Document


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8‑K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 7, 2018            
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Bermuda
001-36777
98-0585280
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
Wellesley House, 2nd Floor, 90 Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke Bermuda
HM 08
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
    
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +1-441-278-4580            
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8‑K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):
o
Written Communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a‑12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a‑12)
o
Pre‑commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d‑2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d‑2(b))
o
Pre‑commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e‑4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e‑4(c))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
 
Emerging Growth Company o
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o




Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On November 7, 2018, James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8‑K (this “Form 8‑K”).
The information in this Item 2.02 and in Exhibit 99.1 furnished herewith shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act unless specifically stated by the Company.
Item 8.01
Other Events.
On November 7, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per common share of the Company to be paid on December 28, 2018 to shareholders of record on December 14, 2018.
Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)    Exhibits
The following Exhibit is furnished as a part of this Form 8-K:
Exhibit No.
 
Description
99.1
 


    




SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.
Dated: November 7, 2018        
By: /s/ Sarah C. Doran    
Sarah C. Doran
Chief Financial Officer







EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
 
Description
99.1
 


Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1


https://cdn.kscope.io/f87e2bd029197eb574d6c9fbf312ca07-a20182stqtrjrvrpressrimage1a.jpg    
JAMES RIVER ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER
2018 RESULTS

Third Quarter 2018 Net Income of $19.6 million -- $0.64 per diluted share, an 89% increase over the third quarter of 2017, and Adjusted Net Operating Income of $19.4 million -- $0.64 per diluted share, an 81% increase over the third quarter of 2017

Year-to-date annualized Adjusted Net Operating Return on Average Tangible Equity of 15.1%

Combined ratio of 96.0%, an improvement of 3.3 percentage points over the prior year quarter

Net Investment Income of $16.4 million, an increase of 10%, or $1.5 million, over the prior year quarter

Pembroke, Bermuda, November 7, 2018 - James River Group Holdings, Ltd. ("James River" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: JRVR) today reported third quarter 2018 net income of $19.6 million ($0.64 per diluted share), compared to $10.4 million ($0.34 per diluted share) for the third quarter of 2017. Adjusted net operating income for the third quarter of 2018 was $19.4 million ($0.64 per diluted share), compared to $10.7 million ($0.36 per diluted share) for the same period in 2017.
Earnings Per Diluted Share
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
Net Income 1
$
0.64

 
$
0.34

Adjusted Net Operating Income 2
$
0.64

 
$
0.36

 
 
 
 
1 2018 results include unrealized losses on equity securities and related taxes.
2 See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" below.
Robert P. Myron, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “I am very pleased with our results this quarter, and year to date we have generated a 15.1% annualized Adjusted Net Operating Return on Average Tangible Equity. This quarter, underwriting income was up significantly across all three segments and investment income also grew nicely.
Our two U.S. primary segments grew written and earned premium, while we continued to selectively scale back our casualty reinsurance book, staying focused on attractive pockets of opportunity. We were again able to achieve rate increases on our core E&S renewals, which were up 2% in the quarter year over year.

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Wellesley House, 90 Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke HM 08, Bermuda
Mailing address l P.O. Box 1502, Hamilton HM FX, Bermuda
Tel 441.278.4580 l Fax 441.278.4588


JRVR Announces Third Quarter Results
Page 2
November 7, 2018


During the quarter we adjusted incurred but not reported loss reserves in both the current year and the 2016 year in our commercial auto division due to the relative performance of these accident years.”

