Argo Group Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results

Well-Positioned for Continued Profitable Growth

• Reduced Volatility: Total catastrophe losses were $2.5 million in the second quarter 2022; reflecting our strategy to reduce catastrophe exposure despite continued industry catastrophe losses this quarter.
  
   
• Achieved Further Strategic Growth: While net earned premiums decreased 3.4% from the prior year second quarter due to exited businesses, net earned premiums from ongoing business¹ grew approximately 12.0%, primarily attributable to business lines where we retain more of the risk on a net basis.
  
   
• Delivered Expense Reductions: Expense ratio of 35.4% for the second quarter 2022 improved 2.3 percentage points from a year ago, driven by reduced general and administrative expenses.
  
   
• U.S. Operations Loss Portfolio Transfer (“LPT”): Agreement on LPT transaction covering a majority of Argo’s U.S. casualty insurance reserves, including construction, for accident years 2011 to 2019.

HAMILTON, Bermuda--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: ARGO) ("Argo" or the "company") today announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022.

($ in millions, except per share data)		Three Months Ended June 30,								Q/Q			Six Months Ended June 30,								Y/Y
		2022				2021				Change			2022				2021				Change
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$	(18.9	)		$	67.1			NM			$	(22.5	)		$	94.3			NM
Per diluted common share		$	(0.54	)		$	1.92			NM			$	(0.64	)		$	2.70			NM
Operating earnings		$	31.0			$	56.1			-44.7	%		$	74.4			$	71.6			3.9	%
Per diluted common share		$	0.89			$	1.60			-44.4	%		$	2.13			$	2.05			3.9	%
Annualized return on average common shareholders' equity			(5.4	)%			15.6	%		-21.0 pts				(3.1	)%			10.9	%		-14.0 pts
Annualized operating return on average common shareholders' equity			8.9	%			13.1	%		-4.2 pts				10.2	%			8.3	%		1.9 pts

"The company’s second quarter results reflect our focused approach to profitable growth as we successfully target the most attractive business lines,” said Argo Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas A. Bradley. “We are pleased with the success in executing on our strategic priorities, particularly, managing expenses and reducing volatility. Ongoing cost reduction efforts significantly lowered the expense ratio from the prior year second quarter and our commitment to reducing volatility in the underwriting results has driven improvement in year-over-year catastrophe losses for five consecutive quarters."

"Through six months, operating earnings increased four percent from a year ago, primarily due to significantly higher underwriting income. We are also encouraged by increasing interest income from our fixed income portfolio. The meaningful increase in underwriting income more than offset the lower contribution from alternative investment income. Looking ahead, we believe the company continues to be well-positioned to deliver profitable growth."

Consolidated Highlights

Second Quarter 2022 Results - Consolidated

(All comparisons vs. second quarter 2021, unless noted otherwise)

Premiums

Gross written premiums of $732.1 million decreased 10.2%, or $83.2 million, primarily due to the businesses the company has exited.

• Gross written premiums grew approximately 3.5% within the company’s ongoing business, while earned premiums from ongoing business increased approximately 12.0%.

The retention ratio, calculated as net written premiums divided by gross written premiums, increased 3.6 percentage points to 64.1%. The increase in the retention ratio primarily reflects business mix shifts towards ongoing business lines where we retain more of the risk on a net basis.

Underwriting

The combined ratio of 96.2% increased 0.8 percentage points, driven by a higher loss ratio, partially offset by an improved expense ratio.

The loss ratio of 60.8% increased 3.1 percentage points, compared to 57.7% for the prior year second quarter.

• The current accident year, excluding catastrophes ("CAY ex-CAT") loss ratio of 56.6% increased 1.0 percentage point.

• Total catastrophe losses were $2.5 million or 0.6 percentage points on the loss ratio. In comparison, catastrophe losses in the prior year second quarter were $11.1 million or 2.4 percentage points on the loss ratio.

