Universal Reports Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

Universal Insurance Holdings (NYSE: UVE) (the “Company” or “Universal”) reported fourth quarter and full year 2022 results.

“It was a tough year, but I’m proud of what our team accomplished despite the circumstances,” said Stephen J. Donaghy, Chief Executive Officer. “The Florida homeowners insurance market has faced significant challenges, but we remain committed to our home state and continue to write new and renewal business. We’re grateful to state officials for passing meaningful reforms at the recent special legislative session, including elimination of one-way attorney fees and assignment-of-benefits, shortening the claims filing deadline to one year and taking steps to reduce the competitiveness of Citizens, among other measures. It will take time for the reforms to benefit results, but we believe the legislature’s actions will restore the health of the market over the long term. Given our differentiated business model, solid balance sheet and strong reinsurer relationships, we’re uniquely positioned to succeed in the dynamic Florida landscape.”

* Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in the attached tables.

Summary Financial Results
($thousands, except per share data)	Three Months Ended December 31,												Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2022				2021				Change				2022				2021				Change
GAAP comparison
Total revenues	$	330,360			$	292,659			12.9	%			$	1,222,658			$	1,121,851			9.0	%
GAAP operating income (loss)	$	34,479			$	(63,907	)		NM				$	(20,638	)		$	29,051			NM
GAAP operating income (loss) margin		10.4	%			(21.8	) %		NM					(1.7	) %			2.6	%		NM
Net income (loss)	$	25,111			$	(48,125	)		NM				$	(22,257	)		$	20,407			NM
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.82			$	(1.54	)		NM				$	(0.72	)		$	0.65			NM
Annualized ROCE		36.6	%			(41.7	) %		NM					(6.2	) %			4.6	%		NM
Book value per share, end of period	$	9.47			$	13.76			(31.2	) %				9.47			$	13.76			(31.2	) %
Non-GAAP comparison1
Core revenue	$	326,352			$	293,132			11.3	%			$	1,235,455			$	1,119,991			10.3	%
Adjusted operating income (loss)	$	30,471			$	(63,434	)		NM				$	(7,841	)		$	27,191			NM
Adjusted operating income (loss) margin		9.3	%			(21.6	) %		NM					(0.6	) %			2.4	%		NM
Adjusted net income (loss)	$	22,087			$	(47,761	)		NM				$	(12,618	)		$	18,959			NM
Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.72			$	(1.53	)		NM				$	(0.41	)		$	0.61			NM
Annualized adjusted ROCE		23.1	%			(40.3	) %		NM					(3.0	) %			4.3	%		NM
Adjusted book value per share, end of period	$	12.89			$	14.26			(9.6	) %			$	12.89			$	14.26			(9.6	) %
Underwriting Summary
Premiums:
Premiums in force	$	1,856,339			$	1,679,821			10.5	%			$	1,856,339			$	1,679,821			10.5	%
Policies in force		848,856				943,593			(10.0	) %				848,856				943,593			(10.0	) %
Direct premiums written	$	416,101			$	399,327			4.2	%			$	1,845,786			$	1,671,252			10.4	%
Direct premiums earned	$	463,843			$	417,817			11.0	%			$	1,759,701			$	1,596,618			10.2	%
Ceded premiums earned	$	(171,973	)		$	(146,485	)		17.4	%			$	(631,075	)		$	(561,155	)		12.5	%
Ceded premium ratio		37.1	%			35.1	%		2.0 pts					35.9	%			35.1	%		0.8 pts
Net premiums earned	$	291,870			$	271,332			7.6	%			$	1,128,626			$	1,035,463			9.0	%
Net ratios:
Loss & LAE ratio		76.3	%			103.3	%		(27.0) pts					83.2	%			75.3	%		7.9 pts
Expense ratio		25.1	%			28.1	%		(3.0) pts					27.0	%			30.2	%		(3.2) pts
Combined ratio		101.4	%			131.4	%		(30.0) pts					110.2	%			105.5	%		4.7 pts
1 Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in the attached tables. Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per common share and core revenue exclude net realized gains (losses) on investments and net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities. Adjusted operating income excludes the items above and interest and amortization of debt issuance costs. Adjusted book value per share excludes accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes. Adjusted ROCE is calculated by dividing annualized adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders by average adjusted book value per share, with the denominator further excluding current period after-tax net realized gains (losses) on investments and net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities.

