Argo Group Reports First Quarter 2022 Results

Further Progression of Strategic Plan Driving Improvement in Results 

• Continued Strategic Growth: Net earned premium increased 3.1% in the first quarter 2022; strong net earned premium growth in our ongoing business¹ of approximately 20.8%

• Disciplined Expense Focus: Expense ratio of 36.0% for the first quarter 2022 improved 1.8 percentage points from the first quarter 2021, driven by reduced General and Administrative expenses

• Improved Underwriting Performance: Combined ratio of 95.0% for the first quarter 2022 improved 8.8 percentage points from the first quarter 2021, driven by improvement in both the loss and expense ratio

• Reduced Catastrophe Losses: Total catastrophe losses of $8.7 million for the first quarter 2022 decreased $38.8 million from the first quarter 2021

• Syndicate 1200 Loss Portfolio Transfer ("LPT"): Agreement on LPT transaction for Syndicate 1200's reserves for the 2018 and 2019 Years of Account

HAMILTON, Bermuda--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: ARGO) ("Argo" or the "Company") today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Argo reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $3.6 million or $0.11 per diluted common share, for the first quarter 2022, compared to net income attributable to common shareholders of $27.2 million or $0.78 per diluted common share for the first quarter 2021. Annualized return on average common shareholders' equity was (0.9%) in the first quarter 2022, compared to 6.4% in the prior year first quarter. Operating income in the first quarter 2022 was $43.4 million or $1.24 per diluted common share, compared to $15.5 million or $0.44 per diluted common share for the first quarter 2021. Annualized operating return on average common shareholders' equity was 11.4% in the first quarter 2022, compared to 3.7% in the prior year first quarter.

"We continue to execute on our strategic priorities of improving underwriting margins, reducing volatility and managing expenses,” said Argo Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer Thomas A. Bradley. “The success of these efforts is reflected in the results and provides a strong start to the year.

“We are pleased to report operating income of $43.4 million, and an operating return on equity of 11.4% for the first quarter 2022. The loss ratio was solid at 59%, our catastrophe losses were significantly lower than a year ago, and the expense ratio of 36% improved nearly two percentage points from the prior year first quarter.

“Looking forward, we are pleased with the opportunities for growth across our ongoing businesses and remain confident in achieving our 2022 financial objectives."

First Quarter Consolidated Operating Highlights

• Gross written premium in the first quarter 2022 of $720.6 million decreased 4.7% from $756.5 million in first quarter 2021. The decrease in gross written premiums in the first quarter 2022 when compared to the first quarter 2021 is attributable to the businesses the Company is exiting, planning to exit or has exited. Within the Company's ongoing business, gross written premium grew approximately 6.9% during the first quarter 2022 compared to the first quarter 2021.

• The retention ratio, calculated as net written premium divided by gross written premium, increased 5.4 percentage points to 61.1% in the first quarter 2022 compared to the first quarter 2021. The increase in the retention ratio primarily reflects business mix shifts toward higher premium retention lines.

• The combined ratio was 95.0% during the first quarter 2022, compared to 103.8% in the first quarter 2021. This improvement of 8.8 percentage points was driven by reduced catastrophe ("CAT") losses and a lower expense ratio.

• Total catastrophe losses in the first quarter 2022 were $8.7 million or 1.8 percentage points on the loss ratio. In comparison, catastrophe losses in the prior year first quarter were $47.5 million or 10.2 percentage points on the loss ratio.

• Net adverse prior year reserve development for the first quarter 2022 was $3.4 million, or 0.7 percentage points on the loss ratio. In the prior year first quarter, net adverse prior year reserve development was $1.0 million.

• The current accident year ("CAY") ex-CAT loss ratio was 56.5% in the first quarter 2022, compared to 55.6% in the prior year first quarter.

• The expense ratio in the first quarter 2022 was 36.0%, an improvement of 1.8 percentage points from the first quarter 2021. This reduction was driven by an improvement of 2.0 percentage points in the general and administrative ratio, partially offset by a slight increase in the acquisition expense ratio of 0.2 percentage points compared to the first quarter 2021. The improvement in the general and administrative ratio reflects continued execution of our expense reduction initiatives, primarily driven by a $6.9 million decrease in general and administrative expenses in addition to growth in net earned premium in the first quarter 2022 compared to the first quarter 2021.

