Erie Indemnity Reports Second Quarter 2016 Results

Earnings Up 9.2 percent, Net Income per Diluted Share Up 9.5 percent for the Quarter

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Jul 28, 2016, 04:05 ET

ERIE, Pa., July 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Erie Indemnity Company (NASDAQ: ERIE) today announced financial results for the quarter ending June 30, 2016. Net income was $61.3 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2016, compared to $56.2 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2015. Net income was $107.2 million, or $2.04 per diluted share, in the first six months of 2016, compared to $95.0 million, or $1.81 per diluted share, in the first six months of 2015. Revenue growth in both the second quarter and first six months of 2016 outpaced the growth in expenses.

"Prudent expense management helped Indemnity's revenue outpace expense growth once again this quarter, resulting in an uptick in operating margin and increased earnings per share," said Terry Cavanaugh, President and CEO.

2Q and First Half 2016
(dollars in thousands)	2Q'15			2Q'16			1H'15			1H'16
Net revenue from operations	$	69,983		$	85,759		$	122,413		$	153,424
Investment income	15,705			7,404			22,244			9,963
Income before income taxes	85,688			93,163			144,657			163,387
Income tax expense	29,538			31,854			49,674			56,183
Net income	$	56,150		$	61,309		$	94,983		$	107,204
Gross margin from operations	17.4		%	20.2		%	16.3		%	19.2		%

2Q 2016 Highlights

Net revenue from operations before taxes increased $15.8 million, or 22.5 percent, in the second quarter of 2016 compared to the second quarter of 2015.

Management fee revenue increased $22.4 million, or 5.7 percent, in the second quarter of 2016 compared to the second quarter of 2015.
Commissions increased $12.1 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to the second quarter of 2015, primarily as a result of the 5.8 percent increase in direct and assumed premiums written by the Exchange.
Non-commission expense decreased $5.6 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to the second quarter of 2015. Information technology costs decreased $4.9 million driven by decreased professional fees and personnel costs. Customer service costs decreased $1.0 million primarily due to decreased credit card processing fees. Personnel costs in all expense categories were impacted by decreased pension costs primarily due to an increase in the pension discount rate.
The gross margin in the second quarter of 2016 was 20.2 percent compared to 17.4 percent in the second quarter of 2015.

Income from investments before taxes totaled $7.4 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to $15.7 million in the second quarter of 2015. Earnings from limited partnerships were $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to $10.7 million in the second quarter of 2015.

First Half 2016 Highlights

Net revenue from operations before taxes increased $31.0 million, or 25.3 percent, in the first six months of 2016 compared to the first six months 2015.

Management fee revenue increased $46.7 million, or 6.3 percent, in the first six months of 2016 compared to the first six months 2015.
Commissions increased $27.1 million in the first six months of 2016 compared to the first six months 2015, primarily as a result of the 6.4 percent increase in direct and assumed premiums written by the Exchange, while approximately one-quarter of the increase was due to higher agent incentive costs primarily related to profitable growth.
Non-commission expense decreased $12.0 million in the first six months of 2016 compared to the first six months 2015. Information technology costs decreased $9.6 million driven by decreased professional fees and personnel costs. Customer service costs decreased $1.0 million primarily due to decreased credit card processing fees. Administrative and other expenses decreased $2.3 million primarily due to decreased personnel costs. Personnel costs in all expense categories were impacted by decreased pension costs primarily due to an increase in the pension discount rate.
The gross margin in the first six months of 2016 was 19.2 percent compared to 16.3 percent in the first six months 2015.

Income from investments before taxes totaled $10.0 million in the first six months of 2016 compared to $22.2 million in the first six months 2015. Earnings from limited partnerships were $1.4 million in the first six months of 2016 compared to $13.1 million in the first six months 2015.

Webcast Information

Indemnity has scheduled a conference call and live audio broadcast on the Web for 10:00 AM ET on July 29, 2016. Investors may access the live audio broadcast by logging on to www.erieinsurance.com. Indemnity recommends visiting the website at least 15 minutes prior to the Webcast to download and install any necessary software. A Webcast audio replay will be available on the Investor Relations page of the Erie Insurance website by 12:30 PM ET.

Erie Insurance Group

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 10th largest homeowners insurer and 12th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 16th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has more than 5 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group is a FORTUNE 500 company, a Barron's 500 company and has been recognized by Forbes as one of America's 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies.

News releases and more information about Erie Insurance Group are available at www.erieinsurance.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

Statements contained herein that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements and, as such, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ, perhaps materially, from those discussed herein. Forward-looking statements relate to future trends, events or results and include, without limitation, statements and assumptions on which such statements are based that are related to our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources. Examples of forward-looking statements are discussions relating to premium and investment income, expenses, operating results, and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Among the risks and uncertainties, in addition to those set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause actual results and future events to differ from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements include the following:

dependence upon our relationship with the Erie Insurance Exchange ("Exchange") and the management fee under the agreement with the subscribers at the Exchange;
costs of providing services to the Exchange under the subscriber's agreement;
credit risk from the Exchange;
dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the growth of the Exchange, including:
- general business and economic conditions;
- factors affecting insurance industry competition;
- dependence upon the independent agency system; and
- ability to maintain our reputation for customer service;
dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the financial condition of the Exchange, including:
- the Exchange's ability to maintain acceptable financial strength ratings;
- factors affecting the quality and liquidity of the Exchange's investment portfolio;
- changes in government regulation of the insurance industry;
- emerging claims and coverage issues in the industry; and
- severe weather conditions or other catastrophic losses, including terrorism;
ability to attract and retain talented management and employees;
ability to maintain uninterrupted business operations;
factors affecting the quality and liquidity of our investment portfolio;
our ability to meet liquidity needs and access capital; and
outcome of pending and potential litigation.

A forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and reflects our analysis only as of that date. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.

(ERIE-F)

Erie Indemnity Company Statements of Operations
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	Three months ended June 30,				Six months ended June 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
	(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Operating revenue
Management fee revenue, net	$	416,665	$	394,224	$	784,123	$	737,458
Service agreement revenue	7,219		7,436		14,489		15,033
Total operating revenue	423,884		401,660		798,612		752,491

Operating expenses
Commissions	235,794		223,731		444,508		417,448
Salaries and employee benefits	55,025		57,354		108,314		112,373
All other operating expenses	47,306		50,592		92,366		100,257
Total operating expenses	338,125		331,677		645,188		630,078
Net revenue from operations	85,759		69,983		153,424		122,413

Investment income
Net investment income	4,891		4,435		9,553		8,976
Net realized investment gains (losses)	399		598		(689)		358
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	0		(35)		(345)		(155)
Equity in earnings of limited partnerships	2,114		10,707		1,444		13,065
Total investment income	7,404		15,705		9,963		22,244
Income before income taxes	93,163		85,688		163,387		144,657
Income tax expense	31,854		29,538		56,183		49,674
Net income	$	61,309	$	56,150	$	107,204	$	94,983


Earnings Per Share
Net income per share
Class A common stock – basic	$	1.32	$	1.21	$	2.30	$	2.04
Class A common stock – diluted	$	1.17	$	1.07	$	2.04	$	1.81
Class B common stock – basic	$	197	$	181	$	345	$	306
Class B common stock – diluted	$	197	$	180	$	345	$	305

Weighted average shares outstanding – Basic
Class A common stock	46,188,867		46,189,068		46,188,967		46,189,068
Class B common stock	2,542		2,542		2,542		2,542

Weighted average shares outstanding – Diluted
Class A common stock	52,392,862		52,562,514		52,458,394		52,598,633
Class B common stock	2,542		2,542		2,542		2,542

Dividends declared per share
Class A common stock	$	0.730	$	0.681	$	1.460	$	1.362
Class B common stock	$	109.500	$	102.150	$	219.000	$	204.300

Erie Indemnity Company
Reconciliation of Operating Income to Net Income

Reconciliation of operating income to net income

We disclose operating income, a non-GAAP financial measure, to enhance our investors' understanding of our performance. Our method of calculating this measure may differ from those used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.

We define operating income as net income excluding realized capital gains and losses, impairment losses, and related federal income taxes.

We use operating income to evaluate the results of our operations. It reveals trends that may be obscured by the net effects of realized capital gains and losses including impairment losses. Realized capital gains and losses, including impairment losses, may vary significantly between periods and are generally driven by business decisions and economic developments such as capital market conditions which are not related to our ongoing operations. We are aware that the price to earnings multiple commonly used by investors as a forward-looking valuation technique uses operating income as the denominator. Operating income should not be considered as a substitute for net income prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and does not reflect our overall profitability.

The following table reconciles operating income and net income:

	Three months ended June 30,				Six months ended June 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2016		2015		2016		2015
	(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Operating income	$	61,049	$	55,784	$	107,876	$	94,851
Net realized gains (losses) and impairments on investments	399		563		(1,034)		203
Income tax (expense) benefit	(139)		(197)		362		(71)
Realized gains (losses) and impairments, net of income taxes	260		366		(672)		132
Net income	$	61,309	$	56,150	$	107,204	$	94,983

Per Class A common share-diluted:
Operating income	$	1.17	$	1.07	$	2.05	$	1.81
Net realized gains (losses) and impairments on investments	0.00		0.00		(0.02)		0.00
Income tax (expense) benefit	0.00		0.00		0.01		0.00
Realized gains (losses) and impairments, net of income taxes	0.00		0.00		(0.01)		0.00
Net income	$	1.17	$	1.07	$	2.04	$	1.81

Erie Indemnity Company Statements of Financial Position (in thousands)
	June 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	124,111	$	182,889
Available-for-sale securities	46,087		62,067
Trading securities	496		—
Receivables from Erie Insurance Exchange and affiliates	387,273		348,055
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	33,885		24,697
Federal income taxes recoverable	0		11,947
Accrued investment income	5,816		5,491
Total current assets	597,668		635,146

Available-for-sale securities	607,548		537,874
Limited partnership investments	70,952		88,535
Fixed assets, net	58,986		59,087
Deferred income taxes, net	35,780		40,686
Note receivable from Erie Family Life Insurance Company	25,000		25,000
Other assets	18,892		20,968
Total assets	$	1,414,826	$	1,407,296

Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Commissions payable	$	217,203	$	195,542
Agent bonuses	58,235		106,752
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	90,856		88,532
Dividends payable	33,996		33,996
Deferred executive compensation	13,252		20,877
Federal income taxes payable	1,960		0
Total current liabilities	415,502		445,699

Defined benefit pension plans	170,619		172,700
Employee benefit obligations	910		1,234
Deferred executive compensation	12,461		16,580
Other long-term liabilities	140		1,580
Total liabilities	599,632		637,793

Shareholders' equity	815,194		769,503
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,414,826	$	1,407,296