Finance

Conifer Holdings Reports 2024 Second Quarter Financial Results


Conifer Holdings, Inc.Conifer Holdings, Inc.

Conifer Holdings, Inc.

Company to Host Conference Call at 8:30 AM ET on Wednesday, August 14, 2024

TROY, Mich., Aug. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Conifer Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNFR) (“Conifer” or the “Company”) today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights (compared to the prior year period)

  • Expense ratio improved 5.8 percentage points to 32.1%

  • Net investment income increased 11.2% over the prior year period to $1.5 million

  • Significant progress in planned gross written premium shift toward MGA model

Management Comments

Nick Petcoff, CEO of Conifer, commented, “We are pleased to report significant advances in our strategic transformation. Our main focus is shifting premium away from the traditional risk-bearing carrier revenue model to a more sustainable and scalable production-based revenue approach. This change reflects our commitment to aligning our business model with market demands by creating long-term value.”

Strategic Turn toward Non-Risk Bearing Revenue

Conifer saw significant progress in the second quarter of 2024 in its initiative to run commercial gross written premium through its wholly owned managing general agency (“MGA”), Conifer Insurance Services (CIS). This strategic shift away from a traditional risk-bearing revenue model to focus instead on a wholesale agency, production-based approach began in late 2023, and the Company expects 100% of future commercial gross written premium to flow through its MGA.

This approach is intended to optimize Conifer’s resources and will complement the Company’s shift to primarily focus on commission revenues within its MGA. Accordingly, Conifer anticipates that substantially all commercial lines business will be directly written by third-party insurers with A.M. Best ratings of A- or better by the end of the third quarter in 2024.

During the second quarter of 2024, Conifer continued advancing its plan to direct premium to capacity providers for coverage across multiple commercial lines of business. Furthermore, the transfer of cannabis premium to capacity providers has progressed at a steady pace, and the Company expects to ultimately shift all premium for this line of business to its capacity partners as well. The Company expects that this and other capacity initiatives will significantly boost the premiums placed by its agency segment, ultimately driving higher commission revenue over time.

The Company has continued to underwrite low-value homeowners business in Texas and the Midwest. As detailed in the Personal Lines results overview below, premium for the second quarter of 2024 increased 23.0% from the prior year period.

2024 Second Quarter Financial Results Overview

 

At and for the Three Months Ended June 30,

 

At and for the Six Months Ended June 30,

 

2024

 

2023

 

% Change

 

2024

 

2023

 

% Change

 

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

$

18,971

 

 

$

44,674

 

 

-57.5%

 

$

43,284

 

 

$

80,888

 

 

-46.5%

Net written premiums

 

13,247

 

 

 

29,328

 

 

-54.8%

 

 

28,638

 

 

 

47,670

 

 

-39.9%

Net earned premiums

 

16,666

 

 

 

23,183

 

 

-28.1%

 

 

33,553

 

 

 

45,135

 

 

-25.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

1,505

 

 

 

1,354

 

 

11.2%

 

 

3,057

 

 

 

2,661

 

 

14.9%

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

(118

)

 

 

 

 

**

 

 

(118

)

 

 

 

 

**

Change in fair value of equity investments

 

(196

)

 

 

(12

)

 

**

 

 

(153

)

 

 

682

 

 

**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders

 

(3,950

)

 

 

(4,739

)

 

 

 

 

(3,876

)

 

 

(3,738

)

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share, diluted

$

(0.32

)

 

$

(0.39

)

 

 

 

$

(0.32

)

 

$

(0.31

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted operating income (loss)*

 

(3,636

)

 

 

(4,727

)

 

 

 

 

(3,605

)

 

 

(4,420

)

 

 

Adjusted operating income (loss) per share*

$

(0.30

)

 

$

(0.39

)

 

 

 

$

(0.30

)

 

$

(0.36

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book value per common share outstanding

$

(0.10

)

 

$

1.38

 

 

 

 

$

(0.10

)

 

$

1.38

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted

 

12,222,881

 

 

 

12,220,331

 

 

 

 

 

12,222,881

 

 

 

12,218,102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio (1)

 

91.5

%

 

 

83.0

%

 

 

 

 

76.6

%

 

 

72.9

%

 

 

Expense ratio (2)

 

32.1

%

 

 

37.9

%

 

 

 

 

33.4

%

 

 

37.6

%

 

 

Combined ratio (3)

 

123.6

%

 

 

120.9

%

 

 

 

 

110.0

%

 

 

110.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* The “Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures” section of this release defines and reconciles data that are not based on generally accepted accounting principles.