Net Income and Adjusted Net Income

Net income was $25.1 million, up from net loss of $48.1 million in the prior year quarter, and adjusted net income was $22.1 million, up from adjusted net loss of $47.8 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in adjusted net income mostly stems from lower net loss and expense ratios and higher net investment income and commission revenue.

Revenues

Overall revenue was $330.4 million, up 12.9% from the prior year quarter and core revenue was $326.4 million, up 11.3% from the prior year quarter. The increase in core revenue primarily stems from higher net premiums earned, net investment income and commission revenue.

Direct premiums written were $416.1 million, up 4.2% from the prior year quarter. The increase stems from 3.6% growth in Florida and 6.8% growth in other states. Overall growth reflects rate increases, partly offset by lower policies in force.

Direct premiums earned were $463.8 million, up 11.0% from the prior year quarter. The increase stems from rate-driven direct premiums written growth over the past twelve months.

The ceded premium ratio was 37.1%, up from 35.1%, in the prior year quarter. The increase primarily reflects reinstatement premiums associated with Hurricane Ian, higher reinsurance pricing and higher reinsurance costs associated with the increase in insured values, partly offset by direct premiums earned growth associated with primary rate increases and reinsurance savings associated with leveraging our self-insured captive to a greater degree than the prior year.

Net premiums earned were $291.9 million, up 7.6% from the prior year quarter. The increase is primarily attributable to higher direct premiums earned, partly offset by higher ceded premiums earned, as described above.

Net investment income was $10.4 million, up from $3.9 million in the prior year quarter. The increase primarily stems from higher fixed income reinvestment yields and higher yields on cash.

Commissions, policy fees and other revenue were $24.0 million, up 34.2% from the prior year quarter. The increase primarily reflects higher reinsurance brokerage commission revenue, which benefited from higher ceded premiums and the difference in our reinsurance program’s structure relative to the prior year quarter, partly offset by a decline in policy fees associated with lower policies in force.

Margins

The GAAP operating income margin was 10.4%, up from a GAAP operating loss margin of 21.8% in the prior year quarter. The adjusted operating income margin was 9.3%, up from an adjusted operating loss margin of 21.6% in the prior year quarter. The higher adjusted operating income margin primarily reflects a lower net combined ratio and higher net investment income and commission revenue, partly offset by lower policy fees.

The net loss ratio was 76.3%, down 27.0 points compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease primarily reflects a lower current accident year net loss ratio and lower adverse prior year reserve development ($17.9 million in the current year quarter, down from $36.5 million in the prior year quarter).

The net expense ratio was 25.1%, down 3.0 points from 28.1% in the prior year quarter. The reduction primarily reflects lower renewal commission rates paid to distribution partners.

The net combined ratio was 101.4%, down 30.0 points compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease reflects lower net loss and expense ratios, as described above.

Capital Deployment

During the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 186 thousand shares at an aggregate cost of $1.8 million. The Company’s current share repurchase authorization program has $6.2 million remaining as of December 31, 2022 and runs through December 15, 2024.

On February 9, 2023, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 16 cents per share of common stock, payable March 16, 2023 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 9, 2023.

Conference Call and Webcast

• Friday, February 24, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. ET
• Investors and other interested parties may listen to the call by accessing the online, real-time webcast at universalinsuranceholdings.com/investors or by registering in advance via teleconference at https://register.vevent.com/register/BI271bba0f21b746d8aafebbe6a6c51c5 .... Once registration is completed, participants will be provided with a dial-in number containing a personalized conference code to access the call. An online replay of the call will be available at universalinsuranceholdings.com/investors shortly after the investor call concludes.