• The CAY ex-CAT combined ratio was 92.5% in the first quarter 2022, compared to 93.4% in the prior year first quarter.

• Net investment income of $37.7 million in the first quarter 2022 decreased $6.7 million compared to the prior year first quarter. This reduction was driven by a $7.1 million decrease in investment income from alternative investments in the first quarter 2022 when compared to the first quarter 2021.

• Pre-tax net realized investment and other losses were $34.5 million in the first quarter 2022, compared to $13.1 million of pre-tax net realized investment gains in the prior year first quarter. The increase in net realized investment and other losses is primarily attributable to Argo Seguros Brasil, where previously unrealized foreign exchange losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") were realized in the quarter due to the sale of the business in February 2022.

• The first quarter 2022 included $7.4 million of non-operating expenses, which were mainly attributable to non-operating advisory fees.

• The effective tax rate, calculated as the income tax provision divided by income before income taxes, for the first quarter 2022 was 109.7%, compared to 4.3% in the first quarter 2021. The increase in the effective tax rate for the current quarter results primarily from the tax treatment of foreign exchange losses associated with the sale of Argo Seguros Brasil.

• Net loss attributable to common shareholders was $3.6 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the first quarter 2022, compared to net income attributable to common shareholders of $27.2 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, for the first quarter 2021. Annualized return on average common shareholders' equity was (0.9%) in the first quarter 2022, compared to 6.4% in the prior year first quarter.

• Operating income was $43.4 million or $1.24 per diluted share in the first quarter 2022, compared to $15.5 million or $0.44 per diluted share in the prior year first quarter. Annualized operating return on average common shareholders' equity was 11.4% in the first quarter 2022, compared to 3.7% in the prior year first quarter.

U.S. Operations:

• U.S. Operations gross written premium decreased 2.9% in the first quarter 2022, compared to the first quarter 2021. Gross written premium in the U.S. ongoing business² grew approximately 5.1% during the first quarter 2022 compared to the prior year first quarter. Rates on average were up in the mid-single digits in the first quarter 2022.

• The loss ratio for the first quarter 2022 was 61.3%, down from 62.2% in the prior year first quarter. The improvement in the loss ratio was primarily driven by lower catastrophe losses, partially offset by an increase in the CAY ex-CAT loss ratio.

• Net unfavorable prior-year reserve development in the first quarter 2022 was $5.0 million or 1.5 percentage points on the loss ratio, compared to $0.4 million of favorable development in the prior year first quarter. The adverse development in the first quarter 2022 is primarily attributable to incurred development on a small number of claims in businesses that we have exited.

• Catastrophe losses were $4.0 million, or 1.2 percentage points on the loss ratio, in the first quarter 2022, compared to $20.9 million or 6.6 percentage points on the loss ratio in the prior year first quarter.

• The CAY ex-CAT loss ratio was 58.6% in the first quarter 2022, compared to 55.7% in the prior year first quarter. The change in the CAY ex-CAT loss ratio is primarily driven by frequency benefits associated with the COVID-19 pandemic included in the first quarter 2021. The CAY ex-CAT loss ratio for the first quarter 2022 is in line with the CAY ex-CAT loss ratio for the full year 2021.

• The expense ratio in the first quarter 2022 was 32.0%, an improvement of 2.2 percentage points from the first quarter 2021. This reduction was driven by an improvement of 3.3 percentage points in the general and administrative expense ratio, partially offset by an increase of 1.1 percentage points in the acquisition expense ratio. The improvement in the general and administrative expense ratio was driven by a $7.0 million decrease in general and administrative expenses combined with a 7.0% increase in net earned premium in the first quarter 2022.