• Net adverse prior year reserve development was $16.3 million, or 3.6 percentage points on the loss ratio. The prior year second quarter had net favorable prior year reserve development of $1.2 million, which lowered the loss ratio by 0.3 percentage points.

The CAY ex-CAT combined ratio of 92.0% improved 1.3 percentage points from 93.3%.

Expenses

The expense ratio of 35.4% improved 2.3 percentage points. This reduction was primarily driven by an improvement of 2.0 percentage points in the general and administrative ratio.

• The lower general and administrative ratio reflects continued execution of our expense reduction initiatives, primarily driven by a $12.4 million decrease in general and administrative expenses.

Investment Income

Net investment income of $29.3 million decreased by $23.4 million. While investment income from the fixed income portfolio increased $2.4 million driven by higher reinvestment rates, the reduction in investment income was attributable to $25.8 million in lower alternative investment income in the second quarter 2022, compared to strong alternative investment income results in the prior year second quarter.

Earnings

Net loss attributable to common shareholders was $18.9 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for the second quarter 2022, compared to net income attributable to common shareholders of $67.1 million, or $1.92 per diluted share for the second quarter 2021. Annualized return on average common shareholders' equity was (5.4%), compared to 15.6% in the prior year second quarter.

• The net loss attributable to common shareholders in the second quarter 2022 included pre-tax net realized investment and other losses of $40.4 million, of which $21.3 million was attributable to a loss on the sale of the company's Malta operations, ArgoGlobal Holdings. In comparison, net income attributable to common shareholders in the prior year second quarter included $24.7 million of pre-tax net realized investment and other gains.

• The net loss attributable to common shareholders in the second quarter 2022 also included $15.6 million of non-operating expenses, which were mainly attributable to non-operating advisory fees and severance expenses. In comparison, the prior year second quarter reported $10.8 million in non-operating expenses.

• The effective tax rate, calculated as the income tax provision divided by income before income taxes, was (295.1%), compared to 11.3% in the prior year second quarter. The effective tax rate in the second quarter 2022 was impacted by the sale of the company's Malta operations, in which the realized loss on the sale of the business was not subject to corporate tax.

Operating income was $31.0 million or $0.89 per diluted share, compared to $56.1 million or $1.60 per diluted share. Annualized operating return on average common shareholders' equity was 8.9%, compared to 13.1% in the prior year second quarter.

Shareholders' Equity

Book value per common share was $37.65 as of June 30, 2022, compared to $41.97 on March 31, 2022. The decrease in book value per common share is largely attributable to the movement in AOCI in the quarter.

• Accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") was ($256.0) million as of June 30, 2022, compared to ($134.9) million on March 31, 2022. The change in AOCI was driven by the movement in unrealized investment losses in the second quarter of $121.1 million, or $3.46 per common share.

Book value per common share, excluding AOCI, was $44.97 as of June 30, 2022, a decrease of 1.9% from $45.84 at March 31, 2022.

U.S. Operations Highlights

Second Quarter 2022 Results - U.S. Operations

(All comparisons vs. second quarter 2021, unless noted otherwise)

Premiums

U.S. Operations gross written premiums of $501.1 million decreased 2.3%, or $11.9 million, primarily due to the businesses the company has exited.

• Rates on average were up in the mid-single digits in the second quarter 2022.

• Gross written premiums grew approximately 5.1% within the U.S. ongoing business², while earned premiums in the U.S. ongoing business increased approximately 14.5%.

The retention ratio, calculated as net written premiums divided by gross written premiums, increased 4.4 percentage points to 66.2%. The higher retention ratio primarily reflects business mix shifts towards ongoing business lines where we retain more of the risk on a net basis.

Underwriting

The loss ratio of 60.8% increased 2.5 percentage points, compared to the prior year second quarter.