About Universal

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UVE) is a holding company offering property and casualty insurance and value-added insurance services. We develop, market, and write insurance products for consumers predominantly in the personal residential homeowners lines of business and perform substantially all other insurance-related services for our primary insurance entities, including risk management, claims management and distribution. We sell insurance products through both our appointed independent agents and through our direct online distribution channels in the United States across 19 states (primarily Florida). Learn more at universalinsuranceholdings.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including core revenue, adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders and diluted adjusted earnings (loss) per common share, which exclude the impact of net realized gains (losses) on investments and net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities. Adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income margin exclude the impact of net realized gains (losses) on investments and net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities and interest and amortization of debt issuance costs. Adjusted common stockholders’ equity and adjusted book value per share exclude accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), net of taxes. Adjusted return on common equity excludes after-tax net realized gains (losses) on investments and net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities from the numerator and AOCI, net of taxes, and current period after-tax net realized gains (losses) on investments and net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities from the denominator. A “non-GAAP financial measure” is generally defined as a numerical measure of a company’s historical or future performance that excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments, so as to be different from the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). UVE management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are meaningful, as they allow investors to evaluate underlying revenue and profitability trends and enhance comparability across periods. When considered together with the GAAP financial measures, management believes these metrics provide information that is useful to investors in understanding period-over-period operating results separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on results in any particular period. UVE management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the ability of investors to analyze UVE’s business trends and to understand UVE’s operational performance. UVE’s management utilizes these non-GAAP financial measures as guides in long-term planning. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information regarding our key performance indicators, please refer to the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Key Performance Indicators” in our forthcoming Annual Report on Form 10-K for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will,” “plan,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Such statements may include commentary on plans, products and lines of business, marketing arrangements, reinsurance programs and other business developments and assumptions relating to the foregoing. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, including those risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and supplemented in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Future results could differ materially from those described, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For further information regarding risk factors that could affect the Company’s operations and future results, refer to the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (in thousands, except per share data)
		December 31,				December 31,
		2022				2021
ASSETS
Invested Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		$	1,014,626			$	1,040,455
Equity securities, at fair value			85,469				47,334
Investment real estate, net			5,711				5,891
Total invested assets			1,105,806				1,093,680
Cash and cash equivalents			388,706				250,508
Restricted cash and cash equivalents			2,635				2,635
Prepaid reinsurance premiums			282,427				240,993
Reinsurance recoverable			808,850				185,589
Premiums receivable, net			69,574				64,923
Property and equipment, net			51,404				53,682
Deferred policy acquisition costs			103,654				108,822
Goodwill			2,319				2,319
Other assets			74,779				52,990
TOTAL ASSETS		$	2,890,154			$	2,056,141
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		$	1,038,790			$	346,216
Unearned premiums			943,854				857,769
Advance premium			54,964				53,694
Reinsurance payable, net			384,504				188,662
Long-term debt, net			102,769				103,676
Other liabilities			77,377				76,422
Total liabilities			2,602,258				1,626,439
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Cumulative convertible preferred stock ($0.01 par value)2			—				—
Common stock ($0.01 par value)3			472				470
Treasury shares, at cost - 16,790 and 15,797			(238,758	)			(227,115	)
Additional paid-in capital			112,509				108,202
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes			(103,782	)			(15,568	)
Retained earnings			517,455				563,713
Total stockholders' equity			287,896				429,702
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		$	2,890,154			$	2,056,141
Notes:
2 Cumulative convertible preferred stock ($0.01 par value): Authorized - 1,000 shares; Issued - 10 and 10 shares; Outstanding - 10 and 10 shares; Minimum liquidation preference - $9.99 and $9.99 per share.
3 Common stock ($0.01 par value): Authorized - 55,000 shares; Issued - 47,179 and 47,018 shares; Outstanding - 30,389 and 31,221 shares.

