United Fire Group, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results

Fourth Quarter Net Income of $0.79 per Diluted Share and Adjusted Operating Income of $0.18 per Diluted Share; Net Premiums Written increased 6.3%

Full Year Net Income of $0.59 per Diluted Share and Adjusted Operating Income of $1.09 per Diluted Share; Net Premiums Written increased 4.6%

Fourth quarter 2022 highlights:

• Net premiums written⁽¹⁾ increased 6.3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
• GAAP combined ratio of 103.6% including an underlying loss ratio⁽²⁾ of 60.0%, catastrophe loss ratio of 4.9%, and unfavorable prior period reserve development⁽²⁾ of 4.9%. Expense ratio was 33.8%.
• Net investment income of $12.9 million decreased 3.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 due to lower other long-term investment income.
• Book value per common share of $29.36 as of December 31, 2022, up 5.5% compared to September 30, 2022.

Full year 2022 highlights:

• Net premiums written of $984.2 million, an increase of 4.6% as compared to full year 2021.
• GAAP combined ratio of 101.4% driven by underlying loss ratio of 59.2% and catastrophe loss ratio of 7.7%. Expense ratio was 34.4% for the full year.
• Net investment income declined as compared to full year 2021 as increasing fixed income yields were offset by lower other long-term investment income.
• Return on Equity of 1.9%.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Fire Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFCS),

United Fire Group, Inc. (the “Company” or “UFG”) (Nasdaq: UFCS) today reported financial results for the three-month period ended December 31, 2022 (the “fourth quarter of 2022”) with a consolidated net income of $20.1 million ($0.79 per diluted share) and consolidated adjusted operating income of $0.18 per diluted share. The fourth quarter combined ratio of 103.6% was driven by catastrophe losses of 4.9% and unfavorable prior period reserve development of 4.9%. Net premiums written increased 6.3% for the quarter compared to the same quarter last year.

Net income for the full year 2022 was $15.0 million ($0.59 per diluted share) and consolidated adjusted operating income of $1.09 per diluted share. The full year combined ratio of 101.4% benefited from an underlying loss ratio of 59.2%. Net premiums written increased 4.6% from full year 2021.

“I am pleased with our progress in 2022 as we continue to position UFG for superior operational and financial performance,” said President and CEO Kevin Leidwinger, who took over leadership of the company in August 2022.

“In addition to three consecutive quarters of year-over-year written premium growth, we generated a strong underlying loss ratio of 59.2% for the full year – the lowest in the last 10 years. Catastrophe losses for the year of 7.7% were in line with historic averages and prior period reserve development was neutral.

“Looking ahead, our strategic plan remains centered on long-term profitability, diversified growth, attracting and retaining top talent, continuous innovation and expense management.

“We begin 2023 well-positioned to responsibly and profitably grow across our commercial, specialty, surety and assumed reinsurance businesses and are excited to welcome Julie Stephenson, our new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, to lead these efforts at UFG.”

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(1) Net premiums written is a performance measure reflecting the amount charged for insurance policy contracts issued and recognized on an annualized basis at the effective date of the policy. See Certain Performance Measures for additional information.
(2) Net underlying loss ratio is defined as the net loss ratio less impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development. See Certain Performance Measures for additional information.

Consolidated Financial Highlights:

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(1) Net underlying loss ratio is defined as the net loss ratio less impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development. See Certain Performance Measures for additional information.
(2) Underlying combined ratio is defined as the GAAP combined ratio less impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development. See Certain Performance Measures for additional information.
(3) Adjusted operating income (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure of net income excluding net investment gains and losses, after applicable taxes. See Non-GAAP Financial Measure for more information and a reconciliation of adjusted operating income (loss) to net income.
(4) Return on equity is calculated by dividing annualized net income by average year-to-date stockholders' equity.

Total Property & Casualty Underwriting Results

Fourth quarter 2022 results:

Net premiums written increased 6.3%, while net premiums earned increased 3.3% in the fourth quarter of 2022 reflecting growth in assumed reinsurance, specialty, and surety, and slowing declines in other commercial lines. Other commercial lines net premiums written decreased 3% in the fourth quarter of 2022, as compared to a 7% decrease for the year. The overall average change in renewal premiums was 8.3%, with 3.2% from exposure changes and 5.1% from rate increases. Excluding the workers' compensation line of business, the overall average change in renewal premiums was 9.4%, with 3.5% from exposure changes and 5.9% from rate increases. Premium retention increased 7 points in the fourth quarter of 2022 to 77% as compared to the same quarter last year.

