MARIETTA, Pa., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Donegal Group Inc. (NASDAQ:DGICANASDAQ:DGICB) today reported net income for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2005.
Net income for the fourth quarter of 2005 increased 36.4% to $9,851,977, or $.52 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $7,224,890, or $.40 per share on a diluted basis, for the fourth quarter of 2004. The Company's fourth quarter earnings continued to reflect the solid revenue growth and excellent underwriting results achieved throughout 2005. Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2005 were $81,709,601, an increase of 8.3% over a year earlier, with premiums earned of $74,713,365, a 7.2% increase over the fourth quarter of 2004.
Net investment income grew 20.9% to $5,159,030 for the fourth quarter of 2005, compared to $4,266,222 for the fourth quarter of 2004. Tax-exempt interest income increased as the Company continued to shift its invested asset mix from short-term investments to tax-exempt municipal bonds. This strategic shift resulted in an increase in the Company's average pre-tax investment yield to 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2005, compared to 3.4% in the fourth quarter of 2004, and further allowed the Company to maintain a comparable effective tax rate in both periods notwithstanding the substantial increase in income before income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to the comparable period in 2004.
The Company's combined ratio improved to 89.4% for the fourth quarter of 2005, compared to 92.7% for the fourth quarter of 2004. The Company's loss ratio for the fourth quarter of 2005 was 60.4%, slightly higher than the loss ratio of 59.6% posted for the fourth quarter of 2004. The Company's expense ratio decreased to 28.4% for the fourth quarter of 2005, compared to 32.5% for the fourth quarter of 2004. The reduction in the expense ratio for the fourth quarter of 2005 reflected lower levels of incentive compensation due to the slight increase in the loss ratio during the quarter and a reduction in estimated guaranty fund assessments.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased 41.2% to $36,949,497, or $1.98 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $26,168,599, or $1.44 per share on a diluted basis, before extraordinary item for the year ended December 31, 2004. Net income for the year 2004 was $31,614,269, or $1.74 per share on a diluted basis, which included an extraordinary gain of $5,445,670, or $.30 per share on a diluted basis, recorded in the first quarter of 2004 related to an acquisition.
"We are pleased that our emphasis on quality growth and underwriting discipline led to a continuation of excellent operating results in the fourth quarter, and we are especially pleased to report a record level of profitability in 2005 for the fourth consecutive year," stated Donald H. Nikolaus, President and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc.
The Company's combined ratio for the full year 2005 was 89.5%, compared to a combined ratio of 93.1% for 2004. The Company's loss ratio for the full year 2005 improved to 56.9%, compared to 61.7% for 2004.
The steady revenue growth and excellent operating results throughout 2005 contributed to an increase in the Company's book value to $15.07 per common share at December 31, 2005, compared to $13.53 per common share at December 31, 2004.
All 2004 per share information has been restated to reflect a 4-for-3 stock split effected in the form of a 33-1/3% stock dividend on March 28, 2005.
The Company will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, February 23, 2006, beginning at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time. You may participate in the conference call by calling 1-866-700-0161 (Passcode 58064750) or listen via Internet by accessing the "Earnings Release Webcast" link in the Investor Relations area of the Company's web site at http://www.donegalgroup.com/. An instant replay of the conference call will be available until March 6, 2006 by calling 1-888-286-8010 (Passcode 27386733).
Donegal Group Inc. is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries offer personal and commercial property and casualty lines of insurance in five Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania), eight Southeastern states (Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) and five Midwestern states (Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Dakota).
