ProSight Reports 2020 Second Quarter Results

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ProSight Global, Inc. (NYSE: PROS) (ProSight) today reported results for the second quarter of 2020. 

Highlights for the three months ended June 30, 2020 include: 

• Record net income from continuing operations of $17.3 million and adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ of $16.9 million with annualized return on equity ("ROE") of 12.9% and adjusted operating ROE ⁽²⁾ of 12.6%.
• Record diluted book value per share ("BVPS") of $12.84 compared to $10.73 as of March 31, 2020. Book value per share was $12.01 as of December 31, 2019.
• Rate execution of 10.5% excluding workers comp and 8.8% including workers comp with acceleration throughout the quarter.
• Combined ratio of 99.6% compared to 98.1% for the second quarter of 2019, representing the tenth consecutive quarter of underwriting profit at ProSight.
• Loss ratio of 61.9% compared to 62.8% (61.7% adjusted for the effect of WAQS ⁽³⁾) for the second quarter of 2019. The current quarter includes 2.0 points of catastrophe losses from civil unrest vs 1.5 points in the second quarter of 2019.
• Expense ratio of 37.7% compared to 35.3% (36.4% adjusted for the effect of WAQS ⁽³⁾) for the second quarter of 2019. The current quarter includes $1.5 million, or 83 basis points, of COVID-19-related allowance for bad debt and reflects reduced earned premium associated with the impact of COVID-19. Excluding the $1.5 million allowance for bad debt, total general and administrative expenses were down 4.2% compared to the second quarter of 2019.
• Gross written premiums ("GWP") for our customer segments ⁽⁴⁾ decreased in line with our expectations by 19.9% to $184.2 million compared to the second quarter of 2019, due to the impact of COVID-19 on several of our niches.
• Closed on new credit facility that will refinance our existing debt on favorable terms upon maturity in November 2020.

From CEO & President Larry Hannon: 

"Our thoughts are with all of those struggling from the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and we continue to stand with our Black friends, colleagues, and members of our community that are fighting for justice and equality.  At ProSight, we are thankful for the outstanding effort of our employees, and the support of our customers and distribution partners during these difficult times.  

"This was a strong quarter. We produced an underwriting profit, generated a double-digit ROE, achieved a new milestone in book value per share, closed on a new credit facility which will refinance our debt on attractive terms, and made progress on several initiatives that we expect will accelerate our growth and profitability in 2021.  Our rate execution was excellent in the quarter and the trend has continued into the third quarter.

"Our underwriting, risk selection and expense management allowed us to remain solidly profitable and grow our book value per share. We are executing well and expect to have a solid second half of the year with an improvement in our gross written premium versus the second quarter." 

Updated Outlook: 

"Looking at the third quarter and balance of 2020, we have somewhat greater visibility into our near-term operating results. This update represents our best estimates as of today for the full year: 

• Customer Segment Gross Written Premium: 5-10% decline from 2019 versus the 10-20% communicated at the end of the first quarter. This excludes the decline from the previously announced exit from excess workers compensation.
• Net Loss Ratio: Potential for 0 to 1.5-point increase from COVID-19 related claims and expenses in the current accident year loss ratio versus the up-to-3-point increase we communicated at the end of the first quarter.
• Expenses: Continued higher costs from bad debt provisioning given state-mandated deferrals of collections and cancellations coupled with the economic impact of COVID-19 on some of our insureds.
• Net Investment Income: We expect our fixed income portfolio, excluding limited partnerships, to yield approximately 3% for 2020, consistent with the 3% we communicated at the end of the first quarter. Net investment income volatility for the remainder of 2020 remains possible from our limited partnership investments."

Results of Operations for the three months ended June 30, 2020: 

Net income from continuing operations was $17.3 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2020 compared to $8.7 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2019. Adjusted operating income ⁽¹⁾ was $16.9 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2020 compared to $14.2 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2019. 

