OLD REPUBLIC REPORTS RESULTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER AND FIRST NINE MONTHS 2023

CHICAGO, Oct. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

OVERALL RESULTS
		Quarters Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2023		2022		% Change		2023		2022		% Change
Pretax income (loss)		$     63.9		$ (119.6)				$   510.0		$   208.3
Pretax investment losses		(186.9)		(377.1)				(191.1)		(549.5)
Pretax income (loss) excluding investment losses		$   250.8		$   257.5		(2.6) %		$   701.2		$   757.9		(7.5) %
Net income (loss)		$     52.6		$   (91.7)				$   408.0		$   174.3
Net of tax investment losses		(147.6)		(297.9)				(151.0)		(433.8)
Net income (loss) excluding investment losses		$   200.2		$   206.1		(2.9) %		$   559.0		$   608.1		(8.1) %
Combined ratio		91.9 %		91.4 %				92.4 %		91.4 %
PER DILUTED SHARE
		Quarters Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2023		2022		% Change		2023		2022		% Change
Net income (loss)		$     0.19		$   (0.31)				$     1.42		$     0.57
Net of tax investment losses		(0.53)		(0.99)				(0.53)		(1.42)
Net income (loss) excluding investment losses		$     0.72		$     0.68		5.9 %		$     1.95		$     1.99		(2.0) %
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (BOOK VALUE)
								Sep. 30,		Dec. 31,
								2023		2022		% Change
Total								$  5,915.6		$  6,173.2		(4.2) %
Per Common Share								$   21.37		$   21.07		1.4 %

________

^{All amounts in this report are stated in millions except where noted, common stock data and percentages.}

Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE: ORI) today reported pretax income, excluding investment losses, of $250.8 for the quarter and $701.2 for the first nine months of 2023. Title Insurance results declined in both periods, affected by higher mortgage interest rates. General Insurance pretax operating income rose 28.6% for the quarter and 32.3% for the first nine months, driven by solid underwriting income and higher net investment income. The consolidated combined ratio was 91.9% for the quarter and 92.4% for the first nine months.

Consolidated net premiums and fees earned were down 9.4% for the quarter and 15.1% for the first nine months. Title Insurance dropped as a result of lower revenues in both direct and agency operations, while General Insurance grew by 10.6% for the quarter and 7.3% for the first nine months. Net investment income increased significantly in the quarter and the first nine months, primarily due to higher investment yields earned on fixed income securities.  

During the quarter, the Company returned total capital to shareholders of approximately $192, comprised of $68 in dividends, and $124 of share repurchases (4.7 million shares at an average price of $26.31 per share). For the first nine months, this results in total capital returned of approximately $684, including $209 in dividends and nearly $475 of share repurchases (18.8 million shares at an average price of $25.44 per share). Following the close of the quarter, the Company repurchased $52 of additional shares (1.9 million shares at an average price of $27.12 per share), leaving approximately $90 remaining under the most recent authorization approved by the Company's Board of Directors in May 2023.

Book value per share grew from $21.07 at year-end 2022 to $21.37 as of September 30, 2023, primarily reflecting the addition of operating earnings less unrealized investment losses and shareholder dividends. With the addition of dividends declared during the first nine months, book value per share increased 4.9% (6.6% annualized) over year-end 2022.

Old Republic's business is managed for the long run. In this context management's key objectives are to achieve highly profitable operating results over the long term, and to ensure balance sheet strength for the primary needs of the insurance subsidiaries' underwriting and related services business. In this view, the evaluation of periodic and long-term results excludes consideration of all investment gains (losses). Under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), however, net income, inclusive of investment gains (losses), is the measure of total profitability.

In management's opinion, the focus on income excluding investment gains (losses), also described herein as segment pretax operating income, provides a better way  to analyze, evaluate, and establish accountability for the results of the insurance operations. The inclusion of realized investment gains (losses) in net income can mask trends in operating results, because such realizations are often highly discretionary.  Similarly, the inclusion of unrealized investment gains (losses) in equity securities can further distort such operating results with significant period-to-period fluctuations. 

We believe the information presented in the following table highlights the most meaningful indicators of ORI's segmented and consolidated financial performance. The information underscores the performance of our underwriting subsidiaries, as well as our sound investment of their capital and underwriting cash flows.

General Insurance net premiums earned increased 10.6% and 7.3% for the quarter and first nine months of 2023, respectively, driven by a combination of premium rate increases, high renewal retention ratios, and new business production, including contributions from recently established underwriting subsidiaries. Premium growth was experienced across most lines of coverage and was most pronounced within commercial auto, property and general liability, partially offset by declines experienced in public D&O (included within financial indemnity), workers' compensation and home warranty products. Commercial auto and general liability achieved strong rate increases while rate declines were experienced within public D&O and workers' compensation coverages. Net investment income increased significantly in both 2023 periods, driven largely by higher investment yields earned, and to a lesser extent, a slightly higher invested asset base.