International Operations:

• International Operations gross written premium decreased 8.1% in the first quarter 2022 compared to the first quarter 2021. Gross written premium in the International ongoing business³ increased approximately 11.0% in the first quarter 2022 compared to the prior year first quarter. Rates on average were up in the low-double digits in the first quarter 2022.

• The loss ratio for the first quarter 2022 was 52.7%, an improvement of 20.3 percentage points compared to the prior year first quarter. This reduction is primarily the result of lower catastrophe losses compared to the first quarter 2021.

• Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter 2022 was $3.0 million or 2.1 percentage points on the loss ratio compared to $0.0 million of prior year reserve development in the first quarter 2021.

• Argo's managing agent has approved entering into a LPT relating to the 2018 and 2019 Years of Account for Syndicate 1200.

• Catastrophe losses were $4.7 million, or 3.3 percentage points on the loss ratio in the first quarter 2022. The first quarter 2021 included $26.6 million of catastrophe losses or 17.6 percentage points on the loss ratio. The first quarter 2021 was impacted by catastrophe losses from winter storm Uri and included $4.4 million of losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The CAY ex-CAT loss ratio was 51.5% in the first quarter 2022 compared to 55.4% in the prior year first quarter. The reduction in the CAY ex-CAT loss ratio is due to a combination of underwriting actions and achieved rate increases earning through the results.

• The expense ratio in the first quarter 2022 was 38.1%, an improvement of 3.3 percentage points from the first quarter 2021. This reduction in the expense ratio is attributable to an improvement in both the acquisition and general and administrative expense ratio.

Balance Sheet:

• Book value per common share was $41.97 as of March 31, 2022, compared to $45.62 on December 31, 2021. The decrease in book value per common share is largely attributable to the movement in AOCI in the quarter.

• Accumulated other comprehensive income was ($134.9) million as of March 31, 2022, compared to ($22.7) million on December 31, 2021. The change in AOCI was driven by the movement in unrealized investment losses in the quarter, which were $143.6 million, or $4.11 per common share.

• Book value per common share, excluding AOCI, was $45.84 as of March 31, 2022, a decrease of 0.9% from $46.27 at December 31, 2021.

   

CONFERENCE CALL

Argo management will conduct an investor conference call starting at 10 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Participants in the U.S. can access the call by dialing (844) 200-6205 (access code 525096). Callers dialing from outside the U.S. can access the call by dialing (929) 526-1599 (access code 525096). Please ask the operator for the Argo earnings call. A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/495152082.

A webcast replay will be available shortly after the live conference call and can be accessed at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/495152082. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available through May 10, 2022, to callers in the U.S. by dialing (866) 813-9403 (access code 937085) and to callers outside the U.S. by dialing +44-204-525-0658 (access code 937085).

ABOUT ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: ARGO) is an underwriter of specialty insurance products in the property and casualty market. Argo offers a full line of products and services designed to meet the unique coverage and claims-handling needs of businesses in two primary segments: U.S. Operations and International Operations. Argo and its insurance subsidiaries are rated ‛A-’ by Standard and Poor’s. Argo’s insurance subsidiaries are rated ‛A-’ by A.M. Best. More information on Argo and its subsidiaries is available at www.argogroup.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release and related oral statements may include forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and can be identified by the use of words such as "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," “do not believe,” “aim,” "project," "anticipate," “seek,” "will," “likely,” “assume,” “estimate,” "may," “continue,” “guidance,” “growth,” “objective,” “remain optimistic,” “improve,” “progress,” "path toward," “outlook,” “trends,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “target,” “on track” and similar expressions of a future or forward-looking nature.

Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to not occur or differ materially. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and uncertainties, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in Argo’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The inclusion of a forward-looking statement herein should not be regarded as a representation by Argo that its objectives will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Argo undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on any such statements.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In presenting the Company's results, management has included and discussed in this press release certain non-generally accepted accounting principles ("non-GAAP") financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G as promulgated by the SEC. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, which may be defined differently by other companies, better explain the Company's results of operations in a manner that allows for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends in the Company's business. However, these measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP").