GWP including Other ⁽³⁾, decreased 20.7% for the second quarter of 2020 when compared to the second quarter of 2019. GWP ⁽³⁾ from customer segments was $184.2 million for the second quarter of 2020 compared to $230.0 million for the second quarter of 2019, a decrease of 19.9%, primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 on our Transportation and Media & Entertainment customer segments. Other GWP ⁽³⁾ were $2.2 million for the second quarter of 2020 compared to $5.0 million for the second quarter of 2019, the decrease driven by the timing of our exit from excess workers' compensation.  

Underwriting income ⁽¹⁾ was $0.7 million for the second quarter of 2020 compared to $3.8 million for the second quarter of 2019. The combined ratio for the second quarter of 2020 was 99.6% compared to 98.1% for the second quarter of 2019.  The decrease in underwriting income ⁽¹⁾ was due to reduced earned premium and bad debt expense attributable to COVID-19: 

The expense ratio was 37.7% for the second quarter of 2020 compared to 35.3% in the second quarter of 2019, with the increase driven by reduced earned premium, an increase in our allowance for bad debt attributable to COVID-19, and a ceding commission benefit from our Whole Account Quota Share ("WAQS") reinsurance agreements in the second quarter of 2019. The policy acquisition expense ratio was 23.1% in the second quarter of 2020 compared to 22.5% in the second quarter of 2019. The general & administrative expense ratio, which includes the bad debt allowance, was 14.6% in the second quarter of 2020 compared to 12.8% in the second quarter of 2019.   

The loss ratio was 61.9% for the second quarter of 2020 compared to 62.8% for the second quarter of 2019.     

The current accident year loss ratio, excluding catastrophe losses and prior year development, for the second quarter of 2020 was 59.8% compared to 62.6% in the second quarter of 2019.   

The current accident year loss ratio for the second quarter of 2020 includes $3.6 million (2.0 percentage points) of catastrophe losses due to civil unrest. The current accident year loss ratio for the second quarter of 2019 includes $3.0 million (1.5 percentage points) of catastrophe losses due to weather events. 

The loss ratio for the second quarter of 2020 included $0.3 million (0.1 percentage points) of unfavorable prior accident year loss development compared to $2.7 million (1.3 percentage points) of favorable prior accident year loss development in the second quarter of 2019. 

Net investment income increased by 36.7% to $23.8 million for the second quarter of 2020, compared to $17.4 million for the second quarter of 2019.  The increase in net investment income was driven by unrealized gains from our limited partnerships and growth in the book value of the investment portfolio of 12.7% to $2.3 billion, partially offset by a decline in investment yields on fixed maturity securities. 

Realized investment gains, net of realized losses, for the second quarter of 2020 were $1.9 million compared to $0.1 million for the second quarter of 2019 and include an increase to our credit loss allowance of $1.5 million. 

Total stockholders' equity was $586.1 million as of June 30, 2020, compared to $543.0 million as of December 31, 2019.  Tangible stockholders' equity ⁽⁵⁾ was $556.9 million as of June 30, 2020, compared to $513.8 million as of December 31, 2019. The increases in total stockholders' equity and tangible stockholders' equity ⁽⁵⁾ were driven by $24.6 million of net income in the first six months of 2020 and an increase in other comprehensive income of $15.3 million, driven by net unrealized gains on investment securities during the second quarter of 2020.  

Fully diluted book value per share grew by 6.9% to $12.84 at June 30, 2020, compared to $12.01 at December 31, 2019. Fully diluted tangible book value per share ⁽⁵⁾ increased by 7.4% to $12.21 at June 30, 2020, compared to $11.37 at December 31, 2019.  

Conference Call

As previously announced, on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. EST, ProSight senior management will host a conference call to discuss second quarter 2020 financial results.

The call will be available via webcast at https://investors.prosightspecialty.com/ or by accessing the online registration link here.  A replay of the call will be available at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2020, and can be accessed by dialing (800) 585-8367 or (416) 621-4642. The webcast will be available one hour after the call concludes and will be archived on our website for one year.

