Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 – American Overseas Group Limited Announces Net Loss Of $12.1 Million and Operating Loss of $5.5 Million For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 – American Overseas Group Limited Announces Net Loss Of $12.1 Million and Operating Loss of $5.5 Million For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Sept. 26, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Overseas Group Limited (BSX: AOREF.BH) (Pink Sheets:AOREF) (“AOG” or the “Company”) today reported consolidated net loss available to common shareholders of $12.1 million, or $273.96 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2016.  This compares to consolidated net income available to common shareholders of $7.0 million, or $165.62 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

The results for the six months ended June 30, 2016 were impacted by unrealized losses on credit derivatives of $4.6 million, compared to an unrealized gain on credit derivatives of $15.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015.  Book value per share at June 30, 2016 was $1,437.27, a decline from the book value per share of $1,650.27 at December 31, 2015. 

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company had an operating loss of $5.5 million, or $124.84 per diluted share, compared to an operating loss of $9.4 million, or $220.97 per diluted share for six months ended June 30, 2015.  Operating income for the property and casualty segment in 2016 was $2.7 million, compared to the $1.0 million operating income in 2015 for this segment.  The financial guaranty segment had operating losses of $6.5 million for the first six months of 2016, largely driven by losses from the Company’s reinsurance of Puerto Rico-related credits.  This compares to financial guaranty operating losses of $8.0 million in the first six months of 2015.  Interest expense on debt of $1.8 million was $1.4 million lower for the first six months of 2016 as compared to the first six months of 2015, due to debt reduction.

Gross property and casualty premiums written, which are the primary driver of the Company’s fee income, were $223.1 million for 2016 compared to $195.3 million for 2015.  Fees earned by the Company’s management companies were $7.6 million for 2016 compared to $6.8 million for 2015 before intercompany consolidation eliminations with their regulated affiliates.  Net earned property and casualty premiums were $1.9 million for 2016 compared to $4.1 million for 2015.  The drop in net premiums earned is the result of the Company’s decision to deemphasize the retention of underwriting risk and shift its focus to a fee-based business within its property and casualty segment.  This contributed to the overall improvement for the property and casualty segment, from operating income of $1.0 million in 2015 to operating income of $2.7 million in 2016. 

The legacy financial guaranty portfolio of American Overseas Reinsurance Company Limited continues to run-off satisfactorily, notwithstanding loss reserve increases mainly due to the Company’s continued exposure to Puerto Rico credits.  The financial guaranty operating loss of $6.5 million in 2016 compares to an operating loss of $8.0 million in 2015.

Operating expenses of $9.1 million were $1.5 million higher in the first six months of 2016 as compared to the first six months of 2015.  This includes approximately $1 million of expenses associated with the closure of the Company’s captive management office in Bermuda.  The management of the Company’s offshore entities has been transitioned to an unrelated third party captive manager, to better align ongoing operating expenses with revenues.

As part of its ongoing capital management efforts, the Company will continue to redirect excess capital within the group to debt reduction unless other compelling opportunities present themselves.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements include, without limitation, the Company’s expectations respecting the volatility of its insured portfolio, losses, loss reserves and loss development, the adequacy and availability of its liquidity and capital resources, its current run off strategy, its strategy for writing other reinsurance businesses and its expense reduction measures.  These statements are based on current expectations and the current views of the economic and operating environment and are not guarantees of future performance.  A number of risks and uncertainties, including economic competitive conditions, could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements.  The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.  Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are: (i) the Company’s reviewing the results of our entire portfolio of policies. Management considers credit derivative policies as a normal extension of AORE’s financial guaranty business and reinsurance in substance.

Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company believes that the following non-GAAP financial measure included in this press release serve to supplement GAAP information and is meaningful to investors.

Operating income (loss):  The Company believes operating income (loss) is a useful measure because it measures income from operations, unaffected by non-operating items such as realized investment gains or losses.  Operating income (loss) is typically used by research analysts and rating agencies in their analysis of the Company.