The reported loss ratio for General Insurance improved considerably in both periods. Favorable development of approximately 6% for both the quarter and first nine months came predominantly from the workers' compensation and commercial auto lines of coverage, partially offset by unfavorable development experienced within general liability. The trends in current period loss and expense ratios mostly reflect a shift in the line of coverage mix. Investments in new products and geographies in recent years have diversified the General Insurance business, resulting in shifts in the lines of coverage mix toward lines with lower current period loss ratios and higher expense ratios.

Together, these factors produced highly profitable combined ratios and greater pretax operating income for the periods reported. For General Insurance, we target combined ratios between 90% and 95% over a full underwriting cycle, recognizing that quarterly and annual ratios and trends may deviate from this range, particularly given the long claim payment patterns associated with the business.

The following table shows recent annual and interim periods' loss ratios and the effects of loss development trends:

Title Insurance net premiums and fees earned decreased by 29.3% and 36.0% for the quarter and first nine months of 2023, respectively. Both directly produced and agency produced revenues declined, driven by a continued drop in mortgage originations attributable to higher mortgage interest rates. Commercial premiums decreased commensurately, and represent 22% of premiums earned in the third quarter of 2023 versus 21% in 2022. Despite the downward trends experienced when compared to the prior year, third quarter Title Insurance pretax operating income increased compared to the first two quarters of 2023, primarily due to higher net premium and fees earned. Net investment income increased in both 2023 periods, reflecting higher investment yields earned partially offset by a lower invested asset base.

The Title Insurance loss ratio decreased slightly for the first nine months reflecting higher levels of favorable development as a percentage of premium. Both period's expense ratios were elevated compared to last year, generally reflecting lower directly produced revenues that carry higher fixed expenses. In addition, the first nine months 2023 expense ratio reflects the recovery of the $17.2 (0.9 percentage points) state sales tax assessment paid in the fourth quarter of last year.

Together, these factors produced a higher combined ratio and lower pretax operating income for the periods reported.

The following table shows recent annual and interim periods' loss ratios and the effects of loss development trends:

Given the volatility inherent with a lack of scale, RFIG Run-off is expected to produce highly variable results which have recently benefitted significantly from favorable loss reserve development. Pretax operating income reflects the continuing drop in net earned premiums offset by favorable loss reserve development from improved cure rates on reported defaults. Net investment income decreased due to a declining invested asset base partially offset by higher investment yields earned. Extraordinary dividends of $25.0 and $85.0 were paid to the parent company during the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, respectively.

The following table shows recent annual and interim periods' loss ratios and the effects of loss development trends:

This segment includes a small life and accident insurance business and the net costs associated with the parent holding company and several internal corporate services subsidiaries. The segment tends to produce highly variable results stemming from volatility inherent from the lack of scale. Investment income in both periods reflects a lower invested asset base, particularly for the quarter, attributable to the return of capital to shareholders, offset by higher investment yields earned. Corporate net operating expenses in both 2023 periods reflect a one-time charge of $10.7 relating to changes in the structure of a company benefit plan.

As of September 30, 2023, the consolidated investment portfolio reflected an allocation of approximately 83% to fixed income (bonds and notes) and short-term investments, and 17% to equity securities (common stock). Our investment management process remains focused on retaining quality investments that produce consistent streams of investment income, and we continue to evaluate the investment portfolio mix in light of the current interest rate environment. The fixed income portfolio continues to be the anchor for the insurance underwriting subsidiaries' obligations. The maturities of our fixed income assets are matched to the expected liabilities for claim payment obligations to policyholders and their beneficiaries. Our equity portfolio consists of high-quality common stocks of U.S. companies with long-term records of reasonable earnings growth and steadily increasing dividends.

Old Republic's investment portfolio is directed in consideration of enterprise-wide risk management objectives, intended to ensure solid funding of our underwriting subsidiaries' long-term claim payment obligations to policyholders and their beneficiaries, as well as the long-term stability of the subsidiaries' capital base. For these reasons, the investment portfolio does not contain high risk or illiquid asset classes and has zero or extremely limited exposure to, collateralized debt obligations (CDO's), credit default and interest rate swaps, hybrid securities, asset-backed securities (ABS), guaranteed investment contracts (GIC), structured investment vehicles (SIV), auction rate variable short-term securities, limited partnerships, derivatives, hedge funds or private equity investments. Moreover, the Company does not engage in hedging or securities lending transactions, nor does it invest in securities whose values are predicated on non-regulated financial instruments exhibiting amorphous or unfunded counter-party risk attributes. Pursuant to our enterprise risk management guidelines and controls, we perform regular stress tests of our investment portfolio to gain reasonable assurance that periodic downdrafts in market prices do not seriously undermine our financial strength and the long-term continuity and prospects of our underwriting subsidiaries.

