Le Lézard
Classified in: Business
Subjects: EARNINGS, Conference Call, Webcast

Travelers Reports Third Quarter 2019 Net Income per Diluted Share of $1.50 and Return on Equity of 6.2%


The Travelers Companies, Inc. today reported net income of $396 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, compared to $709 million, or $2.62 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. Core income in the current quarter was $378 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, compared to $687 million, or $2.54 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. Core income decreased primarily due to net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the current quarter, including the impact of an increasingly challenging tort environment. Net realized investment gains were $23 million pre-tax ($18 million after-tax), compared to $29 million pre-tax ($22 million after-tax) in the prior year quarter. Per diluted share amounts benefited from the impact of share repurchases.

 

 

Consolidated Highlights

         

($ in millions, except for per share amounts, and after-tax, except for
premiums and revenues)

Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2019   2018   Change 2019   2018 Change
Net written premiums $ 7,569 $ 7,062 7 % $ 22,076 $ 21,017 5 %
 
Total revenues $ 8,013 $ 7,723 4 $ 23,518 $ 22,486 5
Net income $ 396 $ 709 (44 ) $ 1,749 $ 1,902 (8 )
per diluted share $ 1.50 $ 2.62 (43 ) $ 6.59 $ 6.97 (5 )
Core income $ 378 $ 687 (45 ) $ 1,670 $ 1,859 (10 )
per diluted share $ 1.43 $ 2.54 (44 ) $ 6.29 $ 6.81 (8 )
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 261.8 268.4 (2 ) 263.4 271.1 (3 )
Combined ratio 101.5 % 96.6 % 4.9 pts 97.9 % 96.8 % 1.1 pts
Underlying combined ratio 94.1 % 93.0 % 1.1 pts 93.5 % 93.0 % 0.5 pts
Return on equity 6.2 % 12.6 % (6.4 ) pts 9.5 % 11.1 % (1.6 ) pts
Core return on equity 6.5 % 12.0 % (5.5 ) pts 9.6 % 10.9 % (1.3 ) pts
 
As of Change From

September 30,
2019

 

December 31,
2018

 

September 30,
2018

December 31,
2018

 

September 30,
2018

Book value per share $ 99.21   $ 86.84 $ 84.82 14 % 17%
Adjusted book value per share 90.09 87.27 86.51 3 % 4%

See Glossary of Financial Measures for definitions and the statistical supplement for additional financial data.

"Third quarter core income was $378 million and core return on equity was 6.5%," said Alan Schnitzer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Despite the impacts of an increasingly challenging tort environment facing our industry and higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses, our underlying underwriting results were solid, benefiting from 4% growth in earned premiums and continued disciplined and thoughtful expense management. Earnings this quarter were impacted by net unfavorable reserve development in Business Insurance. While workers' compensation reserves continued to develop favorably, asbestos reserves developed in an amount comparable to the prior year quarter and general liability and commercial auto reserves developed unfavorably primarily due to the more challenging tort environment. Our high-quality investment portfolio performed well, generating net investment income of $528 million after-tax. In terms of capital management, we returned $590 million of excess capital to our shareholders this quarter, including $375 million through share repurchases, bringing the total capital returned to shareholders so far this year to more than $1.8 billion.

"Turning to the top line, we remain very pleased with the execution of our marketplace strategies. Net written premiums increased by 7% to a record $7.6 billion, with each of our business segments contributing. In Business Insurance, net written premiums increased 7% as we achieved renewal premium change of 7.4%, including renewal rate change of 4.3%, in both cases the highest levels in more than five years. At the same time, we maintained strong retention and grew new business. Given the elevated loss activity, we will continue to actively and thoughtfully seek rate increases. In Bond & Specialty Insurance, net written premiums increased by 13%, with strong production across our Management Liability and Surety businesses. In Personal Insurance, net written premiums increased by 7%, with Agency Auto up 3% and Agency Homeowners up 11%, both benefiting from renewal premium change and strong new business.

"We have a long track record of successfully managing our various businesses to create value over time, including through periods of elevated and volatile weather losses, changing loss trends, economic uncertainty and low interest rates. With insight from leading data and analytics driving our pricing and underwriting, the best claim organization in the industry and deep relationships with our agents and brokers, we will continue to leverage the power of our franchise to deliver industry-leading returns over time."

       

Consolidated Results

 
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions and pre-tax, unless noted otherwise) 2019     2018     Change 2019     2018     Change
Underwriting gain (loss): $ (149 ) $ 198 $ (347 ) $ 320 $ 546 $ (226 )

Underwriting gain (loss) includes:

Net favorable (unfavorable) prior year reserve development (294 ) 14 (308 ) (120 ) 350 (470 )
Catastrophes, net of reinsurance (241 ) (264 ) 23 (801 ) (1,106 ) 305
Net investment income 622 646 (24 ) 1,852 1,844 8
Other income (expense), including interest expense (64 ) (67 ) 3   (209 ) (229 ) 20  
Core income before income taxes 409 777 (368 ) 1,963 2,161 (198 )
Income tax expense 31   90   (59 ) 293   302   (9 )
Core income 378 687 (309 ) 1,670 1,859 (189 )
Net realized investment gains after income taxes 18   22   (4 ) 79   43   36  
Net income $ 396   $ 709   $ (313 ) $ 1,749   $ 1,902   $ (153 )
Combined ratio 101.5 % 96.6 % 4.9 pts 97.9 % 96.8 % 1.1 pts