Third Quarter 2018 Operating Results
Gross written premium of $280.0 million, consisting of the following:

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Excess and Surplus Lines
$
157,237

 
$
140,425

 
12
 %
Specialty Admitted Insurance
98,607

 
84,838

 
16
 %
Casualty Reinsurance
24,125

 
113,088

 
-79
 %
 
$
279,969

 
$
338,351

 
-17
 %

Net written premium of $173.4 million, consisting of the following:

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Excess and Surplus Lines
$
135,141

 
$
125,188

 
8
 %
Specialty Admitted Insurance
14,022

 
18,503

 
-24
 %
Casualty Reinsurance
24,278

 
113,073

 
-79
 %
 
$
173,441

 
$
256,764

 
-32
 %

Net earned premium of $204.7 million, consisting of the following:

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Excess and Surplus Lines
$
141,529

 
$
123,606

 
15
 %
Specialty Admitted Insurance
13,898

 
19,324

 
-28
 %
Casualty Reinsurance
49,263

 
59,186

 
-17
 %
 
$
204,690

 
$
202,116

 
1
 %

The Excess and Surplus Lines segment grew due to increases in its Commercial Auto division amid a rate increase on the March 1, 2018 renewal of the Company's largest contract, as well as 7% growth in core (non-commercial auto) lines gross written premium, as seven out of twelve underwriting divisions grew;
The Specialty Admitted Insurance segment gross written premium increased due to growth in individual risk Workers’ Compensation and fronting gross written premium, while net written premium and net earned premium decreased as a result of the October 1, 2017 inception of a third party 50% quota share reinsurance agreement on its individual risk Workers' Compensation line;

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JRVR Announces Third Quarter Results
Page 3
November 7, 2018


Gross written premium and net written premium in the Casualty Reinsurance segment decreased from that of the prior year quarter, as did net earned premium to a lesser degree.  The reduction included a shift in the renewal date of $49.5 million in premium from the third to the fourth quarter of 2018.  The balance of the reduction in gross written premium in this segment was in line with our expectations and is consistent with our planned reductions for the segment.  The Company expects gross and net written premium in this segment to decrease meaningfully for the full year 2018, but its net earned premium will lag given the earning patterns of the business, which generally extend to 24 months, and in some cases, beyond;
There was unfavorable reserve development of $12.2 million compared to favorable reserve development of $7.6 million in the prior year quarter (representing a 6.0 percentage point increase and 3.7 percentage point decrease to the Company’s loss ratio in each period, respectively);
Pre-tax (unfavorable) favorable reserve development by segment was as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
Excess and Surplus Lines
$
(10,401
)
 
$
5,108

Specialty Admitted Insurance
833

 
3,037

Casualty Reinsurance
(2,651
)
 
(581
)
 
$
(12,219
)
 
$
7,564

    

The unfavorable reserve development in the quarter was largely a result of $10.4 million of adverse development in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment, driven by the 2016 accident year in our commercial auto division. The unfavorable reserve development in the Casualty Reinsurance segment largely related to treaties the Company no longer writes;
Group accident year loss ratio of 67.5% was down from 78.2% in the prior year quarter. Accident year loss ratios were down across all segments this quarter. The principal drivers of this decrease were an adjustment to lower the current year loss pick in our commercial auto division, along with a lack of catastrophe losses in the current quarter, as the Company's results in the third quarter of 2017 included $10 million of pre-tax net losses from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. The return to normalized loss emergence in the Specialty Admitted segment and a continued shift in business mix in the Casualty Reinsurance segment also caused the current accident year loss ratio to decrease;
Group combined ratio of 96.0% improved from 99.3% in the prior year quarter;
Group expense ratio of 22.5% improved from 24.9% in the prior year quarter, driven by continued growth in lines of business which carry relatively low net expenses;
Gross fee income by segment was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Excess and Surplus Lines
$
2,998

 
$
3,946

 
(24
)%
Specialty Admitted Insurance
3,815

 
3,097

 
23
 %
 
$
6,813

 
$
7,043

 
(3
)%


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JRVR Announces Third Quarter Results
Page 4
November 7, 2018


Fee income in the Excess & Surplus Lines segment decreased from its level in the prior year quarter as a portion of the segment’s fee for services revenue is now recorded as gross written premium. Fee income in the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment increased as a result of the continued growth of its fronting business;
Net investment income of $16.4 million, an increase of 10% from the prior year quarter. Further details can be found in the "Investment Results" section below.