Changes in shareholders' equity per share are reflected in the following table. As shown, these resulted mostly from net income excluding net investment gains (losses), realized and unrealized investment gains (losses), and dividend payments to shareholders.

The insurance business is distinguished from most others in that the prices (premiums) charged for most products are set without knowing what the ultimate loss costs will be. We also can't know exactly when claims will be paid, which may be many years after a policy was issued or expired. This casts Old Republic as a risk-taking enterprise managed for the long run. Old Republic therefore conducts the business with a primary focus on achieving favorable underwriting results over cycles, and on maintaining a sound financial condition to support our subsidiaries' long-term obligations to policyholders and their beneficiaries.

The Company is managed for the long run and with little regard for quarterly or even annual reporting periods. These time frames are too short. Management believes results are best evaluated by looking at underwriting and overall operating performance trends over 10-year intervals. These likely include one or two economic and/or underwriting cycles. This provides enough time for these cycles to run their course, for underwriting and premium rate changes to appear in financial results, and for reserved loss costs to be quantified with greater certainty.

Accompanying Financial Data and Other Information:

• About Old Republic
• Conference Call Information
• Safe Harbor Statement

Financial Supplement:

• A financial supplement to this news release is available on the Company's website: www.oldrepublic.com

About Old Republic

Chicago-based Old Republic International Corporation is one of the nation's 50 largest shareholder-owned insurance businesses. It is a member of the Fortune 500 listing of America's largest companies. The Company is organized as an insurance holding company whose subsidiaries actively market, underwrite, and provide risk management services for a wide variety of coverages mostly in the general and title insurance fields. Old Republic's general insurance business ranks among the nation's 50 largest, while its title insurance business is the third largest in its industry.

Conference Call Information

Old Republic has scheduled a conference call at 3:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. CT) today to discuss its third quarter 2023 performance and to review major operating trends and business developments. The call can be accessed live on Old Republic's website at www.oldrepublic.com or by dialing 1-888-510-2411, passcode 4060501. Interested parties may also listen to a replay of the call through November 2, 2023 by dialing 1-800-770-2030, passcode 4060501, or by accessing it on Old Republic International's website.

Safe Harbor Statement

Historical data pertaining to the operating results, liquidity, and other performance indicators applicable to an insurance enterprise such as Old Republic are not necessarily indicative of results to be achieved in succeeding years. In addition to the factors cited below, the long-term nature of the insurance business, seasonal and annual patterns in premium production and incidence of claims, changes in yields obtained on invested assets, changes in government policies and free markets affecting inflation rates and general economic conditions, and changes in legal precedents or the application of law affecting the settlement of disputed and other claims can have a bearing on period-to-period comparisons and future operating results.

Some of the oral or written statements made in the Company's reports, press releases, and conference calls following earnings releases, can constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any such forward-looking statements involve assumptions, uncertainties, and risks that may affect the Company's future performance. With regard to Old Republic's General Insurance segment, its results can be particularly affected by the level of market competition, which is typically a function of available capital and expected returns on such capital among competitors, the levels of investment yields and inflation rates, and periodic changes in claim frequency and severity patterns caused by natural disasters, weather conditions, accidents, illnesses, work-related injuries, and unanticipated external events. Title Insurance and RFIG Run-off results can be affected by similar factors, and by changes in national and regional housing demand and values, the availability and cost of mortgage loans, employment trends, and default rates on mortgage loans. Life and accident insurance earnings can be affected by the levels of employment and consumer spending, changes in mortality and health trends, and alterations in policy lapsation rates. At the parent holding company level, operating earnings or losses are generally reflective of the amount of debt outstanding and its cost, interest income on temporary holdings of short-term investments, and period-to-period variations in the costs of administering the Company's widespread operations.

General Insurance, Title Insurance, Corporate & Other, and RFIG Run-off maintain customer information and rely upon technology platforms to conduct their business. As a result, each of them and the Company are exposed to cyber risk. Many of the Company's operating subsidiaries maintain separate IT systems which are deemed to reduce enterprise-wide risks of potential cybersecurity incidents. However, given the potential magnitude of a significant breach, the Company continually evaluates on an enterprise-wide basis its IT hardware, security infrastructure and business practices to respond to these risks and to detect and remediate in a timely manner significant cybersecurity incidents or business process interruptions.

A more detailed listing and discussion of the risks and other factors which affect the Company's risk-taking insurance business are included in Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors, of the Company's 2022 Form 10-K Annual Report filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is specifically incorporated herein by reference.

Any forward-looking statements or commentaries speak only as of their dates. Old Republic undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any and all such comments, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, and accordingly they may not be unduly relied upon.

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SOURCE Old Republic International Corporation