The combined ratio was 103.6%, up from 83.1% in the fourth quarter of 2021. This increase was primarily driven by unfavorable prior period reserve development of 4.9% this quarter compared to favorable development of 9.9% in the fourth quarter of 2021. The unfavorable reserve development in the fourth quarter of 2022 was driven by the products liability line where a combination of deeper analytical insights and emerging claim experience has increased our view of potential construction defect exposure. Catastrophe loss ratio of 4.9% in the current quarter is an increase of 1.4 points compared to the same period last year, with Winter Storm Elliott the largest driver. The underwriting expense ratio declined slightly to 33.8% in the fourth quarter of 2022 as the impacts of our expense management efforts began to take effect.

Full year 2022 results:

Net premiums written increased 4.6%, reflecting growth in the same areas as noted above. Net premiums earned decreased 1.2% compared to the full year 2021. The overall average change in renewal premiums was 8.3%, with 3.1% from exposure changes and 5.2% from rate increases. Excluding the workers' compensation line of business, the overall average change in renewal premiums was 9.6%, with 3.1% from exposures changes and 6.7% from rate changes. On an annual basis, premium retention was 76%, compared to 72% last year.

For the full year, the combined ratio was 101.4% as compared to 100.3% in 2021. The underlying loss ratio declined by 5.2 points to 59.2% in 2022. During 2022, reserve development was neutral as compared to favorable development of 6.9% in 2021. Catastrophe losses contributed 7.7%, an improvement from 10.2% last year. The underwriting expense ratio of 34.4% for 2022 was 1.8 points higher than last year primarily driven by the non-recurring benefit in 2021 resulting from the change in design of our employee post-retirement benefit plans.

Investment Results

Fourth quarter 2022 results:

Net investment income was $12.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, a decrease of $0.5 million from the same period last year. Although higher yields in the fixed income portfolio contributed an additional $2.0 million, the $3.2 million decrease in the income of our investments in limited liability partnerships more than offset this. The earnings of limited liability partnership investments varies from period to period due to the current equity market conditions, specifically related to financial institutions. The yield on fixed income securities have risen from both the fourth quarter of 2021 and on a year-to-date basis driven by higher interest rates.

Full year 2022 results:

Net investment income of $44.9 million for the full year 2022 decreased 19.4% from the full year 2021. While interest on fixed maturities was up $5.5 million or 12.7%, driven by higher interest rates, this was offset by a decrease in the earnings of limited liability partnership investments, which were down $17.4 million from the prior year.

(1) Fixed income securities yield excluding net unrealized investment gains/losses and expenses

Balance Sheet

Total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2022 were $2.9 billion, which included $1.8 billion of invested assets. The Company's book value per share was $29.36, a decrease of $5.69 per share, or 16.2%, from December 31, 2021. This decrease is primarily attributable to the $138.1 million decrease in the after-tax net unrealized value of our fixed maturity securities. Book value per share has increased to $29.36 as of December 31, 2022 from $27.82 as of September 30, 2022.

Capital Management

During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company declared and paid a $0.16 per share cash dividend to shareholders of record as of December 2, 2022. We have paid a quarterly dividend every quarter since March 1968.

Earnings Call Access Information

An earnings call will be held at 9:00 a.m. Central Time on February 16, 2023 to allow securities analysts, shareholders and other interested parties the opportunity to hear management discuss the Company's fourth quarter of 2022 results.

Teleconference: Dial-in information for the call is toll-free 1-844-492-3723. The event will be archived and available for digital replay through February 23, 2023. The replay access information is toll-free 1-877-344-7529; conference ID no. 8764312.

Webcast: An audio webcast of the teleconference can be accessed at the Company's investor relations page at
http://ir.ufginsurance.com/event or https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=BqalXp04. The archived audio webcast will be available until February 23, 2023.

Transcript: A transcript of the teleconference will be available on the Company's website soon after the completion of the teleconference.

About UFG

Founded in 1946 as United Fire & Casualty Company, UFG, through its insurance company subsidiaries, is engaged in the business of writing property and casualty insurance.

Through our subsidiaries, we are licensed as a property and casualty insurer in 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, and we are represented by approximately 1,000 independent agencies. A.M. Best Company assigns a rating of "A" (Excellent) for members of the United Fire & Casualty Group.

For more information about UFG, visit www.ufginsurance.com or contact:

Investor Relations or [email protected].