Impact on combined ratio

Net (favorable) unfavorable prior year reserve development 4.1 pts (0.2 ) pts 4.3 pts 0.6 pts (1.7 ) pts 2.3 pts
Catastrophes, net of reinsurance 3.3 pts 3.8 pts (0.5 ) pts 3.8 pts 5.5 pts (1.7 ) pts
Underlying combined ratio 94.1 % 93.0 % 1.1 pts 93.5 % 93.0 % 0.5 pts
 
Net written premiums
Business Insurance $ 3,889 $ 3,648 7 % $ 11,926 $ 11,423 4 %
Bond & Specialty Insurance 728 644 13 2,025 1,871 8
Personal Insurance 2,952   2,770   7 8,125   7,723   5
Total $ 7,569   $ 7,062   7 % $ 22,076   $ 21,017   5 %

Third Quarter 2019 Results
(All comparisons vs. third quarter 2018, unless noted otherwise)

Net income of $396 million decreased $313 million due to lower core income and lower net realized investment gains. Core income of $378 million decreased $309 million, primarily due to net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the current quarter.

Underwriting results:

Net investment income of $622 million pre-tax ($528 million after-tax) decreased 4%. Income from the fixed income investment portfolio increased due to a higher average level of fixed maturity investments, as well as slightly higher interest rates. Private equity partnership and real estate partnership returns were strong but lower than in the prior year quarter.

Record net written premiums of $7.569 billion increased 7%, reflecting growth in all segments.

Year-to-Date 2019 Results
(All comparisons vs. year-to-date 2018, unless noted otherwise)

Net income of $1.749 billion decreased $153 million due to lower core income, partially offset by higher net realized investment gains. Core income of $1.670 billion decreased $189 million. Core income decreased primarily due to net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the current period versus net favorable prior year reserve development in the prior year period and a lower underlying underwriting gain, partially offset by lower catastrophe losses. The underlying underwriting gain, while lower, benefited from higher business volumes. Net realized investment gains of $101 million pre-tax ($79 million after-tax) were higher by $47 million pre-tax ($36 million after-tax).

Underwriting results:

Net investment income of $1.852 billion pre-tax ($1.572 billion after-tax) was comparable to the prior year period. Income from the fixed income investment portfolio increased due to a higher average level of fixed maturity investments, as well as higher long-term and short-term interest rates. Private equity partnership and real estate partnership returns were strong but lower than in the prior year.

Record gross written premiums of $23.685 billion grew 6%, reflecting growth in all segments. Net written premiums of $22.076 billion increased 5%. Growth in net written premiums was impacted by the Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaty entered into effective January 1, 2019 ("the new catastrophe reinsurance treaty"), the entire cost of which impacted net written premiums in the first quarter. Accordingly, the treaty did not impact net written premiums in the second or third quarters and will not impact net written premiums in the fourth quarter.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' equity of $25.607 billion increased 12% from year-end 2018, primarily due to the impact of lower interest rates on net unrealized investment gains (losses). Net unrealized investment gains included in shareholders' equity were $2.991 billion pre-tax ($2.354 billion after-tax), compared to net unrealized investment losses of $137 million pre-tax ($113 million after-tax) at year-end 2018. Book value per share of $99.21 increased 14% from year-end 2018, also primarily due to the impact of lower interest rates on net unrealized investment gains (losses). Adjusted book value per share of $90.09 increased 3% from year-end 2018.

The Company repurchased 2.5 million shares during the third quarter at an average price of $147.23 per share for a total cost of $375 million. Capacity remaining under the existing share repurchase authorization was $2.161 billion at the end of the quarter. Also at the end of the quarter, statutory capital and surplus was $20.780 billion, and the ratio of debt-to-capital was 20.4%. The ratio of debt-to-capital excluding after-tax net unrealized investment gains included in shareholders' equity was 22.0%, within the Company's target range of 15% to 25%.

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.82 per share. The dividend is payable on December 31, 2019, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 10, 2019.

       

Business Insurance Segment Financial Results

 
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions and pre-tax, unless noted otherwise) 2019     2018     Change 2019     2018     Change
Underwriting gain (loss): $ (284 ) $ (36 ) $ (248 ) $ (282 ) $ 69 $ (351 )

Underwriting gain (loss) includes:

Net favorable (unfavorable) prior year reserve development (316 ) (56 ) (260 ) (266 ) 94 (360 )
Catastrophes, net of reinsurance (116 ) (136 ) 20 (422 ) (442 ) 20
Net investment income 457 482 (25 ) 1,365 1,368 (3 )
Other income (expense) ?   4   (4 ) (6 ) (3 ) (3 )
Segment income before income taxes 173 450 (277 ) 1,077 1,434 (357 )
Income tax expense (benefit) (6 ) 40   (46 ) 133   187   (54 )
Segment income $ 179   $ 410   $ (231 ) $ 944   $ 1,247   $ (303 )
 