Investment Results
Net investment income for the third quarter of 2018 was $16.4 million, which compares to $14.9 million for the same period in 2017. The increase was driven by improved book yields in the fixed maturity and bank loan portfolios due to higher market interest rates as well as an increased portfolio size.
The Company’s net investment income consisted of the following:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Renewable Energy Investments
$
329

 
$
1,516

 
(78
)%
Other Private Investments
1,402

 
800

 
75
 %
All Other Net Investment Income
14,679

 
12,564

 
17
 %
Total Net Investment Income
$
16,410

 
$
14,880

 
10
 %
The Company’s annualized gross investment yield on average fixed maturity, bank loan and equity securities for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was 4.1% (versus 4.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 4.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2017) and the average duration of the fixed maturity and bank loan portfolio was 3.6 years at September 30, 2018 (versus 3.4 years at June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017). Renewable energy and other private investments produced an annualized return of 9.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 (14.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2017). These portfolios are concentrated and the renewable energy portion in particular can be heavily influenced by portfolio sales and valuation factors, including long term interest rates.
Taxes
Generally the Company's effective tax rate fluctuates from period to period based on the relative mix of income reported by country and the respective tax rates imposed by each tax jurisdiction. The tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was 11.5% and 23.8%, respectively.

Tangible Equity
Tangible equity before dividends increased 6.4% from $474.5 million at December 31, 2017 to $504.9 million at September 30, 2018, due to $52.2 million of net income and $7.2 million of option exercise activity and stock compensation. These items were partially offset by $29.5 million of after tax unrealized losses in the Company's fixed income investment portfolio resulting from increased market interest rates.

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JRVR Announces Third Quarter Results
Page 5
November 7, 2018


September 30, 2018 tangible equity after dividends of $477.7 million increased 0.7% from $474.5 million at December 31, 2017 and increased 1.8% from $469.4 million at June 30, 2018. Tangible equity per common share was $15.95 at September 30, 2018, net of $0.90 of dividends per share the Company paid during the first nine months of 2018. The year-to-date annualized adjusted net operating income return on average tangible equity was 15.1%, which compares to 11.8% for the same period in 2017.
Capital Management
The Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per common share. This dividend is payable on Friday, December 28, 2018 to all shareholders of record on Friday, December 14, 2018.
Conference Call
James River Group Holdings, Ltd. will hold a conference call to discuss its third quarter results tomorrow, November 8, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors may access the conference call by dialing (877) 930-8055, Conference ID# 2288525, or via the internet by going to www.jrgh.net and clicking on the “Investor Relations” link. Please visit the website at least 15 minutes early to register and download any necessary audio software. A replay of the call will be available until 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on December 8, 2018 and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 or by visiting the company website.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, such forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as believe, expect, seek, may, will, intend, project, anticipate, plan, estimate, guidance or similar words. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Although it is not possible to identify all of these risks and factors, they include, among others, the following: the inherent uncertainty of estimating reserves and the possibility that incurred losses may be greater than our loss and loss adjustment expense reserves; inaccurate estimates and judgments in our risk management may expose us to greater risks than intended; the potential loss of key members of our management team or key employees and our ability to attract and retain personnel; adverse economic factors resulting in the sale of fewer policies than expected or an increase in the frequency or severity of claims, or both; a decline in our financial strength rating resulting in a reduction of new or renewal business; reliance on a select group of brokers and agents for a significant portion of our business and the impact of our potential failure to maintain such relationships; reliance on a select group of customers for a significant portion of our business and the impact of our potential failure to maintain such relationships; changes in laws or government regulation, including tax or insurance law and regulations; the recently enacted Public Law No. 115-97, informally titled the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, may have a significant effect on us including, among other things, by potentially increasing our tax rate, as well as on our shareholders; in the event we do not qualify for the insurance company exception to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules and are therefore considered a PFIC, there could be material adverse tax consequences to an investor that is subject to U.S. federal income taxation; the Company or any of its foreign subsidiaries becoming subject to U.S. federal