All statements contained in this press release that are not historic facts are based on current expectations. Such statements are forward-looking (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) in nature and necessarily involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially. The factors that could cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to maintain profitable operations, the adequacy of the Company's reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, business and economic conditions in the areas in which the Company operates, severe weather events, competition from various insurance and non-insurance businesses, terrorism, legal and judicial developments, changes in regulatory requirements and other risks that are described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
Three Months Ended December 31
2005 2004* Net premiums earned $74,713,365 $69,682,332
Investment income, net of investment
expenses 5,159,030 4,266,222
Net realized investment gains 567,561 373,855
Total revenues 81,709,601 75,480,902 Net income $9,851,977 $7,224,890 Net income per common share:
Basic $0.54 $0.41
Diluted $0.52 $0.40
Year Ended December 31
2005 2004* Net premiums earned $294,498,023 $265,838,594
Investment income, net of investment
expenses 18,471,963 15,906,728
Net realized investment gains 1,802,809 1,466,220
Total revenues 319,847,194 287,788,638 Income before extraordinary item $36,949,497 $26,168,599
Net income after extraordinary item $36,949,497 $31,614,269 Income per common share before
extraordinary item:
Basic $2.05 $1.49
Diluted $1.98 $1.44 Net income per common share after
extraordinary item:
Basic $2.05 $1.80
Diluted $1.98 $1.74 *Per share information restated for 4-for-3 stock split Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited; in thousands, except share data) Quarter Ended December 31
2005 2004* Net premiums earned $74,713 $69,682
Investment income, net of investment
expenses 5,159 4,266
Net realized investment gains 568 374
Lease income 243 228
Installment payment fees 1,027 931
Total revenues 81,710 75,481 Net losses and loss expenses 45,125 41,524
Amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs 11,943 11,186
Other underwriting expenses 9,249 11,446
Other expenses 496 237
Policyholder dividends 440 435
Interest expense 636 499
Total expenses 67,889 65,327 Income before income tax expense 13,821 10,154
Income tax expense 3,969 2,929
Net income $9,852 $7,225 Net income per common share:
Basic $0.54 $0.41
Diluted $0.52 $0.40 Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data Weighted average number of shares
outstanding:
Basic 18,258,424 17,836,735
Diluted 18,815,397 18,335,917 Net written premiums $70,172 $70,012 Book value per common share $15.07 $13.53 *Per share information restated for 4-for-3 stock split Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited; in thousands, except share data) Year Ended December 31
2005 2004* Net premiums earned $294,498 $265,838
Investment income, net of investment
expenses 18,472 15,907
Net realized investment gains 1,803 1,466
Lease income 951 890
Installment payment fees 4,123 3,687
Total revenues 319,847 287,788 Net losses and loss expenses 167,542 164,141
Amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs 47,234 39,434
Other underwriting expenses 47,163 42,544
Other expenses 1,676 1,700
Policyholder dividends 1,621 1,301
Interest expense 2,266 1,614
Total expenses 267,502 250,734 Income before income tax expense and
extraordinary item 52,345 37,054
Income tax expense 15,396 10,885
Income before extraordinary item 36,949 26,169
Extraordinary item - 5,445 Net income $36,949 $31,614 Income per common share before
extraordinary item:
Basic $2.05 $1.49
Diluted $1.98 $1.44 Net income per common share after
extraordinary item:
Basic $2.05 $1.80
Diluted $1.98 $1.74 Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data Weighted average number of shares
outstanding:
Basic 18,044,049 17,545,913
Diluted 18,625,185 18,180,229 Net written premiums $302,544 $283,282 Book value per common share $15.07 $13.53 *Per share information restated for 4-for-3 stock split Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited; in thousands) December 31,
2005 2004 ASSETS:
Investments:
Fixed maturities:
Held to maturity, at
amortized cost $180,182 $182,574
Available for sale, at fair
value 295,097 226,757
Equity securities, at fair value 33,371 33,505
Investments in affiliates 8,442 8,865
Short-term investments, at cost,
which approximates fair value 30,654 47,368
Total investments 547,746 499,069
Cash 3,811 7,350
Premiums receivable 47,124 44,267
Reinsurance receivable 94,137 98,479
Accrued investment income 5,521 4,961
Deferred policy acquisition costs 23,477 22,258
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 40,063 35,907
Property and equipment, net 5,234 5,509
Deferred tax asset, net 11,533 10,922
Other assets 2,776 6,693
Total assets $781,422 $735,415
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Losses and loss expenses $265,730 $267,190
Unearned premiums 186,660 174,458
Accrued expenses 12,706 13,414
Subordinated debentures 30,929 30,929
Due to affiliate 728 241
Other liabilities 6,773 6,479
Total liabilities 503,526 492,711
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock - -
Class A common stock 144 139
Class B common stock 42 42
Additional paid-in capital 141,933 131,980
Accumulated other comprehensive income 2,532 4,750
Retained earnings 134,137 106,685
Treasury stock, at cost (892) (892)
Total stockholders' equity 277,896 242,704
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $781,422 $735,415
First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: jeffmiller@donegalgroup.com DATASOURCE: Donegal Group Inc.
CONTACT: Jeffrey D. Miller, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Donegal Group, +1-717-426-1931 or Fax, +1-717-426-7009 Web site: http://www.donegalgroup.com/
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