Combined ratio 107.0 % 100.6 % 6.4 pts 102.1 % 99.0 % 3.1 pts

Impact on combined ratio

Net (favorable) unfavorable prior year reserve development 8.1 pts 1.5 pts 6.6 pts 2.3 pts (0.9 ) pts 3.2 pts
Catastrophes, net of reinsurance 3.0 pts 3.7 pts (0.7 ) pts 3.7 pts 4.1 pts (0.4 ) pts
Underlying combined ratio 95.9 % 95.4 % 0.5 pts 96.1 % 95.8 % 0.3 pts
 
Net written premiums by market
Domestic
Select Accounts $ 695 $ 666 4 % $ 2,236 $ 2,168 3 %
Middle Market 2,150 2,032 6 6,569 6,279 5
National Accounts 273 238 15 800 778 3
National Property and Other 553   485   14 1,528   1,383   10
Total Domestic 3,671 3,421 7 11,133 10,608 5
International 218   227   (4 ) 793   815   (3 )
Total $ 3,889   $ 3,648   7 % $ 11,926   $ 11,423   4 %

Third Quarter 2019 Results
(All comparisons vs. third quarter 2018, unless noted otherwise)

Segment income for Business Insurance was $179 million after-tax, a decrease of $231 million. Segment income decreased primarily due to higher net unfavorable prior year reserve development, lower net investment income and a slightly lower underlying underwriting gain, partially offset by lower catastrophe losses. The underlying underwriting gain, while lower, benefited from higher business volumes.

Underwriting results:

Net written premiums of $3.889 billion increased 7%, benefiting from continued strong retention, higher renewal premium change and higher levels of new business.

Year-to-date 2019 Results
(All comparisons vs. year-to-date 2018, unless noted otherwise)

Segment income for Business Insurance was $944 million after-tax, a decrease of $303 million. Segment income decreased primarily due to net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the current period versus net favorable prior year reserve development in the prior year period and a slightly lower underlying underwriting gain, partially offset by lower catastrophe losses. The underlying underwriting gain, while lower, benefited from higher business volumes.

Underwriting results:

Gross written premiums of $13.194 billion grew 6%, benefiting from the same factors as discussed above for the third quarter 2019. Net written premiums of $11.926 billion increased 4%. Growth in net written premiums was impacted by the new catastrophe reinsurance treaty.

         

Bond & Specialty Insurance Segment Financial Results

 
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions and pre-tax, unless noted otherwise) 2019     2018     Change 2019     2018     Change
Underwriting gain: $ 104 $ 183 $ (79 ) $ 373 $ 526 $ (153 )

Underwriting gain includes:

Net favorable prior year reserve development

3 53 (50 ) 45 177 (132 )
Catastrophes, net of reinsurance (1 ) (4 ) 3 (4 ) (9 ) 5
Net investment income 59 57 2 173 172 1
Other income 6   4   2   16   13   3  
Segment income before income taxes 169 244 (75 ) 562 711 (149 )
Income tax expense 30   48   (18 ) 111   138   (27 )
Segment income $ 139   $ 196   $ (57 ) $ 451   $ 573   $ (122 )
 
Combined ratio 83.3 % 70.2 % 13.1 pts 79.8 % 70.4 % 9.4 pts

Impact on combined ratio

Net favorable prior year reserve development (0.5 ) pts (8.7 ) pts 8.2 pts (2.3 ) pts (9.9 ) pts 7.6 pts
Catastrophes, net of reinsurance 0.2 pts 0.6 pts (0.4 ) pts 0.2 pts 0.5 pts (0.3 ) pts
Underlying combined ratio 83.6 % 78.3 % 5.3 pts 81.9 % 79.8 % 2.1 pts
 
Net written premiums
Domestic
Management Liability $ 424 $ 379 12 % $ 1,194 $ 1,089 10 %
Surety 232   217   7 660   637   4
Total Domestic 656 596 10 1,854 1,726 7
International 72   48   50 171   145   18
Total $ 728   $ 644   13 % $ 2,025   $ 1,871   8 %

Third Quarter 2019 Results
(All comparisons vs. third quarter 2018, unless noted otherwise)

Segment income for Bond & Specialty Insurance was $139 million after-tax, a decrease of $57 million. Segment income decreased primarily due to lower net favorable prior year reserve development and a lower underlying underwriting gain. The underlying underwriting gain, while lower, benefited from higher business volumes.

Underwriting results:

Net written premiums of $728 million increased 13%, reflecting continued strong retention, increased levels of renewal premium change and strong new business in management liability and continued strong surety production.

Year-to-Date 2019 Results
(All comparisons vs. year-to-date 2018, unless noted otherwise)

Segment income for Bond & Specialty Insurance was $451 million after-tax, a decrease of $122 million. Segment income decreased primarily due to lower net favorable prior year reserve development and a lower underlying underwriting gain. The underlying underwriting gain, while lower, benefited from higher business volumes.

Underwriting results:

Net written premiums of $2.025 billion increased 8% and benefited from the same factors as discussed above for the third quarter 2019.