• The CAY ex-CAT loss ratio of 58.5% was marginally higher, compared to the second quarter 2021. This variance was primarily driven by the prior year second quarter benefiting from reduced loss frequency associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The CAY ex-CAT loss ratio in the second quarter 2022 is in line with the CAY ex-CAT loss ratio for the first quarter 2022 and full year 2021.

• Catastrophe losses were $1.0 million, or 0.3 percentage points on the loss ratio, compared to $2.0 million or 0.6 percentage points on the loss ratio in the prior year second quarter.

• Net adverse prior year reserve development was $6.7 million or 2.0 percentage points on the loss ratio. In comparison, the prior year second quarter had $0.5 million of favorable development, which lowered the loss ratio by 0.2 percentage points. The adverse development in the second quarter 2022 was primarily attributable to losses from businesses we have exited.

Expenses

The expense ratio was 30.7%, an improvement of 3.0 percentage points. This reduction was driven by improvements in both the general and administrative expense ratio and acquisition expense ratio.

• The 2.4 percentage point reduction in the general and administrative expense ratio was driven by a $5.0 million decrease in general and administrative expenses combined with increased net earned premiums in the second quarter 2022.

Strategic Actions

The company entered into a LPT agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Enstar Group Limited (“Enstar”) covering a majority of the company’s U.S. casualty insurance reserves, including construction, for accident years 2011 to 2019. 

• Enstar’s subsidiary will provide ground up cover of $746 million of reserves, and an additional $275 million of cover in excess of $821 million, up to a policy limit of $1,096 million.
  
   
• The company will retain a loss corridor of $75 million up to $821 million.
  
   
• We anticipate recognizing an after-tax charge of approximately $100 million in connection with the transaction in the third quarter of 2022.
  
   
• The closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
  
   
• An estimate of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

International Operations Highlights

Second Quarter 2022 Results - International Operations

(All comparisons vs. second quarter 2021, unless noted otherwise)

Premiums

Gross written premiums of $230.8 decreased 23.6%, or $71.3 million, primarily due to the businesses the company has exited.

• Rates on average were up in the high-single digits in the second quarter 2022.

• While gross written premiums in the International ongoing business³ were broadly in line with the prior year second quarter, earned premiums in the International ongoing business increased approximately 5.3% primarily due to higher premium retention in Syndicate 1200.

Underwriting

The loss ratio of 59.4% increased 3.7 percentage points, compared to 55.7% in the prior year second quarter.

• The CAY ex-CAT loss ratio was 51.4% and generally in line with the second quarter 2021.

• Catastrophe losses were $1.5 million, or 1.2 percentage points on the loss ratio, compared to $9.1 million, or 5.9 percentage points on the loss ratio in the prior year second quarter. Catastrophe losses in the second quarter 2021 included $4.6 million of losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic

• Net adverse prior year reserve development was $8.2 million or 6.8 percentage points on the loss ratio. In comparison, the prior year second quarter had $1.9 million of favorable development, which lowered the loss ratio by 1.2 percentage points. The adverse development in the second quarter 2022 was attributable to our Bermuda operation where a reassessment of potential losses associated with large claims in the professional lines business was partially offset by favorable development in Syndicate 1200.

Expenses

The expense ratio was 44.1%, an increase of 4.7 percentage points. While total expenses decreased by $8.0 million in the second quarter, the increase in the expense ratio is attributable to the reduction in net earned premiums.

CONFERENCE CALL

Argo management will conduct an investor conference call starting at 10 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. Participants in the U.S. can access the call by dialing (844) 200-6205 (access code 995303). Callers dialing from outside the U.S. can access the call by dialing (929) 526-1599 (access code 995303). 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/108878366.

A webcast replay will be available shortly after the live conference call and can be accessed at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/108878366. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available through August 16, 2022, to callers in the U.S. by dialing (866) 813-9403 (access code 004931) and to callers outside the U.S. by dialing +44-204-525-0658 (access code 004931).

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," "looking forward," “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.

(financial tables follow)