About ProSight

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, ProSight Global, Inc. is an innovative property and casualty insurance company that designs unique insurance solutions to help customers improve their business and realize value from their insurance purchasing decision. The company focuses on select niche industries, deploying differentiated underwriting and claims expertise with the goal of enhancing each customer's operating performance.  ProSight's products are sold through a limited and select group of retail and wholesale distribution partners.  Each of ProSight's regulated insurance company subsidiaries are rated "A-" (Excellent) by A.M. Best. ProSight's shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the ticker symbol PROS. To learn more about ProSight visit www.prosightspecialty.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to future developments in ProSight's business or expectations for ProSight's future financial performance and any statement not involving a historical fact. Forward-looking statements use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "should," "seek," "continue," and other words and terms of similar meaning.  ProSight's management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the time made.  However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made.  Except as required by law, ProSight undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.  Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the following: performance of, and our relationships with, third-party agents and vendors on which we rely to distribute certain business on our behalf, adequacy of our loss reserves including as a result of changes in the legal, regulatory, and economic environments in which the Company operates or the impacts of COVID-19, judicial, legislative, regulatory and other governmental developments, including in response to COVID-19, litigation tactics and developments, the effects of natural and man-made catastrophic events, the availability and affordability of reinsurance, changes in the business, financial condition or results of operations of the entities in which we invest, infection rates and severity and duration of pandemics, including COVID-19, and their direct and indirect effects on our investments, business operations, customers (including claims activity) and third parties, as well as management's response to these factors. ProSight cautions you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes and that actual performance and outcomes may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this release.  For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect ProSight's future results and financial condition, see our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties included under the captions "Risk Factors" in ProSight's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the period ended December 31, 2019 filed on March 10, 2020, as updated by ProSight's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its other periodic filings with the SEC.  References to "we," "us," "our," the "Company" and "ProSight", refer to ProSight Global, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Reorganization

ProSight was incorporated in Delaware in 2010.  Prior to July 25, 2019, ProSight was a wholly owned subsidiary of ProSight Global Holdings Limited ("PGHL"), a Bermuda holding company.  Effective July 25, 2019, PGHL merged with and into ProSight, with ProSight surviving the merger. As a result of the merger, all shares of PGHL then outstanding were converted into the right to receive, without interest, 6.46 shares of ProSight for each share of PGHL.  The historical share and per share figures contained in this release relating to periods prior to and including June 30, 2019 have been restated to give effect to this conversion, including reclassifying an amount equal to the change in value of common stock to additional paid-in capital, as of the stated period or date.  Further details regarding this merger and related reorganization transactions are included in ProSight's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the period ended December 31, 2019 filed on March 10, 2020.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In presenting ProSight Global, Inc.'s results, management has included financial measures that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such measures, including underwriting income, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating return on equity, adjusted operating return on tangible equity, adjusted loss excluding WAQS, adjusted expense ratio excluding WAQS, adjusted combined ratio excluding WAQS, tangible stockholders' equity, tangible book value per share and fully diluted tangible book value per share are referred to as non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those measures determined in accordance with GAAP.  Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP figures are included at the end of this press release.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure that we believe is useful in evaluating our underwriting performance without regard to investment income. Underwriting income represents the pre-tax profitability of our insurance operations and is derived by subtracting losses and LAE, and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses from net earned premiums. We use underwriting income as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives us and users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance. Underwriting income should not be considered in isolation or viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may calculate underwriting income differently.

Net income for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 reconciles to underwriting income as follows:

Adjusted operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure that we use as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives our management and other users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and underlying business performance, by excluding items that are not part of our underlying profitability drivers or likely to re-occur in the foreseeable future. Adjusted operating income should not be considered in isolation or viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may calculate adjusted operating income differently.

Net income for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 reconciles to adjusted operating income as follows:

Tangible stockholders' equity is a non-GAAP financial measure that we use as an internal performance measure to evaluate the strength of our balance sheet and to compare returns relative to this measure. We define tangible stockholders' equity as stockholders' equity less goodwill and net intangible assets. Tangible stockholders' equity should not be considered in isolation or viewed as a substitute for stockholders' equity calculated in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may calculate tangible stockholders' equity differently.

Stockholders' equity at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 reconciles to tangible stockholders' equity as follows:

SOURCE ProSight Global, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.prosightspecialty.com