         

 

 

Personal Insurance Segment Financial Results

 
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions and pre-tax, unless noted otherwise)     2019     2018     Change 2019     2018     Change
Underwriting gain (loss): $ 31 $ 51 $ (20 ) $ 229 $ (49 ) $ 278

Underwriting gain (loss) includes:

Net favorable prior year reserve development 19 17 2 101 79 22
Catastrophes, net of reinsurance (124 ) (124 ) ? (375 ) (655 ) 280
Net investment income 106 107 (1 ) 314 304 10
Other income 22   17   5   65   48   17  
Segment income before income taxes 159 175 (16 ) 608 303 305
Income tax expense 28   22   6   111   38   73  
Segment income $ 131   $ 153   $ (22 ) $ 497   $ 265   $ 232  
 
Combined ratio 98.0 % 97.2 % 0.8 pts 96.2 % 99.9 % (3.7 ) pts

Impact on combined ratio

Net favorable prior year reserve development (0.7 ) pts (0.6 ) pts (0.1 ) pts (1.3 ) pts (1.1 ) pts (0.2 ) pts
Catastrophes, net of reinsurance 4.7 pts 4.9 pts (0.2 ) pts 4.9 pts 8.9 pts (4.0 ) pts
Underlying combined ratio 94.0 % 92.9 % 1.1 pts 92.6 % 92.1 % 0.5 pts
 
Net written premiums
Domestic
Agency (1)
Automobile $ 1,347 $ 1,305 3 % $ 3,871 $ 3,746 3 %
Homeowners and Other 1,300   1,168   11 3,395   3,137   8
Total Agency 2,647 2,473 7 7,266 6,883 6
Direct to Consumer 115   108   6 313   299   5
Total Domestic 2,762 2,581 7 7,579 7,182 6
International 190   189   1 546   541   1
Total $ 2,952   $ 2,770   7 % $ 8,125   $ 7,723   5 %

(1) Represents business sold through agents, brokers and other intermediaries, and excludes direct to consumer.

Third Quarter 2019 Results
(All comparisons vs. third quarter 2018, unless noted otherwise)

Segment income for Personal Insurance was $131 million after-tax, a decrease of $22 million. Segment income decreased primarily due to a lower underlying underwriting gain. The underlying underwriting gain, while lower, benefited from higher business volumes.

Underwriting results:

Net written premiums of $2.952 billion increased 7%. Agency Automobile net written premiums increased 3%, driven by renewal premium change of 4% and higher levels of new business. Agency Homeowners and Other net written premiums increased 11%, driven by renewal premium change of 7% and higher levels of new business.

Year-to-Date 2019 Results
(All comparisons vs. year-to-date 2018, unless noted otherwise)

Segment income for Personal Insurance was $497 million after-tax, an increase of $232 million. Segment income increased primarily due to lower catastrophe losses and higher net favorable prior year reserve development, partially offset by a lower underlying underwriting gain. The underlying underwriting gain, while lower, benefited from higher business volumes.

Underwriting results:

Gross written premiums of $8.312 billion grew 6%. Net written premiums of $8.125 billion increased 5%.

Agency Automobile gross written premiums of $3.896 billion grew 3%, driven by renewal premium change of 5% and higher levels of new business. Net written premiums increased 3%.

Agency Homeowners and Other gross written premiums of $3.538 billion grew 11% driven by renewal premium change of 6% and higher levels of new business. Net written premiums increased 8%.

Growth in net written premiums was impacted by the new catastrophe reinsurance treaty.

Financial Supplement and Conference Call

The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with the financial supplement that is available on our website at www.travelers.com. Travelers management will discuss the contents of this release and other relevant topics via webcast at 9 a.m. Eastern (8 a.m. Central) on Tuesday, October 22, 2019. Investors can access the call via webcast at http://investor.travelers.com or by dialing 1.844.895.1976 within the United States and 1.647.689.5389 outside the United States. Prior to the webcast, a slide presentation pertaining to the quarterly earnings will be available on the Company's website.

Following the live event, an audio playback of the webcast and the slide presentation will be available on the same website.

About Travelers

The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has approximately 30,000 employees and generated revenues of approximately $30 billion in 2018. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.

Travelers may use its website and/or social media outlets, such as Facebook and Twitter, as distribution channels of material Company information. Financial and other important information regarding the Company is routinely accessible through and posted on our website at http://investor.travelers.com, our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/travelers and our Twitter account (@Travelers) at https://twitter.com/travelers. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about Travelers when you enroll your email address by visiting the Email Notifications section at http://investor.travelers.com.

Travelers is organized into the following reportable business segments:

Business Insurance - Business Insurance offers a broad array of property and casualty insurance and insurance-related services to its customers, primarily in the United States, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and throughout other parts of the world as a corporate member of Lloyd's.

Bond & Specialty Insurance - Bond & Specialty Insurance provides surety, fidelity, management liability, professional liability, and other property and casualty coverages and related risk management services to its customers in the United States and certain specialty insurance products in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Brazil, utilizing various degrees of financially-based underwriting approaches.

Personal Insurance - Personal Insurance writes a broad range of property and casualty insurance covering individuals' personal risks, primarily in the United States, as well as in Canada. The primary products of automobile and homeowners insurance are complemented by a broad suite of related coverages.

* * * * *

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains, and management may make, certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements include, among other things, the Company's statements about:

The Company cautions investors that such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements.

Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the following:

Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release or as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of these factors, see the information under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 14, 2019, as updated by our periodic filings with the SEC.