Disclosure of Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements about our operations, anticipated performance and other similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expected and/or projected. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the Company, the industry in which we operate, and beliefs and assumptions made by management. Words such as “expect(s),” “anticipate(s),” “intend(s),” “plan(s),” “believe(s),” “continue(s),” “seek(s),” “estimate(s),” “goal(s),” “remain(s) optimistic,” “target(s),” “forecast(s),” “project(s),” “predict(s),” “should,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “hope,” “can” and other words and terms of similar meaning or expression in connection with a discussion of future operations, financial performance or financial condition, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in such forward-looking statements. Information concerning factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements is contained in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 25, 2022. The risks identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other SEC filings are representative of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release or as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, future dividend payments are within the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on numerous factors, including our financial condition, our capital requirements and other factors that our Board of Directors considers relevant.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

The Company prepares its public financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Management also uses adjusted operating income, a non-GAAP measure, to evaluate its operations and profitability.

Adjusted operating income: Adjusted operating income is calculated by excluding net investment gains and losses, after applicable federal and state income taxes from net income (loss). Management believes adjusted operating income is a meaningful measure for evaluating insurance company performance and a useful supplement to GAAP information because it better represents the normal, ongoing performance of our business. Investors and equity analysts who invest and report on the insurance industry and the Company generally focus on this metric in their analyses.

Certain Performance Measures

The Company uses the following measures to evaluate the financial performance. Management believes a discussion of these measures provides financial statement users of a better understanding of results of operations. The Company has provided the following definitions:

Net premiums written: Net premiums written is frequently used by industry analysts and other recognized reporting sources to facilitate comparisons of the performance of insurance companies. Net premiums written are the amount charged for insurance policy contracts issued and recognized on an annualized basis at the effective date of the policy. Management believes net premiums written are a meaningful measure for evaluating insurance company sales performance and geographical expansion efforts. Net premiums written for an insurance company consists of direct premiums written and premiums assumed, less premiums ceded. Net premiums earned is calculated on a pro rata basis over the terms of the respective policies. Unearned premium reserves are established for the portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired term of insurance policy in force. The difference between net premiums earned and net premiums written is the change in unearned premiums and change in prepaid reinsurance premiums.

Net underlying loss ratio and underlying combined ratio: Net underlying loss ratio represents the net loss ratio less the impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development. The underlying combined ratio represents the combined ratio less the impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development. The Company believes that the underlying loss ratio and underlying combined ratio are meaningful metrics to understand the underlying trends in the core business in the current accident year, removing the volatility of prior period impacts and catastrophes. Management believes separate discussions on catastrophe losses and prior period reserve development are important to understand how the company is managing catastrophe risk and in identifying developments in longer-tailed business.

Prior period reserve development is the increase (unfavorable) or decrease (favorable) in incurred loss and loss adjustment expense reserves at the valuation dates for losses which occurred in previous calendar years. This measure excludes development on catastrophe losses. Previously, prior period development on catastrophe losses was included.

Catastrophe losses is an operational measure which utilizes the designations of the Insurance Services Office ("ISO") and are reported with losses and loss adjustment expense amounts net of reinsurance recoverables, unless specified otherwise. In addition to ISO catastrophes, we also include as catastrophes those events ("non-ISO catastrophes"), which may include U.S. or international losses, that we believe are, or will be, material to our operations, either in amount or in number of claims made. Catastrophes are not predictable and are unique in terms of timing and financial impact. While management estimates catastrophe losses as incurred, due to the inherent unique nature of catastrophe losses, the impact in a reporting period is inclusive of catastrophes which occurred in the reporting period, as well as development on catastrophes that may have occurred in prior periods.

During the period, the Company reassessed the definition of prior period reserve development as used in the calculation of loss ratios to exclude catastrophe losses. As a result, there were immaterial changes to historical loss ratio components, net underlying loss ratio and underlying combined ratio. The updated loss ratio components, net underlying loss ratio and underlying combined ratio for the last eight quarters are shown in the tables below. The historical net loss ratio was not changed.

Supplemental Tables

(1) Net premiums written is a performance measure reflecting the amount charged for insurance policy contracts issued and recognized on an annualized basis at the effective date of the policy. See Certain Performance Measures for additional information.
(2) Commercial lines “Other liability” is business insurance covering bodily injury and property damage arising from general business operations, accidents on the insured’s premises and products manufactured or sold.
(3) Commercial lines “Fire and allied lines” includes fire, allied lines, commercial multiple peril and inland marine.
(4) Commercial lines “Surety” previously referred to as “Fidelity and surety”.
(5) Personal lines “Fire and allied lines” includes fire, allied lines, homeowners and inland marine.

NM = Not meaningful

NM = Not meaningful

Source: United Fire Group, Inc