** Percentage is not meaningful

(1) The loss ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of net losses and loss adjustment expenses to net earned premiums and other income from underwriting operations.

(2) The expense ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to net earned premiums and other income from underwriting operations.

(3) The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. A combined ratio over 100% indicates an underwriting loss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024 Second Quarter Gross Written Premium

Gross written premiums decreased 57.5% in the second quarter of 2024 to $19.0 million, compared to $44.7 million in the prior year period. This decrease reflects the Company’s continued progress toward its goal to reduce premium leverage on operating subsidiaries and focus on non-risk bearing revenue.

Commercial Lines Financial and Operational Review

Commercial Lines Financial Review

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

2024

 

2023

 

% Change

 

2024

 

2023

 

% Change

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

$

6,782

 

 

$

34,761

 

 

-80.5

%

 

$

19,544

 

 

$

63,736

 

 

-69.3

%

Net written premiums

 

4,285

 

 

 

20,485

 

 

-79.1

%

 

 

12,572

 

 

 

32,726

 

 

-61.6

%

Net earned premiums

 

8,681

 

 

 

17,487

 

 

-50.4

%

 

 

17,478

 

 

 

34,610

 

 

-49.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

79.4

%

 

 

77.5

%

 

 

 

 

77.9

%

 

 

69.5

%

 

 

Expense ratio

 

25.3

%

 

 

37.4

%

 

 

 

 

29.1

%

 

 

36.8

%

 

 

Combined ratio

 

104.7

%

 

 

114.9

%

 

 

 

 

107.0

%

 

 

106.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution to combined ratio from net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(favorable) adverse prior year development

 

23.6

%

 

 

5.0

%

 

 

 

 

12.0

%

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accident year combined ratio (1)

 

81.1

%

 

 

109.9

%

 

 

 

 

95.0

%

 

 

106.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) The accident year combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio, less changes in net ultimate loss estimates from prior accident year loss reserves. The accident year combined ratio provides management with an assessment of the specific policy year’s profitability and assists management in their evaluation of product pricing levels and quality of business written.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company’s commercial lines of business represented 35.7% of total gross written premium in the second quarter of 2024. As noted above, premium decreased considerably year over year in keeping with the strategic shift to a commission-based revenue model through Conifer’s managing general agency, CIS.

Personal Lines Financial and Operational Review

Personal Lines Financial Review

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2023

 

 

% Change

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2023

 

 

% Change

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

$

12,189

 

 

$

9,913

 

 

23.0

%

 

$

23,740

 

 

$

17,152

 

 

38.4

%

Net written premiums

 

8,962

 

 

 

8,843

 

 

1.3

%

 

 

16,066

 

 

 

14,944

 

 

7.5

%

Net earned premiums

 

7,985

 

 

 

5,696

 

 

40.2

%

 

 

16,075

 

 

 

10,525

 

 

52.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

104.6

%

 

 

100.1

%

 

 

 

 

75.2

%

 

 

84.1

%

 

 

Expense ratio

 

39.5

%

 

 

39.2

%

 

 

 

 

38.1

%

 

 

40.0

%

 

 

Combined ratio

 

144.1

%

 

 

139.3

%

 

 

 

 

113.3

%

 

 

124.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution to combined ratio from net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(favorable) adverse prior year development

 

9.3

%

 

 

-6.4

%

 

 

 

 

1.4

%

 

 

-7.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accident year combined ratio

 

134.8

%

 

 

145.7

%

 

 

 

 

111.9

%

 

 

131.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal lines, representing 64.3% of total gross written premium for the quarter. Personal lines gross written premium increased 23.0% from the prior year period to $12.2 million for the second quarter of 2024, led by growth in the Company’s low-value dwelling line of business in Texas and the Midwest. Seasonal spring storms significantly impacted our personal lines results for the quarter, mainly from the Oklahoma based business, which is in run-off. The run-off for that book is expected to be largely complete by the end of this year.