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JRVR Announces Third Quarter Results
Page 6
November 7, 2018


income taxation; a failure of any of the loss limitations or exclusions we utilize to shield us from unanticipated financial losses or legal exposures, or other liabilities; losses from catastrophic events which substantially exceed our expectations and/or exceed the amount of reinsurance we have purchased to protect us from such events; potential effects on our business of emerging claim and coverage issues; exposure to credit risk, interest rate risk and other market risk in our investment portfolio; our ability to obtain reinsurance coverage at prices and on terms that allow us to transfer risk and adequately protect our company against financial loss; losses resulting from reinsurance counterparties failing to pay us on reinsurance claims or insurance companies with whom we have a fronting arrangement failing to pay us for claims; the potential impact of internal or external fraud, operational errors, systems malfunctions or cyber security incidents; our ability to manage our growth effectively; inadequacy of premiums we charge to compensate us for our losses incurred; failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (“Sarbanes-Oxley”); and changes in our financial condition, regulations or other factors that may restrict our subsidiaries’ ability to pay us dividends. Additional information about these risks and uncertainties, as well as others that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, is contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2018. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In presenting James River Group Holdings, Ltd.’s results, management has included financial measures that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Such measures, including underwriting profit, adjusted net operating income, tangible equity, adjusted net operating return on average tangible equity (which is calculated as annualized adjusted net operating income divided by the average tangible equity for the trailing four quarters), and pre-dividend tangible equity 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 such measures to the most comparable GAAP figures are included at the end of this press release.
About James River Group Holdings, Ltd.
James River Group Holdings, Ltd. is a Bermuda-based insurance holding company which owns and operates a group of specialty insurance and reinsurance companies. The Company operates in three specialty property-casualty insurance and reinsurance segments: Excess and Surplus Lines, Specialty Admitted Insurance and Casualty Reinsurance. Each of the Company’s regulated insurance subsidiaries are rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.
Visit James River Group Holdings, Ltd. on the web at www.jrgh.net

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JRVR Announces Third Quarter Results
Page 7
November 7, 2018


For more information contact:
Kevin Copeland
SVP Finance & Chief Investment Officer
Investor Relations
441-278-4573
InvestorRelations@jrgh.net

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JRVR Announces Third Quarter Results
Page 8
November 7, 2018


James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(Unaudited)

 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
($ in thousands, except for share data)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Invested assets:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale
$
1,154,488

 
$
1,016,098

Fixed maturity securities, trading

 
3,808

Equity securities, at fair value
84,827

 
82,522

Bank loan participations, held-for-investment
262,779

 
238,214

Short-term investments
40,219

 
36,804

Other invested assets
76,973

 
70,208

Total invested assets
1,619,286

 
1,447,654

 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
184,417

 
163,495

Accrued investment income
10,554

 
8,381

Premiums receivable and agents’ balances
315,287

 
352,436

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses
424,400

 
302,524

Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
18,832

 
11,292

Deferred policy acquisition costs
57,474

 
72,365

Goodwill and intangible assets
219,718

 
220,165

Other assets
185,466

 
178,383

Total assets
$
3,035,434

 
$
2,756,695

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
$
1,569,761

 
$
1,292,349

Unearned premiums
394,994

 
418,114

Senior debt
98,300

 
98,300

Junior subordinated debt
104,055

 
104,055

Accrued expenses
47,763

 
39,295

Other liabilities
123,153

 
109,883

Total liabilities
2,338,026

 
2,061,996

 
 
 
 
Total shareholders’ equity
697,408

 
694,699

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
3,035,434

 
$
2,756,695

 
 
 
 
Tangible equity (a)
$
477,690

 
$
474,534

Tangible equity per common share outstanding (a)
$
15.95

 
$
15.98

Total shareholders’ equity per common share
   outstanding
$
23.29



$
23.39

Common shares outstanding
29,950,120

 
29,696,682

Debt (b) to total capitalization ratio
22.5
%
 
22.6
%
(a)    See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures”.
(b)    Includes senior debt and junior subordinated debt.
 
