RLI Reports 2011 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

PEORIA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RLI Corp. (NYSE: RLI) – RLI Corp. reported fourth quarter 2011 operating earnings of $28.9 million ($1.35 per share), versus $35.1 million ($1.66 per share) for the comparable period last year. For the year ended December 31, 2011, operating earnings were $119.5 million ($5.58 per share), compared to $112.3 million ($5.29 per share) for the 2010 fiscal year.

Highlights for the quarter included:

• Combined ratio of 81.5.
• Underwriting income of $26.8 million.
• 12% growth in gross premiums written, including 8% growth driven by CBIC acquisition.
• $10.6 million ($0.32 per share) pretax favorable development in prior years’ loss reserves, net of effects on bonus and profit sharing-related expenses.
• Comprehensive earnings of $58.3 million ($2.72 per share).
• Special dividend of $5.00 per share, representing $105.8 million returned to shareholders and resulting in a tax benefit of $2.7 million ($0.13 per share) as dividends to the ESOP are fully deductible.

Highlights for the year-ended 2011 included:

• Combined ratio of 78.4.
• Underwriting income of $116.3 million.
• 10% growth in gross premiums written, including 6% growth driven by CBIC acquisition.
• $91.7 million ($2.79 per share) pretax favorable development in prior years’ loss reserves, net of effects on bonus and profit sharing-related expenses.
• Comprehensive earnings of $151.9 million ($7.09 per share).
• Book value per share of $38.69 at year-end, representing an increase of 16%, excluding the special dividend.
• Return on equity for the trailing four quarters was 15.7%.
• Acquired Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company (CBIC).

“Throughout the fourth quarter and the year, we delivered strong financial results to our shareholders despite the challenges presented by a tough operating environment,” said RLI Corp. Chairman & CEO Jonathan E. Michael. “Our success reflects the advantages derived from our diversified business model and focus on disciplined underwriting and execution. I am pleased that we were able to share this success with our shareholders through a special dividend that was paid in the quarter.”

“We ended 2011 in a position of financial and operational strength,” said Michael. “Our successful acquisition and integration of CBIC, coupled with new product initiatives pursued over the past few years, contributed greatly to our premium growth. Moving forward, we will continue to maintain our underwriting discipline, make strategic investments in our business, and focus on delivering high quality products and services to our customers.”

“Our company’s outstanding performance is the result of the hard work and dedication of our remarkable associates. They have been instrumental in our ability to thrive within the current market conditions and competitive environment, while positioning us to grow and succeed in the years ahead. I thank all of our employees for their many contributions in 2011,” said Michael.

16^th consecutive year of underwriting income

For the quarter, RLI recorded underwriting income of $26.8 million on an 81.5 combined ratio versus underwriting income of $30.2 million on a 76.3 combined ratio in the fourth quarter of 2010. For the year, RLI achieved $116.3 million of underwriting income on a 78.4 combined ratio, compared to $95.4 million of underwriting income on an 80.7 combined ratio in 2010.

The following table highlights annual underwriting income and combined ratios by segment:

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Other income

For the quarter, investment income was $16.2 million compared to $16.7 million for the same period in 2010. For the year ending December 31, 2011, investment income was $63.7 million versus $66.8 million for the same period in 2010. The decline in investment income was the result of lower reinvestment rates.

The investment portfolio’s total return for the quarter was 3.4%, with the bond portfolio returning 1.5% and the equity portfolio returning 12.1%. In 2011, the investment portfolio’s total return was 7.3% with the bond portfolio returning 7.1% and equities returning 7.1%.

Comprehensive earnings, which include after-tax unrealized gains/losses from the investment portfolio, were $58.3 million for the quarter ($2.72 per share) versus $30.8 million ($1.46 per share) over the same period last year. Full-year comprehensive earnings were $151.9 million ($7.09 per share) in 2011, compared to $146.0 million ($6.87 per share) in 2010.

During the quarter, equity in results of unconsolidated investee was a $0.7 million loss compared to a $0.2 million loss from the same period last year, both of which reflect seasonal results. For the year ending December 31, 2011, equity in earnings of unconsolidated investee was $6.5 million versus $7.1 million in 2010. These results are related to Maui Jim, Inc., a producer of premium sunglasses.