Combined Ratio Analysis

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

2024

 

2023

 

2024

 

2023

 

 

Underwriting ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

91.5

%

 

83.0

%

 

76.6

%

 

72.9

%

Expense ratio

32.1

%

 

37.9

%

 

33.4

%

 

37.6

%

Combined ratio

123.6

%

 

120.9

%

 

110.0

%

 

110.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution to combined ratio from net (favorable)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

adverse prior year development

16.8

%

 

2.2

%

 

6.9

%

 

-1.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accident year combined ratio

106.8

%

 

118.7

%

 

103.1

%

 

112.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income
Net investment income was $1.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $1.4 million in the prior year period.

Change in Fair Value of Equity Securities
During the quarter, the Company reported a loss from the change in fair value of equity investments of $196,000, compared to a $12,000 loss in the prior year period.

Net Income (Loss) allocable to common shareholders
The Company reported net loss allocable to common shareholders of $4.0 million, or $0.32 per share, for the second quarter of 2024.

Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)
In the second quarter of 2024, the Company reported an adjusted operating loss of $3.6 million, or $0.30 per share. See Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures.

Earnings Conference Call with Accompanying Slide Presentation
The Company will hold a conference call/webcast on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Investors, analysts, employees and the general public are invited to listen to the conference call via:

 

Webcast:

On the Event Calendar at IR.CNFRH.com

 

Conference Call:

844-868-8843 (domestic) or 412-317-6589 (international)

 

 

 

The webcast will be archived on the Conifer Holdings website and available for replay for at least one year.

About Conifer Holdings
Conifer Holdings, Inc. is a Michigan-based property and casualty holding company. Through its subsidiaries, Conifer offers specialty insurance coverage for both commercial and personal lines, marketing through independent agents in all 50 states. The Company is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol CNFR. Additional information is available on the Company’s website at www.ir.cnfrh.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events or our future financial or operating performance, and include Conifer’s expectations regarding premiums, earnings, its capital position, expansion, and growth strategies. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management’s good-faith belief and reasonable judgment based on current information. The forward-looking statements are qualified by important factors, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including those described in our form 10-K (“Item 1A Risk Factors”) filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024 and subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this report speaks only as of the date hereof or as of the date specified herein. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable laws or regulations.

Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures
Conifer prepares its public financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Statutory data is prepared in accordance with statutory accounting rules as defined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, and therefore is not reconciled to GAAP data.

We believe that investors’ understanding of Conifer’s performance is enhanced by our disclosure of adjusted operating income. Our method for calculating this measure may differ from that used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. We define adjusted operating income (loss), a non-GAAP measure, as net income (loss) excluding: 1) net realized investment gains and losses and 2) change in fair value of equity securities. We use adjusted 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.

Reconciliations of adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted operating income (loss) per share: 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

2024

 

2023

 

2024

 

2023

 

(dollar in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders

$

(3,950

)

 

$

(4,739

)

 

$

(3,876

)

 

$

(3,738

)

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

(118

)

 

 

 

 

 

(118

)

 

 

 

Change in fair value of equity securities, net of tax

 

(196

)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(153

)

 

 

682

 

Impact of income tax expense (benefit) from adjustments *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted operating income (loss)

$

(3,636

)

 

$

(4,727

)

 

$

(3,605

)

 

$

(4,420

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares, diluted

 

12,222,881

 

 

 

12,220,331

 

 

 

12,222,881

 

 

 

12,218,102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders

$

(0.32

)

 

$

(0.39

)

 

$

(0.32

)

 

$

(0.31

)

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

Change in fair value of equity securities

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

0.05

 

Impact of income tax expense (benefit) from adjustments *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted operating income (loss), per share

$

(0.30

)

 

$

(0.39

)

 

$

(0.30

)

 

$

(0.36

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conifer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

2024

 

2023

Assets

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

Investment securities:

 

 

 

 

Debt securities, at fair value (amortized cost of $132,889 and $135,370, respectively)

 

$

119,371

 

 

$

122,113

 

Equity securities, at fair value (cost of $1,844 and $2,385, respectively)

 

 

1,660

 

 

 

2,354

 