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED) (in thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2022			2021					2022				2021
REVENUES
Net premiums earned		$	291,870		$	271,332				$	1,128,626			$	1,035,463
Net investment income			10,448			3,894					25,785				12,535
Net realized gains (losses) on sale of investments			723			535					348				5,892
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities			3,285			(1,008	)				(13,145	)			(4,032	)
Commission revenue			18,011			11,245					53,168				41,649
Policy fees			4,191			4,892					20,182				22,713
Other revenue			1,832			1,769					7,694				7,631
Total revenues			330,360			292,659					1,222,658				1,121,851
EXPENSES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses			222,545			280,440					938,399				779,205
Policy acquisition costs			50,827			55,880					214,259				226,167
Other operating expenses			22,509			20,246					90,638				87,428
Total operating costs and expenses			295,881			356,566					1,243,296				1,092,800
Interest and amortization of debt issuance costs			1,640			554					6,609				638
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)			32,839			(64,461	)				(27,247	)			28,413
Income tax expense (benefit)			7,728			(16,336	)				(4,990	)			8,006
NET INCOME (LOSS)		$	25,111		$	(48,125	)			$	(22,257	)		$	20,407

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SHARE AND PER SHARE INFORMATION (in thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended										Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,										December 31,
		2022				2021						2022				2021
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic			30,434				31,177						30,751				31,218
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted			30,535				31,177						30,751				31,307
Shares outstanding, end of period			30,389				31,221						30,389				31,221
Basic earnings (loss) per common share		$	0.83			$	(1.54	)				$	(0.72	)		$	0.65
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share		$	0.82			$	(1.54	)				$	(0.72	)		$	0.65
Cash dividend declared per common share		$	0.29			$	0.29					$	0.77			$	0.77
Book value per share, end of period		$	9.47			$	13.76					$	9.47			$	13.76
Annualized return on average common equity (ROCE)			36.6	%			(41.7	)%					(6.2	)%			4.6	%

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (in thousands, except for Policies In-Force data)
		Three Months Ended									Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,									December 31,
		2022				2021					2022				2021
Premiums
Direct premiums written - Florida		$	337,950			$	326,138				$	1,538,143			$	1,388,318
Direct premiums written - Other States			78,151				73,189					307,643				282,934
Direct premiums written - Total		$	416,101			$	399,327				$	1,845,786			$	1,671,252
Direct premiums earned		$	463,843			$	417,817				$	1,759,701			$	1,596,618
Net premiums earned		$	291,870			$	271,332				$	1,128,626			$	1,035,463
Underwriting Ratios - Net
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio			76.3	%			103.3	%				83.2	%			75.3	%
General and administrative expense ratio			25.1	%			28.1	%				27.0	%			30.2	%
Policy acquisition cost ratio			17.4	%			20.6	%				19.0	%			21.8	%
Other operating expense ratio			7.7	%			7.5	%				8.0	%			8.4	%
Combined ratio			101.4	%			131.4	%				110.2	%			105.5	%
Other Items
(Favorable)/Unfavorable prior year reserve development		$	17,900			$	36,467				$	24,980			$	54,450
Net loss & LAE ratio impact		6.1 pts				13.4 pts					2.2 pts				5.3 pts

		As of
		December 31,
		2022			2021
Policies in force
Florida			615,796			695,533
Other States			233,060			248,060
Total			848,856			943,593
Premiums in force
Florida		$	1,547,383		$	1,395,476
Other States			308,956			284,345
Total			1,856,339			1,679,821
Total Insured Value
Florida		$	201,237,145		$	203,062,948
Other States			121,005,995			117,835,486
Total			322,243,140			320,898,434

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (in thousands, except for per share data)
GAAP revenue to core revenue
	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,								December 31,
	2022			2021					2022				2021
GAAP revenue	$	330,360		$	292,659				$	1,222,658			$	1,121,851
less: Net realized gains (losses) on investments		723			535					348				5,892
less: Net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities		3,285			(1,008	)				(13,145	)			(4,032	)
Core revenue	$	326,352		$	293,132				$	1,235,455			$	1,119,991

GAAP operating income (loss) to adjusted operating income (loss)
	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,								December 31,
	2022			2021					2022				2021
GAAP income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	32,839		$	(64,461	)			$	(27,247	)		$	28,413
add: Interest and amortization of debt issuance costs		1,640			554					6,609				638
GAAP operating income (loss)		34,479			(63,907	)				(20,638	)			29,051
less: Net realized gains (losses) on investments		723			535					348				5,892
less: Net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities		3,285			(1,008	)				(13,145	)			(4,032	)
Adjusted operating income (loss)	$	30,471		$	(63,434	)			$	(7,841	)		$	27,191

