Press Release Details

LA JOLLA, Calif., Nov. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Palomar Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLMR) (“Palomar” or “Company”) reported net income of $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2021 as compared to a net loss of $15.7 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2020. Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ was $1.7 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2021 as compared to an adjusted net loss of $15.2 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2020. 

The Company reported net income of $29.2 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $8.1 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ was $34.2 million, or $1.31 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $10.1 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. 

Third Quarter 2021 Highlights  

• Gross written premiums increased by 47.9% to $152.3 million compared to $103.0 million in the third quarter of 2020 
• Net income of $0.2 million compared to a net loss of $15.7 million in the third quarter of 2020 
• Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ of $1.7 million compared to an adjusted net loss of $15.2 million in the third quarter of 2020 
• Total loss ratio of 44.0% compared to 97.7% in the third quarter of 2020 
• Catastrophe loss ratio⁽¹⁾ of 27.0% compared to 86.9% in the third quarter of 2020
• Combined ratio of 102.8% compared to 157.1% in the third quarter of 2020 
• Adjusted combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses⁽¹⁾ of 73.2%, compared to 68.9% in the third quarter of 2020 
• Annualized return on equity of 0.3%, compared to negative 17.0% in the third quarter of 2020  
• Annualized adjusted return on equity⁽¹⁾ of 1.8%, compared to negative 16.5% in the third quarter of 2020 

(1) See discussion of “Non-GAAP and Key Performance Indicators” below. 

“Our third quarter results demonstrated continued execution of Palomar’s commitment to building a market leading specialty insurer,” commented Mac Armstrong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The quarter’s results are highlighted by year-over-year gross written premium increases of 48% most notably in our surplus lines, or E&S operation, which delivered $41.4 million of gross written premium and 22% sequential growth.  Additionally, our core earthquake business grew at a healthy rate of 32% as our innovative products continued to capitalize on attractive market conditions. While our results reflect the impact of catastrophe losses from Hurricanes Ida and Nicholas as well as a single excess liability policy shock loss, we take solace in the fact that approximately 61% of the gross losses from these events came from discontinued lines of business and are non-recurring in nature. It is also worth noting those discontinued operations contributed 34% of our gross attritional losses in the quarter.

Mr. Armstrong added, “Importantly, we embarked upon several initiatives during the quarter that will translate into profitable growth into 2022 and beyond. One such example is our entrance into the fronting sector of the U.S. insurance market, where we are partnering with reinsurers, insurance carriers, and managing general agents to design customized insurance programs. Our PLMR-FRONT initiative provides us access and deeper reach into attractive markets, high leverage of our talent and capital, and generates recurring fee income. Beyond PLMR-FRONT, we launched new products and made several terrific additions to our team who will broaden our product suite and addressable market.”  
  
Underwriting Results 
Gross written premiums increased 47.9% to $152.3 million compared to $103.0 million in the third quarter of 2020, while net earned premiums increased 54.0% compared to the prior year’s third quarter. Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the third quarter were $28.5 million due to attritional losses of $11.0 million and catastrophe losses of $17.5 million. The third quarter catastrophe loss results include Hurricanes Ida and Nicholas, the PG&E excess liability loss, and were partially offset by favorable prior period development.

The loss ratio for the quarter was 44.0%, comprised of a catastrophe loss ratio of 27.0%⁽¹⁾ and an attritional loss ratio of 17.0%, compared to a loss ratio of 97.7% during the same period last year comprised of a catastrophe loss ratio of 86.9%⁽¹⁾ and an attritional loss ratio of 10.8%. Non-catastrophe losses increased mainly due to growth of lines of business subject to attritional losses such as Specialty Homeowners, Flood, and Inland Marine.

Underwriting loss⁽¹⁾ was approximately $1.8 million resulting in a combined ratio of 102.8% compared to underwriting loss of $24.0 million and a combined ratio of 157.1% during the same period last year. The Company’s adjusted combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses⁽¹⁾  was 73.2% in the third quarter compared to 68.9% during the same period last year.

Investment Results 
Net investment income increased by 4.6% to $2.2 million compared to $2.1 million in the prior year’s third quarter. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to a higher average balance of investments held during the three months ended September 30, 2021, offset by lower yields on invested assets. Funds are generally invested in high quality securities, including government agency, asset and mortgage-backed securities, municipal and corporate bonds with an average credit quality of “A2/A”. The weighted average duration of the fixed-maturity investment portfolio, including cash equivalents, was 4.04 years at September 30, 2021. Cash and invested assets totaled $467.0 million at September 30, 2021. During the current year third quarter, the Company recognized realized and unrealized losses of $0.3 million due to unrealized losses on equity securities as compared to realized and unrealized gains of $0.02 million in last year’s third quarter. 

Tax Rate 
The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was negative 101.6% compared to 28.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2020.  For both periods, the effective tax rate differed from the statutory rate primarily due to the tax impact of the permanent component of employee stock option exercises.

Stockholders’ Equity and Returns 
Stockholders' equity was $377.8 million at September 30, 2021, compared to $363.7 million at December 31, 2020. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company’s annualized return on equity was 0.3% compared to negative 17.0% for the same period last year while annualized adjusted return on equity was 1.8% compared to negative 16.5% for the same period last year. 

The Company did not repurchase any of its shares during the current quarter relating to its previously announced $40 million share purchase authorization. For the current year to date, the Company has repurchased approximately $15.8 million or 239,000 shares of its common stock.

Fourth quarter 2021 Outlook 
For the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company expects to achieve adjusted net income of $17.0 million to $18.5 million, excluding any losses from a catastrophe.

Conference Call 
As previously announced, Palomar will host a conference call November 4, 2021, to discuss its third quarter 2021 results at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-423-9813 (domestic) or 1-201-689-8573 (international) and asking for the Palomar Third Quarter 2021 Earnings Call. A telephonic replay will be available approximately two hours after the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921, or for international callers 1-412-317-6671 and providing the access code 13723673. The telephonic replay will be available until 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) on November 11, 2021. 

Interested investors and other parties may also listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by logging onto the investor relations section of the Company’s website at http://ir.plmr.com/. The online replay will remain available for a limited time beginning immediately following the call. 

About Palomar Holdings, Inc.

Palomar Holdings, Inc. is the holding company of subsidiaries Palomar Specialty Insurance Company (“PSIC”), Palomar Specialty Reinsurance Company Bermuda Ltd., Palomar Insurance Agency, Inc. and Palomar Excess and Surplus Insurance Company. Palomar is an innovative insurer that focuses on the provision of specialty insurance for residential and commercial clients. Palomar’s underwriting and analytical expertise allow it to concentrate on certain markets that it believes are underserved by other insurance companies, such as the markets for earthquake, hurricane and flood insurance. Palomar’s insurance subsidiaries, Palomar Specialty Insurance Company, Palomar Specialty Reinsurance Company Bermuda Ltd., and Palomar Excess and Surplus Insurance Company, have a financial strength rating of “A-” (Excellent) from A.M. Best.

To learn more, visit PLMR.com

Follow Palomar on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter: @PLMRInsurance

Non-GAAP and Key Performance Indicators

Palomar discusses certain key performance indicators, described below, which provide useful information about the Company’s business and the operational factors underlying the Company’s financial performance.

Underwriting revenue is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as total revenue, excluding net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of total revenue calculated in accordance with GAAP to underwriting revenue.

Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as income before income taxes excluding net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of income before income taxes calculated in accordance with GAAP to underwriting income.

Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as net income excluding the impact of certain items that may not be indicative of underlying business trends, operating results, or future outlook, net of tax impact. Palomar calculates the tax impact only on adjustments which would be included in calculating the Company’s income tax expense using the estimated tax rate at which the company received a deduction for these adjustments. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of net income calculated in accordance with GAAP to adjusted net income.

Return on equity is net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period.

Adjusted return on equity is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as adjusted net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of return on equity calculated using unadjusted GAAP numbers to adjusted return on equity.

Loss ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses, to net earned premiums.

Expense ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the ratio of acquisition and other underwriting expenses, net of commission and other income to net earned premiums.

Combined ratio is defined as the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100% generally indicates an underwriting profit. A combined ratio over 100% generally indicates an underwriting loss.

Adjusted combined ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio calculated excluding the impact of certain items that may not be indicative of underlying business trends, operating results, or future outlook. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of combined ratio calculated using unadjusted GAAP numbers to adjusted combined ratio.

Diluted adjusted earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as adjusted net income divided by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period, reflecting the dilution which could occur if equity-based awards are converted into common share equivalents as calculated using the treasury stock method. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of diluted earnings per share calculated in accordance with GAAP to diluted adjusted earnings per share.

Catastrophe loss ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as the ratio of catastrophe losses to net earned premiums. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of loss ratio calculated using unadjusted GAAP numbers to catastrophe loss ratio.

Adjusted combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as adjusted combined ratio excluding the impact of catastrophe losses.  See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of combined ratio calculated using unadjusted GAAP numbers to adjusted combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses.

Tangible stockholders’ equity is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as stockholders’ equity less intangible assets. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of stockholders’ equity calculated in accordance with GAAP to tangible stockholders’ equity.

Safe Harbor Statement
Palomar cautions you that statements contained in this press release may regard matters that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the company’s current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Palomar that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business. The forward-looking statements are typically, but not always, identified through use of the words "believe," "expect," "enable," "may," "will," "could," "intends," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "predict," "probable," "potential," "possible," "should," "continue," and other words of similar meaning. Actual results could differ materially from the expectations contained in forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including unexpected expenditures and costs, unexpected results or delays in development and regulatory review, regulatory approval requirements, the frequency and severity of adverse events and competitive conditions. These and other factors that may result in differences are discussed in greater detail in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Contact

Media Inquiries
Bill Bold
1-619-890-5972
bbold@plmr.com 

Investor Relations
Jamie Lillis
1-203-428-3223
investors@plmr.com   

Source: Palomar Holdings, Inc.

Summary of Operating Results

The following table summarizes the Company’s results for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

(1) - Indicates Non-GAAP financial measure- see above for definition of Non-GAAP financial measures and see below for reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The following table summarizes the Company’s results for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

(1) - Indicates Non-GAAP financial measure- see above for definition of Non-GAAP financial measures and see below for reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Condensed Consolidated Balance sheets

 

Palomar Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
(in thousands, except shares and par value data)

Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

 

Palomar Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Underwriting Segment Data

The Company has a single reportable segment and offers primarily earthquake, wind, inland marine, and flood insurance products. Gross written premiums (GWP) by product and location are presented below:

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2021, PSIC accounted for $110.9 million or approximately 72.8% of our gross written premiums and PESIC accounted for $41.4 million or approximately 27.2% of our gross written premiums.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, PSIC accounted for $286.0 million or approximately 74.2% of our gross written premiums and PESIC accounted for $99.3 million or approximately 25.8% of our gross written premiums.

Gross and net earned premiums

The table below shows the amount of premiums the Company earned on a gross and net basis and the Company’s net earned premiums as a percentage of gross earned premiums for each period presented:

Loss detail

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Non-GAAP financial measures discussed above reconcile to their most comparable GAAP measures as follows:

Underwriting revenue

Underwriting income (loss)

Adjusted net income (loss)

Annualized adjusted return on equity

Adjusted combined ratio

Diluted adjusted earnings per share

Catastrophe loss ratio

Adjusted combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses

Tangible Stockholders’ equity

 

Source: Palomar Holdings, Inc