Short-term investments, at fair value

 

 

23,339

 

 

 

20,838

 

Total investments

 

 

144,370

 

 

 

145,305

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

9,697

 

 

 

11,125

 

Premiums and agents’ balances receivable, net

 

 

30,583

 

 

 

29,369

 

Receivable from Affiliate

 

 

1,174

 

 

 

1,047

 

Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses

 

 

74,358

 

 

 

70,807

 

Reinsurance recoverables on paid losses

 

 

8,614

 

 

 

12,619

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

 

13,494

 

 

 

28,908

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

 

4,606

 

 

 

6,285

 

Other assets

 

 

6,038

 

 

 

6,339

 

Total assets

 

$

292,934

 

 

$

311,804

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

$

174,786

 

 

$

174,612

 

Unearned premiums

 

 

44,820

 

 

 

65,150

 

Reinsurance premiums payable

 

 

1,408

 

 

 

246

 

Debt

 

 

24,832

 

 

 

25,061

 

Funds held under reinsurance agreements

 

 

23,602

 

 

 

24,550

 

Premiums payable to other insureds

 

 

19,299

 

 

 

13,986

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

5,352

 

 

 

5,310

 

Total liabilities

 

 

294,099

 

 

 

308,915

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, no par value (10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,000 issued and outstanding, respectively)

 

 

6,000

 

 

 

6,000

 

Common stock, no par value (100,000,000 shares authorized; 12,222,881 issued and outstanding, respectively)

 

 

98,170

 

 

 

98,100

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(90,559

)

 

 

(86,683

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(14,776

)

 

 

(14,528

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

(1,165

)

 

 

2,889

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

292,934

 

 

$

311,804

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conifer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

 

2024

 

2023

 

2024

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue and Other Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross earned premiums

 

$

29,381

 

 

$

36,013

 

 

$

63,613

 

 

$

70,307

 

Ceded earned premiums

 

 

(12,715

)

 

 

(12,830

)

 

 

(30,060

)

 

 

(25,172

)

Net earned premiums

 

 

16,666

 

 

 

23,183

 

 

 

33,553

 

 

 

45,135

 

Net investment income

 

 

1,505

 

 

 

1,354

 

 

 

3,057

 

 

 

2,661

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

 

(118

)

 

 

 

 

 

(118

)

 

 

 

Change in fair value of equity securities

 

 

(196

)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(153

)

 

 

682

 

Agency commission income

 

 

8,831

 

 

 

211

 

 

 

13,167

 

 

 

641

 

Other income

 

 

160

 

 

 

187

 

 

 

420

 

 

 

383

 

Total revenue and other income

 

 

26,848

 

 

 

24,923

 

 

 

49,926

 

 

 

49,502

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses, net

 

 

15,281

 

 

 

19,319

 

 

 

25,801

 

 

 

33,032

 

Policy acquisition costs

 

 

10,480

 

 

 

4,413

 

 

 

17,493

 

 

 

9,134

 

Operating expenses

 

 

4,256

 

 

 

5,114

 

 

 

8,751

 

 

 

9,393

 

Interest expense

 

 

869

 

 

 

820

 

 

 

1,746

 

 

 

1,506

 

Total expenses

 

 

30,886

 

 

 

29,666

 

 

 

53,791

 

 

 

53,065

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before equity earnings in Affiliate and income taxes

 

 

(4,038

)

 

 

(4,743

)

 

 

(3,865

)

 

 

(3,563

)

Equity earnings (loss) in Affiliate, net of tax

 

 

228

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

286

 

 

 

(175

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

(18

)

 

 

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

(3,792

)

 

 

(4,739

)

 

 

(3,561

)

 

 

(3,738

)

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

158

 

 

 

 

 

 

315

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders

 

 

(3,950

)

 

 

(4,739

)

 

 

(3,876

)

 

 

(3,738

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 basic and diluted

 

$

(0.32

)

 

$

(0.39

)

 

$

(0.32

)

 

$

(0.31

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 basic and diluted

 

 

12,222,881

 

 

 

12,220,331

 

 

 

12,222,881

 

 

 

12,218,102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Further Information:
Jessica Gulis, 248.559.0840
[email protected]



Source link

Leave a Reply