 
 

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JRVR Announces Third Quarter Results
Page 8
November 7, 2018


James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Income Statement Data
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
($ in thousands, except for share data)
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross written premiums
$
279,969

 
$
338,351

 
$
871,463

 
$
844,005

Net written premiums
173,441

 
256,764

 
573,025

 
622,498

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earned premiums
204,690

 
202,116

 
613,842

 
540,880

Net investment income
16,410

 
14,880

 
45,801

 
45,327

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments (a)
467

 
(171
)
 
(407
)
 
1,183

Other income
3,125

 
4,041

 
11,841

 
12,272

Total revenues
224,692

 
220,866

 
671,077

 
599,662

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
150,387

 
150,445

 
448,754

 
386,898

Other operating expenses
49,180

 
54,260

 
155,714

 
156,189

Other expenses
(131
)
 
119

 
(34
)
 
351

Interest expense
2,991

 
2,304

 
8,459

 
6,651

Amortization of intangible assets
149

 
149

 
447

 
447

Total expenses
202,576

 
207,277

 
613,340

 
550,536

Income before taxes
22,116

 
13,589

 
57,737

 
49,126

Income tax expense
2,535

 
3,238

 
5,539

 
5,784

NET INCOME
$
19,581

 
$
10,351

 
$
52,198

 
$
43,342

ADJUSTED NET OPERATING INCOME (b)
$
19,402

 
$
10,731

 
$
53,540

 
$
43,314

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.65

 
$
0.35

 
$
1.75

 
$
1.47

Diluted
$
0.64

 
$
0.34

 
$
1.72

 
$
1.43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ADJUSTED NET OPERATING INCOME PER SHARE
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.65

 
$
0.36

 
$
1.79

 
$
1.47

Diluted
$
0.64

 
$
0.36

 
$
1.77

 
$
1.43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
29,935,216

 
29,524,243

 
29,861,467

 
29,407,762

Diluted
30,380,145

 
30,220,077

 
30,290,183

 
30,285,733

Cash dividends declared per common share
$
0.30

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.90

 
$
0.90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio
73.5
%
 
74.4
%
 
73.1
%
 
71.5
%
Expense ratio (c)
22.5
%
 
24.9
%
 
23.5
%
 
26.7
%
Combined ratio
96.0
%
 
99.3
%
 
96.6
%
 
98.2
%
Accident year loss ratio
67.5
%
 
78.2
%
 
71.2
%
 
73.2
%
(a) 2018 includes net realized gains of $494,000 and net realized losses of $695,000 for the change in net unrealized gains on equity securities in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, in accordance with the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018.
(b) See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures".

(c) Calculated with a numerator comprising other operating expenses less gross fee income of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment and a denominator of net earned premiums.


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JRVR Announces Third Quarter Results
Page 9
November 7, 2018



James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Segment Results

EXCESS AND SURPLUS LINES
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
 
($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums
$
157,237

 
$
140,425

 
12.0
%
 
$
490,121

 
$
387,424

 
26.5
%
Net written premiums
$
135,141

 
$
125,188

 
8.0
%
 
$
432,307

 
$
346,356

 
24.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earned premiums
$
141,529

 
$
123,606

 
14.5
%
 
$
410,627

 
$
334,723

 
22.7
%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
(111,292
)
 
(95,855
)
 
16.1
%
 
(321,518
)
 
(248,944
)
 
29.2
%
Underwriting expenses
(18,935
)
 
(17,805
)
 
6.3
%
 
(56,391
)
 
(55,304
)
 
2.0
%
Underwriting profit (a), (b)
$
11,302

 
$
9,946

 
13.6
%
 
$
32,718

 
$
30,475

 
7.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio
78.6
%
 
77.5
%
 
 
 
78.3
%
 
74.4
%
 
 
Expense ratio
13.4
%
 
14.5
%
 
 
 
13.7
%
 
16.5
%
 
 
Combined ratio
92.0
%
 
92.0
%
 
 
 
92.0
%
 
90.9
%
 
 
Accident year loss ratio
71.3
%
 
81.7
%
 
 
 
76.1
%
 
77.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures".
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b) Underwriting results include fee income of $3.0 million and $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $11.5 million and $12.0 million for the respective nine month periods. These amounts are included in “Other income” in our Condensed Consolidated Income Statements.