Information About the Company

American Overseas Group Limited is an insurance holding company incorporated in Bermuda and a tax resident of the United Kingdom.  Its operating subsidiaries provide specialty property/casualty insurance, reinsurance and insurance management services.  More information can be found at www.aoreltd.com 

American Overseas Group Limited  
Consolidated Balance Sheets  
(unaudited)  
As at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015  
(dollars in thousands)  
                     
                     
          June 30, 2016     December 31, 2015    
Assets              
    Investments:               
      Fixed-maturity securities held as available for sale, at fair value   $   91,282       $   103,802      
    Equity investments held as available for sale, at fair value       6,338           6,856      
  Cash and cash equivalents       29,259           31,131      
  Restricted cash       52,301           51,403      
  Accrued investment income       194           203      
  Premiums receivable       71,158           61,877      
  Reinsurance balances receivable, net       306,052           277,439      
  Salvage and subrogation recoverable       2,208           1,214      
  Deferred policy acquisition costs       191           193      
  Intangible assets       4,800           4,800      
  Goodwill       33,050           33,050      
  Assets held in segregated accounts              
  Other assets       2,412           2,030      
    Total Assets   $   599,245       $   573,998      
                     
                     
Liabilities and Equity              
  Liabilities:              
    Loss and loss expense reserve   $   259,136       $   249,204      
    Unearned premiums       110,610           93,472      
    Ceded premium payable       75,667           64,380      
    Payable to general agents       1,506           1,194      
    Funds withheld       4,523           3,926      
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities       3,537           2,316      
    Redeemable preference shares: ($0.10 par value and $1,000 redemption value; authorized shares – 75,000;  issued and outstanding shares – 59,700 at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015)       9,963           9,787      
    Derivative liabilities       21,062           16,779      
    Notes payable       30,000           40,000      
    Non-owned interest in VIE       300           300      
    Interest payable       784           1,023      
    Fair value adjustment       18,199           19,355      
    Deferred tax liability       41           38      
    Total Liabilities       535,328         501,774      
                     
  Shareholders’ Equity:              
    Common shares       4,447         4,377      
    Additional paid-in capital       187,511         186,399      
    Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income       414         (2,214 )    
    Retained deficit       (134,508 )       (122,390 )    
    Total Shareholders’ Equity     57,864         66,171      
    Non-controlling interest of preferred shares of subsidiaries       6,053         6,053      
    Total Equity     63,917         72,224      
                     
    Total Liabilities and Equity   $   599,245       $   573,998      
                     
    See Notes to 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements available on American Overseas Group Ltd. Website at www.aoreltd.com     
                     

 

   
American Overseas Group Limited  
  Consolidated Statements of Operations  
  (unaudited)  
  For six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015  
  (dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)  
                           
                           
                    Six Months ended June 30,
 
                      2016       2015    
    Revenues              
                           
      Net premiums earned       $   2,466     $   4,174    
    Fee income           7,267         6,538    
                         
  Change in fair value of credit derivatives              
    Realized gains and other settlements           (103 )       251    
    Unrealized gains           (4,624 )       15,288    
                         
        Net change in fair value of credit derivatives           (4,727 )       15,539    
                         
    Net investment income           1,046         1,485    
    Net realized gains on investments           (1,899 )       49    
    Fair value adjustment           979         1,204    
    Other income           –         29    
                         
        Total revenues           5,132         29,018    
                         
  Expenses              
    Losses and loss adjustment expenses           6,393         7,887    
    Acquisition expenses           (195 )       850    
    Operating expenses           9,090         7,638    
    Amortization of intangible assets           –         1,119    
    Other expense           1,767         172    
      Interest expense           191         3,136    
                           
        Total expenses           17,246         20,802    
                           
                           
  Net income (loss) available to common shareholders       $    (12,114 )   $    8,216    
      Income tax expense           (4 )       (4 )  
                           
  Net income (loss) before dividends           (12,118 )       8,212    
      Dividends on preference shares           -          (1,170 )  
                           
                           
  Net income (loss) available to common shareholders       $    (12,118 )   $    7,042    
                           
     
  Net income (loss) per common share:              
  Basic           $   (273.96 )   $   166.65    
  Diluted             (273.96 )       165.62    
                         
  Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:              
  Basic               44,233         42,256    
  Diluted             44,233         42,518    
 
  See Notes to 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements available on American Overseas Group Ltd. Website at www.aoreltd.com   
 

 

AMERICAN OVERSEAS GROUP LTD.   
     
