006)

$ 1,138,223 $ 1,127,499

Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $127,418 and $123,972)

199,557 197,036 Other long-term investments 9,717 6,227 Short-term investments   47,233   53,262 Total investments 1,394,730 1,384,024   Cash 404 383 Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate 27,304 28,603 Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate 7,098 8,865 Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $40,605 and $38,930) 41,128 39,343

Amounts due from affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances

7,594 - Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate 17,134 17,360 Accrued investment income 11,403 10,295 Accounts receivable 2,179 1,767 Goodwill 942 942 Other assets (affiliated $3,966 and $4,900)   4,043   6,238 Total assets $ 1,513,959 $ 1,497,820   LIABILITIES Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $647,663 and $650,652) $ 657,285 $ 661,309 Unearned premiums (affiliated $232,814 and $230,460) 234,471 232,093 Other policyholders' funds (all affiliated) 11,109 10,153 Surplus notes payable to affiliate 25,000 25,000 Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances - 8,559 Pension benefits payable to affiliate 3,963 4,162 Income taxes payable 8,671 3 Deferred income taxes 30,791 28,654 Other liabilities (affiliated $15,394 and $23,941)   15,470   25,001 Total liabilities   986,760   994,934   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 13,700,025 shares in 2015 and 13,562,980 shares in 2014

13,700 13,563 Additional paid-in capital 110,684 106,672 Accumulated other comprehensive income 84,884 81,662 Retained earnings   317,931   300,989 Total stockholders' equity   527,199   502,886 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,513,959 $ 1,497,820  

INVESTMENTS

The Company had total cash and invested assets with a carrying value of $1.4 billion as of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively. The following table summarizes the Company's cash and invested assets as of the dates indicated:

                March 31, 2015 Percent of Amortized Fair Total Carrying ($ in thousands) Cost Value Fair Value Value Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale $ 1,084,305 $ 1,138,223 81.6 % $ 1,138,223 Equity securities available-for-sale 127,418 199,557 14.3 % 199,557 Cash 404 404 - 404 Short-term investments 47,233 47,233 3.4 % 47,233 Other long-term investments   9,717     9,717   0.7 %   9,717 $ 1,269,077   $ 1,395,134   100.0 % $ 1,395,134   December 31, 2014 Percent of Amortized Fair Total Carrying ($ in thousands) Cost Value Fair Value Value Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale $ 1,080,006 $ 1,127,499 81.5 % $ 1,127,499 Equity securities available-for-sale 123,972 197,036 14.2 % 197,036 Cash 383 383 - 383 Short-term investments 53,262 53,262 3.9 % 53,262 Other long-term investments   6,227     6,227   0.4 %   6,227 $ 1,263,850   $ 1,384,407   100.0 % $ 1,384,407   NET WRITTEN PREMIUMS Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Percent of Percent of Increase/(Decrease) Net Written in Net Written Premiums Premiums Property and Casualty Insurance Commercial Lines: Automobile 19.1 % 9.7 % Liability 16.6 % 7.3 % Property 17.2 % 5.5 % Workers' compensation 14.9 % 5.4 % Other   1.4 % 39.6 % Total commercial lines   69.2 % 7.6 %   Personal Lines: Automobile 3.9 % (9.0 )% Property 2.9 % (3.5 )% Liability   0.1 % 7.7 % Total personal lines   6.9 % (6.5 )% Total property and casualty insurance   76.1 % 6.1 %   Reinsurance: Pro rata 10.4 % 5.5 % Excess of loss   13.5 % 2.5 % Total reinsurance   23.9 % 3.8 % Total   100.0 % 5.6 %  

EMC Insurance Group Inc.Investors:Steve Walsh, 515-345-2515orMedia:Lisa Hamilton, 515-345-7589