*****

GLOSSARY OF FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP MEASURES TO NON-GAAP MEASURES

The following measures are used by the Company's management to evaluate financial performance against historical results, to establish performance targets on a consolidated basis, and for other reasons as discussed below. In some cases, these measures are considered non-GAAP financial measures under applicable SEC rules because they are not displayed as separate line items in the consolidated financial statements or are not required to be disclosed in the notes to financial statements or, in some cases, include or exclude certain items not ordinarily included or excluded in the most comparable GAAP financial measure. Reconciliations of these measures to the most comparable GAAP measures also follow.

In the opinion of the Company's management, a discussion of these measures provides investors, financial analysts, rating agencies and other financial statement users with a better understanding of the significant factors that comprise the Company's periodic results of operations and how management evaluates the Company's financial performance.

Some of these measures exclude net realized investment gains (losses), net of tax, and/or net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax, included in shareholders' equity, which can be significantly impacted by both discretionary and other economic factors and are not necessarily indicative of operating trends.

Other companies may calculate these measures differently, and, therefore, their measures may not be comparable to those used by the Company's management.

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO CORE INCOME AND CERTAIN OTHER NON-GAAP MEASURES

Core income (loss) is consolidated net income (loss) excluding the after-tax impact of net realized investment gains (losses), discontinued operations, the effect of a change in tax laws and tax rates at enactment, and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles when applicable. Segment income (loss) is determined in the same manner as core income (loss) on a segment basis. Management uses segment income (loss) to analyze each segment's performance and as a tool in making business decisions. Financial statement users also consider core income (loss) when analyzing the results and trends of insurance companies. Core income (loss) per share is core income (loss) on a per common share basis.

         

Reconciliation of Net Income to Core Income less Preferred Dividends

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

($ in millions, after-tax)     2019     2018 2019     2018
Net income $ 396 $ 709 $ 1,749 $ 1,902
Less: Net realized investment gains (18 ) (22 ) (79 ) (43 )
Core income $ 378   $ 687   $ 1,670   $ 1,859  
 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

($ in millions, pre-tax)     2019 2018 2019 2018
Net income $ 432 $ 806 $ 2,064 $ 2,215
Less: Net realized investment gains (23 ) (29 ) (101 ) (54 )
Core income $ 409   $ 777   $ 1,963   $ 2,161  
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
($ in millions, after-tax)     2018         2017         2016         2015         2014         2013         2012         2011         2010         2009         2008       2007         2006         2005  
Net income $ 2,523 $ 2,056 $ 3,014 $ 3,439 $ 3,692 $ 3,673 $ 2,473 $ 1,426 $ 3,216 $ 3,622 $ 2,924 $ 4,601 $ 4,208 $ 1,622
Less: Loss from discontinued operations   ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?   ?     ?     (439 )
Income from continuing operations 2,523 2,056 3,014 3,439 3,692 3,673 2,473 1,426 3,216 3,622 2,924 4,601 4,208 2,061
Adjustments:
Net realized investment (gains) losses (93 ) (142 ) (47 ) (2 ) (51 ) (106 ) (32 ) (36 ) (173 ) (22 ) 271 (101 ) (8 ) (35 )
Impact of TCJA at enactment (1)   ?     129     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?   ?     ?     ?  
Core income 2,430 2,043 2,967 3,437 3,641 3,567 2,441 1,390 3,043 3,600 3,195 4,500 4,200 2,026
Less: Preferred dividends   ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     1     3     3     4   4     5     6  
Core income, less preferred dividends $ 2,430   $ 2,043   $ 2,967   $ 3,437   $ 3,641   $ 3,567   $ 2,441   $ 1,389   $ 3,040   $ 3,597   $ 3,191 $ 4,496   $ 4,195   $ 2,020  

(1) Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA)

           

Reconciliation of Net Income per Share to Core Income per Share on a Basic and Diluted Basis

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2019     2018 2019     2018

Basic income per share

Net income $ 1.52 $ 2.65 $ 6.65 $ 7.03
Adjustments:
Net realized investment gains, after-tax (0.07 ) (0.09 ) (0.30 ) (0.16 )
Core income $ 1.45   $ 2.56   $ 6.35   $ 6.87  

Diluted income per share

Net income $ 1.50 $ 2.62 $ 6.59 $ 6.97
Adjustments:
Net realized investment gains, after-tax (0.07 ) (0.08 ) (0.30 ) (0.16 )
Core income $ 1.43   $ 2.54   $ 6.29   $ 6.81  
 

Reconciliation of Segment Income to Total Core Income

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

($ in millions, after-tax) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Business Insurance $ 179 $ 410 $ 944 $ 1,247
Bond & Specialty Insurance 139 196 451 573
Personal Insurance 131   153   497   265  

Total segment income

449 759 1,892 2,085
Interest Expense and Other (71 ) (72 ) (222 ) (226 )
Total core income $ 378   $ 687   $ 1,670   $ 1,859  

RECONCILIATION OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY TO ADJUSTED SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND CALCULATION OF RETURN ON EQUITY AND CORE RETURN ON EQUITY

Adjusted shareholders' equity is shareholders' equity excluding net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax, included in shareholders' equity, net realized investment gains (losses), net of tax, for the period presented, the effect of a change in tax laws and tax rates at enactment (excluding the portion related to net unrealized investment gains (losses)), preferred stock and discontinued operations.