-MORE-

JRVR Announces Third Quarter Results
Page 10
November 7, 2018


SPECIALTY ADMITTED INSURANCE
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
 
($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums
$
98,607

 
$
84,838

 
16.2
 %
 
$
283,108

 
$
234,073

 
20.9
 %
Net written premiums
$
14,022

 
$
18,503

 
(24.2
)%
 
$
42,327

 
$
53,462

 
(20.8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earned premiums
$
13,898

 
$
19,324

 
(28.1
)%
 
$
41,504

 
$
53,337

 
(22.2
)%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
(8,246
)
 
(12,506
)
 
(34.1
)%
 
(25,283
)
 
(34,354
)
 
(26.4
)%
Underwriting expenses
(3,883
)
 
(5,967
)
 
(34.9
)%
 
(11,841
)
 
(16,737
)
 
(29.3
)%
Underwriting profit (a), (b)
$
1,769

 
$
851

 
107.9
 %
 
$
4,380

 
$
2,246

 
95.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio
59.3
%
 
64.7
%
 
 
 
60.9
%
 
64.4
%
 
 
Expense ratio
28.0
%
 
30.9
%
 
 
 
28.5
%
 
31.4
%
 
 
Combined ratio
87.3
%
 
95.6
%
 
 
 
89.4
%
 
95.8
%
 
 
Accident year loss ratio
65.3
%
 
80.4
%
 
 
 
66.5
%
 
68.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures".
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b) Underwriting results include fee income of $3.8 million and $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $10.9 million and $7.8 million for the respective nine month periods.

CASUALTY REINSURANCE
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
 
($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums
$
24,125

 
$
113,088

 
(78.7
)%
 
$
98,234

 
$
222,508

 
(55.9
)%
Net written premiums
$
24,278

 
$
113,073

 
(78.5
)%
 
$
98,391

 
$
222,680

 
(55.8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earned premiums
$
49,263

 
$
59,186

 
(16.8
)%
 
$
161,711

 
$
152,820

 
5.8
 %
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
(30,849
)
 
(42,084
)
 
(26.7
)%
 
(101,953
)
 
(103,600
)
 
(1.6
)%
Underwriting expenses
(16,838
)
 
(20,035
)
 
(16.0
)%
 
(54,709
)
 
(53,083
)
 
3.1
 %
Underwriting profit (loss) (a)
$
1,576

 
$
(2,933
)
 
-

 
$
5,049

 
$
(3,863
)
 
-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio
62.6
%
 
71.1
%
 
 
 
63.0
%
 
67.8
%
 
 
Expense ratio
34.2
%
 
33.9
%
 
 
 
33.9
%
 
34.7
%
 
 
Combined ratio
96.8
%
 
105.0
%
 
 
 
96.9
%
 
102.5
%
 
 
Accident year loss ratio
57.2
%
 
70.1
%
 
 
 
60.0
%
 
66.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures".
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


-MORE-

JRVR Announces Third Quarter Results
Page 11
November 7, 2018


RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

Underwriting Profit

The following table reconciles the underwriting profit (loss) by individual operating segment and for the entire Company to consolidated income before taxes. We believe that these measures are useful to investors in evaluating the performance of our Company and its operating segments because our objective is to consistently earn underwriting profits. We evaluate the performance of our operating segments and allocate resources based primarily on underwriting profit of operating segments. Our definition of underwriting profit of operating segments and underwriting profit may not be comparable to that of other companies.
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in thousands)
Underwriting profit (loss) of the operating segments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess and Surplus Lines
$
11,302

 
$
9,946

 
$
32,718

 
$
30,475

Specialty Admitted Insurance
1,769

 
851

 
4,380

 
2,246

Casualty Reinsurance
1,576

 
(2,933
)
 
5,049

 
(3,863
)
Total underwriting profit of operating segments
14,647

 
7,864

 
42,147

 
28,858

Other operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment
(6,526
)
 
(6,507
)
 
(21,264
)
 