“CAY ex-CAT combined ratio” and the “CAY ex-CAT loss ratio" are internal measures used by the management of the Company to evaluate the performance of its underwriting activity and represents the net amount of underwriting income excluding catastrophe related charges and the impact of changes to prior year loss reserves. Although this measure does not replace the GAAP combined ratio, it provides management with a view of the quality of earnings generated by underwriting activity for the current accident year.

“Operating income (loss)" is an internal performance measure used in the management of the Company's operations and represents operating results after-tax (at an assumed effective tax rate of 19%) and preferred share dividends excluding, as applicable, net realized investment and other gains or losses, net foreign exchange gain or loss, non- operating expenses, and other similar non-recurring items. The Company excludes net realized investment and other gains or losses, net foreign exchange gain or loss, non-operating expenses, and other similar non-recurring items from the calculation of operating income because these amounts are influenced by and fluctuate in part, by market conditions that are outside of management’s control. In addition to presenting net income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company believes that showing operating income enables investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of the Company's financial information to more easily analyze our results of operations and underlying business performance.

"Annualized operating return on average common shareholders' equity" is calculated using operating income (loss) (as defined above and annualized in the manner described for net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders ("ROACE")) and average common shareholders' equity. In calculating ROACE, the net income attributable to common shareholders for the period is multiplied by the number of periods in a calendar year to arrive at annualized net income available to common shareholders. In addition to presenting ROACE determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company believes that showing annualized operating return on average common shareholders' equity enables investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of the Company's financial information to more easily analyze our results of operations and underlying business performance.

"Operating income (loss) per common share (diluted)" is calculated using operating income (as defined above) and the weighted average common shares (diluted) for the current period. In addition to presenting net income (loss) per common share (diluted) in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company believes that showing the operating income (loss) per common share (diluted) enables investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of the Company's financial information to more easily analyze our results of operations and underlying business performance.

“Underwriting income (loss)” is an internal performance measure used in the management of the Company’s operations and represents net amount earned from underwriting activities (net premium earned less underwriting expenses and claims incurred). Underwriting income is a financial measure that is commonly recognized as a standard of performance by investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of its financial information. Although this measure of profit (loss) does not replace net income (loss) computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP as a measure of profitability, management uses this measure of profit (loss) to focus our reporting segments on generating underwriting income.

"Book value per common share excluding AOCI" is total common shareholders’ equity excluding AOCI, net of tax, included in shareholders’ equity, divided by the number of common shares outstanding. In the opinion of the Company’s management, book value per common share excluding AOCI is useful in an analysis of a property casualty company’s book value per share as it removes the effect of changing prices on invested assets (i.e., net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax), which do not have an equivalent impact on unpaid claims and claim adjustment expense reserves.

"Tangible book value per common share" is book value per share excluding the after-tax value of goodwill and other intangible assets divided by the number of common shares outstanding. In the opinion of the Company’s management, tangible book value per common share is useful in an analysis of a property casualty company’s book value on a nominal basis as it removes certain effects of purchase accounting (i.e., goodwill and other intangible assets).

"Tangible book value per common share excluding AOCI" is book value per share excluding the after-tax value of goodwill and other intangible assets and AOCI, net of tax. In the opinion of the Company's management, tangible book value per common share excluding AOCI is useful in an analysis of a property casualty company's book value per share as it removes certain aspects of purchase accounting (i.e., goodwill and other intangible assets) and the effect of changing prices on invested assets (i.e., net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax).

The “percentage change in book value per common share” includes (by adding) the effects of cash dividends paid per common share to the calculated book value per common share for the current period. This adjusted amount is then compared to the prior period’s book value per common share to determine the period over period change. The Company believes that including the dividends paid per common share allows users of its financial statements to more easily identify the impact of the changes in book value per common share from the perspective of investors.

Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures are included in the following tables and footnotes.

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Andrew Hersom
Head of Investor Relations

860.970.5845

[email protected]

David Snowden
Senior Vice President, Communications

210.321.2104

[email protected]

Gregory Charpentier
AVP, Investor Relations and Corporate Finance

978.387.4150

[email protected]

Source: Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd.