Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. Reports 2023 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE: KNSL) reported net income of $103.4 million, $4.43 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $67.2 million, $2.90 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2022. Net income was $308.1 million, $13.22 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $159.1 million, $6.88 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2022. For both the fourth quarters of 2023 and 2022, the impact on net income related to catastrophes was negligible. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, net income included after-tax catastrophe losses of $3.6 million and $21.0 million, respectively.

Net operating earnings⁽¹⁾ were $90.3 million, $3.87 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $60.3 million, $2.60 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2022. Net operating earnings⁽¹⁾ were $291.4 million, $12.50 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $180.4 million, $7.80 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Highlights for the fourth quarter of 2023 included:

• Net income increased by 53.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2022

• Net operating earnings⁽¹⁾ of $90.3 million increased by 49.6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2022

• Gross written premiums increased by 33.8% to $395.2 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2022

• Net investment income increased by 71.2% to $30.4 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2022

• Underwriting income⁽²⁾ was $84.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, resulting in a combined ratio⁽⁵⁾ of 72.1%

Highlights for the full year of 2023 included:

• Net income increased by 93.6% compared to the full year of 2022

• Net operating earnings⁽¹⁾ of $291.4 million increased by 61.6% compared to the full year of 2022

• Gross written premiums increased by 42.3% to $1.6 billion compared to the full year of 2022

• Net investment income increased by 99.6% to $102.3 million compared to the full year of 2022

• Underwriting income⁽²⁾ was $270.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, resulting in a combined⁽⁵⁾ ratio of 75.4%

• Operating return on equity⁽⁷⁾ was 31.8% for the year ended December 31, 2023

"We generated record growth and profitability in 2023 by executing our business plan and capitalizing on favorable E&S market conditions. These results demonstrate our ability to deliver exceptional shareholder returns as we continue to focus on disciplined underwriting and technology-enabled expense management. We are confident that the execution of our differentiated strategy provides an enduring competitive advantage," said Chief Executive Officer, Michael P. Kehoe.

Results of Operations

Underwriting Results

Gross written premiums were $395.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $295.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of 33.8%. Gross written premiums were $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of 42.3%. Growth in gross written premiums during the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023 over the same periods last year reflected strong submission flow from brokers and a favorable pricing environment.

Underwriting income⁽²⁾ was $84.8 million, resulting in a combined ratio of 72.1%, for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $59.5 million, and a combined ratio of 73.1% for the same period last year. The increase in underwriting income⁽²⁾ for the fourth quarter of 2023 was due to a combination of premium growth, rate increases, favorable loss experience, lower net commissions and scale. Loss⁽³⁾ and expense⁽⁴⁾ ratios were 52.2% and 19.9%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 51.3% and 21.8% for the fourth quarter of 2022. Favorable development of reserves from prior accident years was $7.2 million, or 2.3 points, for the fourth quarter of 2023, and $7.0 million, or 3.2 points, for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Underwriting income⁽²⁾ was $270.4 million, resulting in a combined ratio of 75.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $175.5 million, and a combined ratio of 78.5% for the prior year. The increase in underwriting income⁽²⁾ for the year ended December 31, 2023 was due to a combination of premium growth, rate increases, favorable loss experience and lower net commissions. Loss⁽³⁾ and expense⁽⁴⁾ ratios were 54.6% and 20.8%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 56.3% and 22.2%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022. The loss ratios included current accident year catastrophe losses of $4.6 million, or 0.4 points, for the year ended December 31, 2023 and $26.6 million, or 3.3 points, for the year ended December 31, 2022. Favorable development of reserves from prior accident years was $35.8 million, or 3.2 points, for the year ended December 31, 2023 and $35.9 million, or 4.4 points, for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Summary of Operating Results

The Company’s operating results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:

	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
	2023				2022				2023				2022
	($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums	$	395,216			$	295,467			$	1,568,815			$	1,102,092
Ceded written premiums		(88,937	)			(53,397	)			(304,185	)			(165,282	)
Net written premiums	$	306,279			$	242,070			$	1,264,630			$	936,810
Net earned premiums	$	296,831			$	216,140			$	1,072,537			$	794,119
Fee income		6,998				5,241				27,026				19,604
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		158,591				113,580				600,219				457,913
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		60,403				48,297				228,970				180,322
Underwriting income(2)	$	84,835			$	59,504			$	270,374			$	175,488
Loss ratio(3)		52.2	%			51.3	%			54.6	%			56.3	%
Expense ratio(4)		19.9	%			21.8	%			20.8	%			22.2	%
Combined ratio(5)		72.1	%			73.1	%			75.4	%			78.5	%
Annualized return on equity(6)		41.1	%			39.4	%			33.6	%			22.0	%
Annualized operating return on equity(7)		35.9	%			35.4	%			31.8	%			25.0	%

(1)		Net operating earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure. See discussion of "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.
(2)		Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure. See discussion of "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.
(3)		Loss ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses to the sum of net earned premiums and fee income. Prior periods have been revised to conform to the current period's presentation.
(4)		Expense ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the ratio of underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses to the sum of net earned premiums and fee income. Prior periods have been revised to conform to the current period's presentation.
(5)		The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and expense ratio as presented. Calculations of each component may not add due to rounding. Prior periods have been revised to conform to the current period's presentation.
(6)		Annualized return on equity is net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period.
(7)		Annualized operating return on equity is net operating earnings (a non-GAAP financial measure) expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period.

The following tables summarize losses incurred for the current accident year and the development of prior accident years for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

	Three Months Ended December 31, 2023							Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
	Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses				% of Sum of Earned Premiums and Fee Income			Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses				% of Sum of Earned Premiums and Fee Income
Loss ratio:	($ in thousands)
Current accident year	$	165,351			54.4	%		$	120,212			54.3	%
Current accident year - catastrophe losses		407			0.1	%			405			0.2	%
Effect of prior accident year development		(7,167	)		(2.3	)%			(7,037	)		(3.2	)%
Total	$	158,591			52.2	%		$	113,580			51.3	%

	Year Ended December 31, 2023							Year Ended December 31, 2022
	Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses				% of Sum of Earned Premiums and Fee Income			Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses				% of Sum of Earned Premiums and Fee Income
Loss ratio:	($ in thousands)
Current accident year	$	631,407			57.4	%		$	467,182			57.4	%
Current accident year - catastrophe losses		4,586			0.4	%			26,618			3.3	%
Effect of prior accident year development		(35,774	)		(3.2	)%			(35,887	)		(4.4	)%
Total	$	600,219			54.6	%		$	457,913			56.3	%

Investment Results

Net investment income was $30.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $17.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of 71.2%. Net investment income was $102.3 million for the full year of 2023 compared to $51.3 million for the full year of 2022, and increase of 99.6%. These increases were driven by growth in the Company's investment portfolio generated primarily from the investment of strong operating cash flows since December 31, 2022 and higher interest rates relative to the prior year periods. Net operating cash flows were $859.8 million for the full year of 2023 compared to $557.8 million for the full year of 2022, an increase of 54.1%. The Company’s investment portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, had a gross investment return⁽⁸⁾ of 4.0% for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 3.0% for the year ended December 31, 2022. Funds are generally invested conservatively in high quality securities, including government agency, asset- and mortgage-backed securities, and municipal and corporate bonds with an average credit quality of "AA-." The weighted average duration of the fixed-maturity investment portfolio, including cash equivalents, was 2.8 years and 3.5 years at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Cash and invested assets totaled $3.1 billion at December 31, 2023 compared to $2.2 billion at December 31, 2022.

(8)

Gross investment return is investment income from fixed-maturity and equity securities (and short-term investments, if any), before any deductions for fees and expenses, expressed as a percentage of average beginning and ending book values of those investments during the period.

Other

The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 19.8%. The effective tax rate was lower than the federal statutory rate primarily due to the tax benefits from stock-based compensation and tax-exempt investment income.

Stockholders' equity was $1.1 billion at December 31, 2023, compared to $745.4 million at December 31, 2022. Book value per share was $46.88 at December 31, 2023 compared to $32.28 at December 31, 2022. Operating return on equity was 31.8% for the full year of 2023, an increase from 25.0% for the full year of 2022. This increase was primarily due to continued profitable growth from favorable E&S market conditions and rate increases.

Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, the Company reclassified policy fees to fee income and modified the definition of the loss and expense ratios to include fee income in the denominator of each ratio. Historically, these fees were presented as a reduction to underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses. The Company has reclassified prior periods' results to conform to the current period's presentation.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Net Operating Earnings

Net operating earnings is defined as net income excluding the effects of the change in the fair value of equity securities, after taxes, net realized investment gains and losses, after taxes, and the change in allowance for credit losses on investments, after taxes. Management believes the exclusion of these items provides a useful comparison of the Company's underlying business performance from period to period. Net operating earnings and percentages or calculations using net operating earnings (e.g., diluted operating earnings per share and annualized operating return on equity) are non-GAAP financial measures. Net operating earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and other companies may define net operating earnings differently.

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, net income and diluted earnings per share reconcile to net operating earnings and diluted operating earnings per share as follows:

		Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
		($ in thousands, except per share data)
Net operating earnings:
Net income		$	103,387			$	67,249			$	308,093			$	159,114
Adjustments:
Change in the fair value of equity securities, before taxes			(11,481	)			(9,476	)			(15,277	)			27,723
Income tax expense (benefit) (1)			2,411				1,990				3,208				(5,822	)
Change in fair value of equity securities, after taxes			(9,070	)			(7,486	)			(12,069	)			21,901
Net realized investment (gains) losses, before taxes			(5,127	)			344				(6,040	)			(1,191	)
Income tax expense (benefit) (1)			1,077				(72	)			1,268				250
Net realized investment (gains) losses, after taxes			(4,050	)			272				(4,772	)			(941	)
Change in allowance for credit losses on investments, before taxes			(12	)			366				187				366
Income tax (benefit) expense (1)			3				(77	)			(39	)			(77	)
Change in allowance for credit losses on investments, after taxes			(9	)			289				148				289
Net operating earnings		$	90,258			$	60,324			$	291,400			$	180,363
Diluted operating earnings per share:
Diluted earnings per share		$	4.43			$	2.90			$	13.22			$	6.88
Change in fair value of equity securities, after taxes, per share			(0.39	)			(0.32	)			(0.52	)			0.95
Net realized investment (gains) losses, after taxes, per share			(0.17	)			0.01				(0.20	)			(0.04	)
Change in allowance for credit losses on investments, after taxes, per share			—				0.01				0.01				0.01
Diluted operating earnings per share(2)		$	3.87			$	2.60			$	12.50			$	7.80
Operating return on equity:
Average equity(3)		$	1,005,297			$	682,452			$	916,141			$	722,392
Annualized return on equity(4)			41.1	%			39.4	%			33.6	%			22.0	%
Annualized operating return on equity(5)			35.9	%			35.4	%			31.8	%			25.0	%

(1)		Income taxes on adjustments to reconcile net income to net operating earnings use a 21% effective tax rate.
(2)		Diluted operating earnings per share may not add due to rounding.
(3)		Average equity is computed by adding the total stockholders' equity as of the date indicated to the prior quarter-end or year-end total, as applicable, and dividing by two.
(4)		Annualized return on equity is net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period.
(5)		Annualized operating return on equity is net operating earnings expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period.

Underwriting Income

Underwriting income is defined as net income excluding net investment income, the change in the fair value of equity securities, net realized investment gains and losses, the change in allowance for credit losses on investments, interest expense, other expenses, other income and income tax expense. The Company uses underwriting income as an internal performance measure in the management of its operations because the Company believes it gives management and users of the Company's financial information useful insight into the Company's results of operations and underlying business performance. Underwriting income should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and other companies may define underwriting income differently.

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, net income reconciles to underwriting income as follows:

		Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
		(in thousands)
Net income		$	103,387			$	67,249			$	308,093			$	159,114
Income tax expense			26,634				16,901				75,924				36,450
Income before income taxes			130,021				84,150				384,017				195,564
Net investment income			(30,382	)			(17,742	)			(102,335	)			(51,282	)
Change in fair value of equity securities			(11,481	)			(9,476	)			(15,277	)			27,723
Net realized investment (gains) losses			(5,127	)			344				(6,040	)			(1,191	)
Change in allowance for credit losses on investments			(12	)			366				187				366
Interest expense			2,434				1,978				10,301				4,284
Other expenses (6)			(278	)			200				942				721
Other income			(340	)			(316	)			(1,421	)			(697	)
Underwriting income		$	84,835			$	59,504			$	270,374			$	175,488

(6)

Other expenses are corporate expenses not allocated to the Company's insurance operations.

Conference Call

Kinsale Capital Group will hold a conference call to discuss this press release on Friday, February 16, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). Members of the public may access the conference call by dialing [phone], conference ID# 3573726, or via the Internet by going to www.kinsalecapitalgroup.com and clicking on the "Investor Relations" link. A replay of the call will be available on the website until the close of business on March 15, 2024.

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 "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "believes," "seeks," "outlook," "future," "will," "would," "should," "could," "may," "can have," "prospects" 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: inadequate loss reserves to cover the Company's actual losses; inherent uncertainty of models resulting in actual losses that are materially different than the Company's estimates; adverse economic factors; a decline in the Company's financial strength rating; loss of one or more key executives; loss of a group of brokers that generate significant portions of the Company's business; failure of any of the loss limitations or exclusions the Company employs, or change in other claims or coverage issues; adverse performance of the Company's investment portfolio; adverse market conditions that affect its excess and surplus lines insurance operations; and other risks described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.

About Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. is a specialty insurance group headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, focusing on the excess and surplus lines market.

 

KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
		Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Revenues		(in thousands, except per share data)
Gross written premiums		$	395,216			$	295,467			$	1,568,815			$	1,102,092
Ceded written premiums			(88,937	)			(53,397	)			(304,185	)			(165,282	)
Net written premiums			306,279				242,070				1,264,630				936,810
Change in unearned premiums			(9,448	)			(25,930	)			(192,093	)			(142,691	)
Net earned premiums			296,831				216,140				1,072,537				794,119
Fee income			6,998				5,241				27,026				19,604
Net investment income			30,382				17,742				102,335				51,282
Change in fair value of equity securities			11,481				9,476				15,277				(27,723	)
Net realized investment gains (losses)			5,127				(344	)			6,040				1,191
Change in allowance for credit losses on investments			12				(366	)			(187	)			(366	)
Other income			340				316				1,421				697
Total revenues			351,171				248,205				1,224,449				838,804
Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses			158,591				113,580				600,219				457,913
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses			60,403				48,297				228,970				180,322
Interest expense			2,434				1,978				10,301				4,284
Other expenses			(278	)			200				942				721
Total expenses			221,150				164,055				840,432				643,240
Income before income taxes			130,021				84,150				384,017				195,564
Income tax expense			26,634				16,901				75,924				36,450
Net income			103,387				67,249				308,093				159,114
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments, net of taxes			60,410				12,421				40,301				(153,043	)
Total comprehensive income		$	163,797			$	79,670			$	348,394			$	6,071
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	4.48			$	2.94			$	13.37			$	6.97
Diluted		$	4.43			$	2.90			$	13.22			$	6.88
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic			23,071				22,909				23,045				22,815
Diluted			23,320				23,208				23,307				23,125

 

KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
		December 31, 2023			December 31, 2022
		(in thousands)
Assets
Investments:
Fixed-maturity securities at fair value		$	2,711,759		$	1,760,100
Equity securities at fair value			234,813			152,471
Real estate investments, net			14,791			76,387
Short-term investments			5,589			41,337
Total investments			2,966,952			2,030,295
Cash and cash equivalents			126,694			156,274
Investment income due and accrued			21,689			14,451
Premiums receivable, net			143,212			105,754
Reinsurance recoverables, net			247,836			220,454
Ceded unearned premiums			52,516			42,935
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net of ceding commissions			88,395			61,594
Indefinite-lived intangible assets			3,538			3,538
Deferred income tax asset, net			55,699			56,983
Other assets			66,443			54,844
Total assets		$	3,772,974		$	2,747,122
Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		$	1,692,875		$	1,238,402
Unearned premiums			701,351			499,677
Payable to reinsurers			47,582			32,024
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			44,922			31,361
Debt			183,846			195,747
Other liabilities			15,566			4,462
Total liabilities			2,686,142			2,001,673
Stockholders' equity			1,086,832			745,449
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	3,772,974		$	2,747,122

 

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The Kinsale Capital Group Stock at the time of publication of the news with a raise of +2,21 % to 406,2USD on Lang & Schwarz stock exchange (15. Februar 2024, 22:12 Uhr).