CBIC acquisition

On April 28, 2011, RLI closed on the acquisition of Contractors Bondingand Insurance Company for approximately $136 million in cash. CBIC is a Seattle-based insurance company specializing in surety bonds and related niche property and casualty products.

Special dividend and share repurchase program

On December 20, 2011, RLI paid an extraordinary cash dividend of $5.00 per share which totaled $105.8 million. RLI has paid dividends for 142 consecutive quarters and increased regular dividends in each of the last 36 years. The company’s regular quarterly dividend has grown by an average of 14.4% over the last 10 years.

For the year, RLI repurchased 111,956 shares at an average cost of $59.16 per share ($6.6 million). No shares were purchased in the fourth quarter. There is $87.5 million of remaining capacity from the additional $100 million stock repurchase program approved in the second quarter of 2010. Over the past six years, RLI has returned over $700 million dollars to its shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases.

Recently adopted accounting standard

As previously disclosed in RLI Corp’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report as of and for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, accounting guidance for deferred acquisition costs incurred by insurance entities will change in 2012 under ASU 2010-26, Financial Services – Insurance (Topic 944) Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts.

We have completed our estimate of the impact of adopting this new accounting standard effective January 1, 2012. The new guidance will have no impact on our cash flows, and will have minimal prospective impact on expenses or earnings before income taxes. Our adoption of the new standard, however, will result in a reduction of our deferred policy acquisition costs asset, an adjustment to deferred income taxes liability and a decrease to our consolidated shareholders’ equity. We plan to adopt the new standard using the retrospective adoption method as of January 1, 2012 and estimate that the adjustment to our consolidated shareholders’ equity will be a decrease of approximately $26 million, net of tax. This adjustment will result in a reduction in book value of approximately $1.24 per share, based on the number of shares outstanding at January 1, 2012.

Other news

At 10 a.m. central time (CT) tomorrow, January 26, 2012, RLI management will hold a conference call to discuss quarterly results with insurance industry analysts. Interested parties may listen to the discussion through the Internet at www.rlicorp.com.

Gross premiums written, underwriting income, operating earnings, earnings per share (EPS) from operations and other per share items are non-GAAP financial measures, and we believe that investors’ understanding of RLI’s core operating performance is enhanced by our disclosure of these financial measures. Gross premiums written is the component of net premiums earned that measures insurance business produced before the impact of ceding reinsurance premiums, but without respect to when those premiums will be recognized as actual revenue. Underwriting income or profit represents the pretax profitability of our insurance operations and is derived by subtracting losses and settlement expenses, policy acquisition costs, and insurance operating expenses from net premium earned. Operating earnings and EPS from operations consist of our net earnings adjusted by net realized investment gains/(losses) and taxes related to net realized gains/(losses). Our definitions of these items may not be comparable to the definitions used by other companies. Net earnings and net earnings per share are the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to operating earnings and EPS from operations. All earnings per share data are calculated using fully diluted shares. Combined ratio refers to a GAAP combined ratio.

Except for historical information, this news release may include forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) including, without limitation, statements reflecting our current expectations about the future performance of our company or our business segments or about future market conditions. These statements are subject to certain risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. Various risk factors that could affect future results are listed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; including the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2010.

RLI, a specialty insurance company, offers a diversified portfolio of property and casualty coverages and surety bonds serving niche or underserved markets. RLI operates in all 50 states from office locations across the country. RLI’s insurance subsidiaries – RLI Insurance Company, Mt. Hawley Insurance Company and RLI Indemnity Company – are rated A+ “Superior” by A.M. Best Company and A+ “Strong” by Standard & Poor’s. RLI’s newest subsidiary, Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company, is rated A “Excellent” by A.M. Best Company.

For additional information, contact Aaron Jacoby, Vice President, Corporate Development at 309-693-5880 or at [email protected] or visit our website at www.rlicorp.com.

Supplemental disclosure regarding the earnings impact of specific items:

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RLI Corp.Aaron Jacoby, (309) 693-5880
[email protected]
www.rlicorp.com

Source: RLI Corp.