GAAP operating income (loss) margin to adjusted operating income (loss) margin
	Three Months Ended									Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,									December 31,
	2022				2021					2022				2021
GAAP operating income (loss) (a)	$	34,479			$	(63,907	)			$	(20,638	)		$	29,051
GAAP revenue (b)		330,360				292,659					1,222,658				1,121,851
GAAP operating income (loss) margin (a÷b)		10.4	%			(21.8	)%				(1.7	)%			2.6	%
Adjusted operating income (loss) (c)		30,471				(63,434	)				(7,841	)			27,191
Core revenue (d)		326,352				293,132					1,235,455				1,119,991
Adjusted operating income (loss) margin (c÷d)		9.3	%			(21.6	)%				(0.6	)%			2.4	%

GAAP net income (loss) (NI) to adjusted NI (loss) available to common stockholders
	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,								December 31,
	2022			2021					2022				2021
GAAP NI (loss)	$	25,111		$	(48,125	)			$	(22,257	)		$	20,407
less: Preferred dividends		2			2					10				10
GAAP NI (loss) available to common stockholders (e)		25,109			(48,127	)				(22,267	)			20,397
less: Net realized gains (losses) on investments		723			535					348				5,892
less: Net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities		3,285			(1,008	)				(13,145	)			(4,032	)
add: Income tax effect on above adjustments		986			(107	)				(3,148	)			422
Adjusted NI (loss) available to common stockholders (f)	$	22,087		$	(47,761	)			$	(12,618	)		$	18,959
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding (g)		30,535			31,177					30,751				31,307
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (e÷g)	$	0.82		$	(1.54	)			$	(0.72	)		$	0.65
Diluted adjusted earnings (loss) per common share (f÷g)	$	0.72		$	(1.53	)			$	(0.41	)		$	0.61

GAAP stockholders’ equity to adjusted common stockholders’ equity
	As of
	December 31,					December 31,					December 31,
	2022					2021					2020
GAAP stockholders’ equity	$	287,896				$	429,702				$	449,262
less: Preferred equity		100					100					100
Common stockholders’ equity (h)		287,796					429,602					449,162
less: Accumulated other comprehensive (loss), net of taxes		(103,782	)				(15,568	)				3,343
Adjusted common stockholders’ equity (i)	$	391,578				$	445,170				$	445,819
Common shares outstanding (j)		30,389					31,221					31,137
Book value per common share (h÷j)	$	9.47				$	13.76				$	14.43
Adjusted book value per common share (i÷j)	$	12.89				$	14.26				$	14.32

GAAP return on common equity (ROCE) to adjusted ROCE
	Three Months Ended									Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,									December 31,
	2022				2021					2022				2021				2020
Actual or Annualized NI (loss) attributable to common stockholders (k)	$	100,436			$	(192,508	)			$	(22,267	)		$	20,397			$	19,095
Average common stockholders’ equity (l)		274,167				461,889					358,699				439,382				471,482
ROCE (k÷l)		36.6	%			(41.7	)%				(6.2	)%			4.6	%			4.0	%
Annualized adjusted NI (loss) attributable to common stockholders (m)	$	88,348			$	(191,044	)			$	(12,618	)		$	18,959			$	(29,008	)
Adjusted average common stockholders’ equity4 (n)		382,379				473,555					423,199				444,776				435,577
Adjusted ROCE (m÷n)		23.1	%			(40.3	)%				(3.0	)%			4.3	%			(6.7	)%
4 Adjusted average common stockholders’ equity excludes current period after-tax net realized gains (losses) on investments and net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230223005354/en/

The Universal Insurance Holdings Stock at the time of publication of the news with a raise of +1,70 % to 12,56USD on NYSE stock exchange (23. Februar 2023, 21:45 Uhr).