     

Reconciliation of Shareholders' Equity to Adjusted Shareholders' Equity

 
As of September 30,
($ in millions)     2019       2018
Shareholders' equity $ 25,607 $ 22,460
Adjustments:
Net unrealized investment (gains) losses, net of tax, included in shareholders' equity (2,354 ) 447
Net realized investment gains, net of tax (79 ) (43 )
Adjusted shareholders' equity $ 23,174   $ 22,864  
   
As of December 31,
($ in millions)     2018       2017       2016       2015       2014       2013       2012       2011       2010       2009       2008       2007       2006       2005  
Shareholders' equity $ 22,894 $ 23,731 $ 23,221 $ 23,598 $ 24,836 $ 24,796 $ 25,405 $ 24,477 $ 25,475 $ 27,415 $ 25,319 $ 26,616 $ 25,135 $ 22,303
Adjustments:
Net unrealized investment (gains) losses, net of tax, included in shareholders' equity 113 (1,112 ) (730 ) (1,289 )

(1,966

)

(1,322 ) (3,103 ) (2,871 ) (1,859 ) (1,856 ) 146 (620 ) (453 ) (327 )
Net realized investment (gains) losses, net of tax (93 ) (142 ) (47 ) (2 ) (51 ) (106 ) (32 ) (36 ) (173 ) (22 ) 271 (101 ) (8 ) (35 )
Impact of TCJA at enactment ? 287 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Preferred stock ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? (68 ) (79 ) (89 ) (112 ) (129 ) (153 )
Loss from discontinued operations   ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     ?     439  
Adjusted shareholders' equity $ 22,914   $ 22,764   $ 22,444   $ 22,307   $ 22,819   $ 23,368   $ 22,270   $ 21,570   $ 23,375   $ 25,458   $ 25,647   $ 25,783   $ 24,545   $ 22,227  

Return on equity is the ratio of annualized net income (loss) less preferred dividends to average shareholders' equity for the periods presented. Core return on equity is the ratio of annualized core income (loss) less preferred dividends to adjusted average shareholders' equity for the periods presented. In the opinion of the Company's management, these are important indicators of how well management creates value for its shareholders through its operating activities and its capital management.

Average shareholders' equity is (a) the sum of total shareholders' equity excluding preferred stock at the beginning and end of each of the quarters for the period presented divided by (b) the number of quarters in the period presented times two. Adjusted average shareholders' equity is (a) the sum of total adjusted shareholders' equity at the beginning and end of each of the quarters for the period presented divided by (b) the number of quarters in the period presented times two.

       

 

Calculation of Return on Equity and Core Return on Equity

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

($ in millions, after-tax)   2019   2018 2019   2018
Annualized net income $ 1,585 $ 2,838 $ 2,332 $ 2,536
Average shareholders' equity 25,464   22,541   24,637   22,899  
Return on equity 6.2 % 12.6 % 9.5 % 11.1 %
Annualized core income $ 1,512 $ 2,746 $ 2,226 $ 2,478
Adjusted average shareholders' equity 23,339   22,809   23,289   22,774  
Core return on equity 6.5 % 12.0 % 9.6 % 10.9 %

Average annual core return on equity over a period is the ratio of:

a) the sum of core income less preferred dividends for the periods presented to b) the sum of: 1) the sum of the adjusted average shareholders' equity for all full years in the period presented, and 2) for partial years in the period presented, the number of quarters in that partial year divided by four, multiplied by the adjusted average shareholders' equity of the partial year.

     

Calculation of Average Annual Core Return on Equity from January 1, 2005 through September 30, 2019

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

Twelve Months Ended December 31,
($ in millions)     2019       2018     2018       2017       2016       2015       2014       2013       2012       2011       2010       2009       2008       2007       2006       2005  
Core income, less preferred dividends $ 1,670 $ 1,859 $ 2,430 $ 2,043 $ 2,967 $ 3,437 $ 3,641 $ 3,567 $ 2,441 $ 1,389 $ 3,040 $ 3,597 $ 3,191 $ 4,496 $ 4,195   $ 2,020
Annualized core income 2,226 2,478
Adjusted average shareholders' equity 23,289 22,774 22,814 22,743 22,386 22,681 23,447 23,004 22,158 22,806 24,285 25,777 25,668 25,350 23,381 21,118
Core return on equity     9.6 %     10.9 %     10.7 %     9.0 %     13.3 %     15.2 %     15.5 %     15.5 %     11.0 %     6.1 %     12.5 %     14.0 %     12.4 %     17.7 %     17.9 %     9.6 %
Average annual core return on equity for the period Jan. 1, 2005 through September 30, 2019 12.8 %

RECONCILIATION OF PRE-TAX UNDERWRITING GAIN EXCLUDING CERTAIN ITEMS TO NET INCOME

Underwriting gain (loss) is net earned premiums and fee income less claims and claim adjustment expenses and insurance-related expenses. In the opinion of the Company's management, it is important to measure the profitability of each segment excluding the results of investing activities, which are managed separately from the insurance business. This measure is used to assess each segment's business performance and as a tool in making business decisions. Pre-tax underwriting gain, excluding the impact of catastrophes and net favorable (unfavorable) prior year loss reserve development, is the underwriting gain adjusted to exclude claims and claim adjustment expenses, reinstatement premiums and assessments related to catastrophes and loss reserve development related to time periods prior to the current year. In the opinion of the Company's management, this measure is meaningful to users of the financial statements to understand the Company's periodic earnings and the variability of earnings caused by the unpredictable nature (i.e., the timing and amount) of catastrophes and loss reserve development. This measure is also referred to as underlying underwriting margin or underlying underwriting gain.