NET INCOME AND OPERATING INCOME BY SEGMENT   
                                       
(dollars in thousands) June 30, 2016  
  Net income
available to
common
shareholders
 Net realized loss 
on sales of
investments
  Net change in
fair value of credit
derivatives
  Fair value
adjustments
  Amortization of
intangibles
Operating income  
Property and casualty:              
 
Net premiums earned $   1,948         $   1,948    
Losses and loss adjustment expenses     (1,596 )             (1,596 )  
Acquisition expenses     (515 )             (515 )  
Fee income     7,267         7,267    
Operating expenses     (4,378 )       (4,378 )  
Amortization expense     –         –       –    
Income tax     (4 )             (4 )  
Property and casualty     2,722       –       –       –       –       2,722    
                –    
Financial guaranty:  
 
Net premiums earned     518         5,235         5,753    
Net change in fair value of credit derivatives     (4,727 )       4,624           (103 )  
Losses and loss adjustment expenses     (4,797 )         (2,143 )       (6,940 )  
Acquisition expenses     709           (2,040 )       (1,331 )  
Operating expenses     (3,859 )             (3,859 )  
Financial guaranty     (12,156 )     –       4,624       1,052       –       (6,480 )  
              –    
Corporate and Investing    
       
Net investment income     1,046         1,046    
Net realized loss on sales of investments     (1,899 )     1,899             -     
Fair value adjustment     979         (979 )       -     
Operating expenses     (851 )       (851 )  
Interest expense     (1,767 )       (1,767 )  
Other expense, net of other income     (192 )             (192 )  
Corporate and investing     (2,684 )     1,899       -        (979 )     -        (1,764 )  
 
Group total $   (12,118 ) $   1,899   $   4,624   $   73   $   -    $   (5,522 )  
 
               
AMERICAN OVERSEAS GROUP LTD.           
               
NET INCOME AND OPERATING INCOME BY SEGMENT           
               
               
(dollars in thousands) June 30, 2015  
  Net income
available to
common
 shareholders 
Net realized loss
on sales of
investments
Net change in
 fair value of credit
derivatives
Fair value
 adjustments 
Amortization of
intangibles
 Operating income   
Property and casualty:              
               
Net premiums earned $   4,112           $   4,112    
Losses and loss adjustment expenses     (4,661 )             (4,661 )  
Acquisition expenses     (859 )             (859 )  
Fee income     6,538               6,538    
Operating expenses     (4,081 )             (4,081 )  
Amortization expense     (1,119 )           1,119       -     
Income tax     (4 )             (4 )  
Property and casualty     (74 )     –       –       –       1,119       1,045    
               
Financial guaranty:              
               
Net premiums earned     63           3,921         3,984    
Net change in fair value of credit derivatives     15,539         (15,288 )         251    
Losses and loss adjustment expenses     (3,226 )         (2,815 )       (6,041 )  
Acquisition expenses     9           (3,291 )       (3,282 )  
Operating expenses     (2,950 )             (2,950 )  
Financial guaranty     9,435       –       (15,288 )     (2,185 )     –       (8,038 )  
               
Corporate and Investing              
               
Net investment income     1,485               1,485    
Net realized gain on sales of investments     49       (49 )           -     
Fair value adjustment     1,204           (1,204 )       -     
Operating expenses     (608 )             (608 )  
Interest expense     (3,136 )             (3,136 )  
Other expense, net of other income     (143 )             (143 )  
Corporate and investing     (1,149 )     (49 )     -        (1,204 )     -        (2,402 )  
               
Group total $   8,212   $   (49 ) $   (15,288 ) $   (3,389 ) $   1,119   $   (9,395 )  
 

American Overseas Group Limited [email protected]