(19,063
)
Underwriting profit (a)
8,121

 
1,357

 
20,883

 
9,795

Net investment income
16,410

 
14,880

 
45,801

 
45,327

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments (b)
467

 
(171
)
 
(407
)
 
1,183

Other income and expenses
258

 
(24
)
 
366

 
(81
)
Interest expense
(2,991
)
 
(2,304
)
 
(8,459
)
 
(6,651
)
Amortization of intangible assets
(149
)
 
(149
)
 
(447
)
 
(447
)
Consolidated income before taxes
$
22,116

 
$
13,589

 
$
57,737

 
$
49,126

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)    Included in underwriting results for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 is fee income of $6.8 million and $7.0 million, respectively, and $22.4 million and $19.8 million for the respective nine month periods.
(b)    2018 includes net realized gains of $494,000 and net realized losses of $695,000 for the change in net unrealized gains on equity securities in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, in accordance with the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018.

Adjusted Net Operating Income

We define adjusted net operating income as net income excluding net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments (net realized investment gains (losses) and the change in unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities per the adoption of ASU 2016-01), as well as non-operating expenses including those that relate to due diligence costs for various merger and acquisition activities, professional fees related to the filing of registration statements for the sale of our securities, costs associated with former employees and interest and other expenses on a leased building that we are deemed to own for accounting purposes. We use adjusted net operating income 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 our underlying business performance. Adjusted net operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and our definition of adjusted net operating income may not be comparable to that of other companies.

Our income before taxes and net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, reconciles to our adjusted net operating income as follows:

-MORE-

JRVR Announces Third Quarter Results
Page 12
November 7, 2018


 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Income Before Taxes
 
Net Income
 
Income Before Taxes
 
Net Income
 
(in thousands)
Income as reported
$
22,116

 
$
19,581

 
$
13,589

 
$
10,351

Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on investments (a)
(467
)
 
(397
)
 
171

 
82

Other expenses
(131
)
 
(101
)
 
119

 
93

Interest expense on leased building the Company is deemed to own for accounting purposes
404

 
319

 
315

 
205

Adjusted net operating income
$
21,922

 
$
19,402

 
$
14,194

 
$
10,731

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Income Before Taxes
 
Net Income
 
Income Before Taxes
 
Net Income
 
(in thousands)
Income as reported
$
57,737

 
$
52,198

 
$
49,126

 
$
43,342

Net realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments (a)
407

 
366

 
(1,183
)
 
(1,000
)
Other expenses
(34
)
 
45

 
351

 
361

Interest expense on leased building the Company is deemed to own for accounting purposes
1,179

 
931

 
940

 
611

Adjusted net operating income
$
59,289

 
$
53,540

 
$
49,234

 
$
43,314

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)    2018 includes net realized gains of $494,000 and net realized losses of $695,000 for the change in net unrealized gains on equity securities in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, in accordance with the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tangible Equity (per Share) and Pre-Dividend Tangible Equity (per Share)

We define tangible equity as shareholders’ equity less goodwill and intangible assets (net of amortization). Our definition of tangible equity may not be comparable to that of other companies, and it should not be viewed as a substitute for shareholders’ equity calculated in accordance with GAAP. We use tangible equity internally to evaluate the strength of our balance sheet and to compare returns relative to this measure. The following table reconciles shareholders’ equity to tangible equity for September 30, 2018, December 31, 2017, and September 30, 2017 and reconciles tangible equity to tangible equity before dividends for September 30, 2018.

 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
September 30, 2017
($ in thousands, except for share data)
Equity
 
Equity per share
 
Equity
 
Equity per share
 
Equity
 
Equity per share
Shareholders' equity
$
697,408

 
$
23.29

 
$
694,699

 
$
23.39

 
$
720,969

 
$
24.37

Goodwill and intangible assets
219,718

 
7.34

 
220,165

 
7.41

 
220,315

 
7.45

Tangible equity
$
477,690

 
$
15.95

 
$
474,534

 
$
15.98

 
$
500,654

 
$
16.92

Dividends to shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2018
27,189

 
0.90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-dividend tangible equity
$
504,879

 
$
16.85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-END-