A catastrophe is a severe loss designated a catastrophe by internationally recognized organizations that track and report on insured losses resulting from catastrophic events, such as Property Claim Services (PCS) for events in the United States and Canada. Catastrophes can be caused by various natural events, including, among others, hurricanes, tornadoes and other windstorms, earthquakes, hail, wildfires, severe winter weather, floods, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and other naturally-occurring events, such as solar flares. Catastrophes can also be man-made, such as terrorist attacks and other intentionally destructive acts including those involving nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological events, cyber events, explosions and destruction of infrastructure. Each catastrophe has unique characteristics and catastrophes are not predictable as to timing or amount. Their effects are included in net and core income and claims and claim adjustment expense reserves upon occurrence. A catastrophe may result in the payment of reinsurance reinstatement premiums and assessments from various pools.

The Company's threshold for disclosing catastrophes is primarily determined at the reportable segment level. If a threshold for one segment or a combination thereof is exceeded and the other segments have losses from the same event, losses from the event are identified as catastrophe losses in the segment results and for the consolidated results of the Company. Additionally, an aggregate threshold is applied for international business across all reportable segments. The threshold for 2019 ranges from approximately $19 million to $30 million of losses before reinsurance and taxes.

Net favorable (unfavorable) prior year loss reserve development is the increase or decrease in incurred claims and claim adjustment expenses as a result of the re-estimation of claims and claim adjustment expense reserves at successive valuation dates for a given group of claims, which may be related to one or more prior years. In the opinion of the Company's management, a discussion of loss reserve development is meaningful to users of the financial statements as it allows them to assess the impact between prior and current year development on incurred claims and claim adjustment expenses, net and core income (loss), and changes in claims and claim adjustment expense reserve levels from period to period.

       

Components of Net Income

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

($ in millions, after-tax except as noted)   2019     2018 2019     2018
Pre-tax underwriting gain excluding the impact of catastrophes and net prior year loss reserve development $ 386 $ 448 $ 1,241 $ 1,302
Pre-tax impact of catastrophes (241 ) (264 ) (801 ) (1,106 )
Pre-tax impact of net favorable (unfavorable) prior year loss reserve development (294 ) 14   (120 ) 350  
Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss) (149 ) 198 320 546
Income tax expense (benefit) on underwriting results (48 ) 4   62   69  
Underwriting gain (loss) (101 ) 194 258 477
Net investment income 528 547 1,572 1,567
Other income (expense), including interest expense (49 ) (54 ) (160 ) (185 )
Core income 378 687 1,670 1,859
Net realized investment gains 18   22   79   43  
Net income $ 396   $ 709   $ 1,749   $ 1,902  

COMBINED RATIO AND ADJUSTMENTS FOR UNDERLYING COMBINED RATIO

Combined ratio: For Statutory Accounting Practices (SAP), the combined ratio is the sum of the SAP loss and LAE ratio and the SAP underwriting expense ratio as defined in the statutory financial statements required by insurance regulators. The combined ratio, as used in this earnings release, is the equivalent of, and is calculated in the same manner as, the SAP combined ratio except that the SAP underwriting expense ratio is based on net written premiums and the underwriting expense ratio as used in this earnings release is based on net earned premiums.

For SAP, the loss and LAE ratio is the ratio of incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses less certain administrative services fee income to net earned premiums as defined in the statutory financial statements required by insurance regulators. The loss and LAE ratio as used in this earnings release is calculated in the same manner as the SAP ratio.

For SAP, the underwriting expense ratio is the ratio of underwriting expenses incurred (including commissions paid), less certain administrative services fee income and billing and policy fees and other, to net written premiums as defined in the statutory financial statements required by insurance regulators. The underwriting expense ratio as used in this earnings release, is the ratio of underwriting expenses (including the amortization of deferred acquisition costs), less certain administrative services fee income, billing and policy fees and other, to net earned premiums.

The combined ratio, loss and LAE ratio, and underwriting expense ratio are used as indicators of the Company's underwriting discipline, efficiency in acquiring and servicing its business and overall underwriting profitability. A combined ratio under 100% generally indicates an underwriting profit. A combined ratio over 100% generally indicates an underwriting loss.

Underlying combined ratio represents the combined ratio excluding the impact of net prior year reserve development and catastrophes. The underlying combined ratio is an indicator of the Company's underwriting discipline and underwriting profitability for the current accident year.

Other companies' method of computing similarly titled measures may not be comparable to the Company's method of computing these ratios.

       

Calculation of the Combined Ratio

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

($ in millions, pre-tax)   2019     2018 2019     2018

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

Claims and claim adjustment expenses $ 5,230 $ 4,655 $ 14,493 $ 13,513
Less:
Policyholder dividends 15 12 37 37
Allocated fee income 47   38   132   115  
Loss ratio numerator $ 5,168   $ 4,605   $ 14,324   $ 13,361  

Underwriting expense ratio

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs $ 1,169 $ 1,117 $ 3,420 $ 3,259
General and administrative expenses (G&A) 1,098 1,059 3,280 3,234
Less:
Non-insurance G&A 48 38 145 114
Allocated fee income 74 71 214 209
Billing and policy fees and other 28   24   81   69  
Expense ratio numerator $ 2,117   $ 2,043   $ 6,260   $ 6,101  
Earned premium $ 7,179   $ 6,882   $ 21,022   $ 20,114  
Combined ratio (1)
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio 72.0 % 66.9 % 68.1 % 66.5 %
Underwriting expense ratio 29.5 % 29.7 % 29.8 % 30.3 %
Combined ratio 101.5 % 96.6 % 97.9 % 96.8 %

 

(1) For purposes of computing ratios, billing and policy fees and other (which are a component of other revenues) are allocated as a reduction of underwriting expenses. In addition, fee income is allocated as a reduction of losses and loss adjustment expenses and underwriting expenses. In addition, G&A include non-insurance expenses that are excluded from underwriting expenses, and accordingly are excluded in calculating the combined ratio.

RECONCILIATION OF BOOK VALUE PER SHARE AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY TO CERTAIN NON-GAAP MEASURES

Book value per share is total common shareholders' equity divided by the number of common shares outstanding. Adjusted book value per share is total common shareholders' equity excluding net unrealized investment gains and losses, net of tax, included in shareholders' equity, divided by the number of common shares outstanding. In the opinion of the Company's management, adjusted book value per share 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 share is adjusted 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 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), in addition to the effect of changing prices on invested assets.

   

 

Reconciliation of Shareholders' Equity to Tangible Shareholders' Equity, Excluding Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses), Net of Tax

 
As of
($ in millions, except per share amounts)   September 30,
2019
    December 31,
2018
Shareholders' equity $ 25,607 $ 22,894
Less: Net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax, included in shareholders' equity 2,354   (113 )
Shareholders' equity, excluding net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax, included in shareholders' equity 23,253 23,007
Less:
Goodwill 3,929 3,937
Other intangible assets 329 345
Impact of deferred tax on other intangible assets (44 ) (44 )
Tangible shareholders' equity $ 19,039   $ 18,769  
Common shares outstanding 258.1 263.6
Book value per share $ 99.21 $ 86.84
Adjusted book value per share 90.09 87.27
Tangible book value per share 73.76 71.20

RECONCILIATION OF TOTAL CAPITALIZATION TO TOTAL CAPITALIZATION EXCLUDING NET UNREALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES), NET OF TAX

Total capitalization is the sum of total shareholders' equity and debt. Debt-to-capital ratio excluding net unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax, included in shareholders' equity, is the ratio of debt to total capitalization excluding the after-tax impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses included in shareholders' equity. In the opinion of the Company's management, the debt-to-capital ratio is useful in an analysis of the Company's financial leverage.

   
As of
($ in millions)  

September 30,
2019

    December 31,
2018
Debt $ 6,558 $ 6,564
Shareholders' equity 25,607   22,894  
Total capitalization 32,165   29,458  
Less: Net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax, included in shareholders' equity 2,354   (113 )
Total capitalization excluding net unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax, included in shareholders' equity $ 29,811   $ 29,571  
Debt-to-capital ratio 20.4 % 22.3 %
Debt-to-capital ratio excluding net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax, included in shareholders' equity 22.0 % 22.2 %

OTHER DEFINITIONS

Gross written premiums reflect the direct and assumed contractually determined amounts charged to policyholders for the effective period of the contract based on the terms and conditions of the insurance contract. Net written premiums reflect gross written premiums less premiums ceded to reinsurers.

For Business Insurance and Bond & Specialty Insurance, retention is the amount of premium available for renewal that was retained, excluding rate and exposure changes. For Personal Insurance, retention is the ratio of the expected number of renewal policies that will be retained throughout the annual policy period to the number of available renewal base policies. For all of the segments, renewal rate change represents the estimated change in average premium on policies that renew, excluding exposure changes. Exposure is the measure of risk used in the pricing of an insurance product. The change in exposure is the amount of change in premium on policies that renew attributable to the change in portfolio risk. Renewal premium change represents the estimated change in average premium on policies that renew, including rate and exposure changes. New business is the amount of written premium related to new policyholders and additional products sold to existing policyholders. These are operating statistics, which are in part dependent on the use of estimates and are therefore subject to change. For Business Insurance, retention, renewal premium change and new business exclude National Accounts. For Bond & Specialty Insurance, retention, renewal premium change and new business exclude surety and other products that are generally sold on a non-recurring, project specific basis.

Statutory capital and surplus represents the excess of an insurance company's admitted assets over its liabilities, including loss reserves, as determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices.

Holding company liquidity is the total funds available at the holding company level to fund general corporate purposes, primarily the payment of shareholder dividends and debt service. These funds consist of total cash, short-term invested assets and other readily marketable securities held by the holding company.

For a glossary of other financial terms used in this press release, we refer you to the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 14, 2019, and subsequent periodic filings with the SEC.


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