State Auto Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: STFC) today reported a
fourth quarter 2008 net loss of $0.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted
share, versus net income of $41.7 million or $1.01 per diluted
share for the fourth quarter of 2007. Net income from operations*
per diluted share for the fourth quarter 2008 was $0.53, versus
$0.99 for the same 2007 period.
STFC�s GAAP combined ratio for the quarter was 96.0 versus 85.2
for the fourth quarter of 2007. Catastrophe losses, including
favorable prior accident period development, reduced the loss ratio
by 3.7 points or $10.4 million during the fourth quarter this year,
compared to a reduction of 2.3 points or $5.9 million for 2007. Net
written premiums increased 16.1% for the quarter, including the
impact of previously announced reinsurance pooling changes.
For the year 2008, STFC had a net loss of $31.1 million, or
$0.78 per diluted share, compared to income of $119.1 million or
$2.86 per diluted share for 2007. The GAAP combined ratio for 2008
was 109.8, as compared to 92.8 for 2007. Catastrophe losses,
including favorable prior accident years� development, increased
the loss ratio by 13.9 points or $156.1 million during the year,
compared to an increase of 3.7 points or $37.1 million for the same
period in 2007. Non-catastrophe favorable reserve development
reduced the loss ratio by 1.9 points or $20.9 million, compared to
a reduction of 5.0 points or $50.1 million for the same period in
2007. Net written premiums increased 12.9% for the year, including
reinsurance pooling changes. STFC�s book value per share decreased
16.8% during the year to $19.23 per share as of December 31, 2008.
Return on stockholders� equity for the twelve months ended December
31, 2008 was negative 3.7% compared to 13.5% for the twelve months
ended December 31, 2007.
�STFC�s strong fourth quarter sales and overall profitable
underwriting results were not enough to compensate for the turmoil
in the world�s financial markets. Revenue and earnings were
significantly impacted by a non-cash write down charge of $29.7
million within our investment portfolio. Nonetheless, our portfolio
fared well relative to market indices and our fixed maturities
improved in value. New catastrophe activity in the quarter
accounted for only $0.6 million or 0.2 points to our loss ratio,�
said STFC Chairman, President and CEO Bob Restrepo.
�Coming out of 2008 we have reason to be optimistic,
notwithstanding the challenging competitive and economic climate.
Despite record catastrophe losses in the first three quarters, a
prolonged soft business insurance market and a sharp decline in the
financial markets, STFC produced an underwriting profit in the
fourth quarter and continued to grow. CustomFitSM, State Auto�s
popular personal auto product, continues to earn greater market
traction and our new technology has been enthusiastically embraced
by our agents. Our pricing technology is becoming state of the art
for both personal and commercial lines and is a key to generating
profitable business in all of our markets. Going into 2009 we have
a superior financial strength rating, high quality investment
portfolio and plenty of capital and liquidity,� said Restrepo.
�We are also making changes to our field structure and business
processes that will help us realize our goal of reducing our
combined ratio by as much as four points in the next three years
while securing our position as the independent agents� company of
choice. Several one-time major expenses in the fourth quarter
reflect that investment,� added Restrepo.
STFC did not repurchase any shares during the fourth quarter of
2008. Inception to date the company has repurchased 2,028,116
shares under the previously announced program that authorized
purchasing up to 4.0 million common shares through Dec. 31,
2009.
State Auto Financial Corporation, headquartered in Columbus,
Ohio, is a super regional property and casualty insurance holding
company. The company markets its personal and business insurance
products exclusively through independent insurance agencies in 33
states and is proud to be a Trusted Choice� company partner. STFC
stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, which
represents the top third of all NASDAQ listed companies.
The State Auto Insurance Companies are rated A+ (Superior) by
the A.M. Best Company. The State Auto Insurance Companies include
State Automobile Mutual, State Auto Property & Casualty, State
Auto National, State Auto Ohio, State Auto Wisconsin, State Auto
Florida, Milbank, Farmers Casualty, Meridian Security, Meridian
Citizens Mutual, Beacon National, Beacon Lloyds, Patrons Mutual and
Litchfield Mutual Fire. Additional information on State Auto
Financial Corporation and the State Auto Insurance Companies can be
found online at www.StateAuto.com.
*Net income (loss) from operations, a non-GAAP financial measure
which management believes is informative to Company management and
investors, differs from GAAP net income only by the exclusion of
realized capital gains and (losses), net of applicable taxes, on
investment activity for the periods being reported. For STFC, this
amounts to a loss of $0.55 per diluted share for the 2008 fourth
quarter and a loss of $0.61 for the year 2008, versus income of
$0.02 and $0.19, respectively for the same 2007 periods.
STFC has scheduled a conference call with interested investors
for Tuesday, February 17, 10:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss the
company�s fourth quarter 2008 performance. Live and archived
broadcasts of the call can be accessed on www.StateAuto.com. A
replay of the call can be heard beginning at noon, February 17, by
calling 1-888-566-0689. Supplemental schedules detailing the
company�s fourth quarter 2008 financial, sales and underwriting
results are made available on www.StateAuto.com prior to the
conference call.
Except for historical information, all other information in
this news release consists of forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected, anticipated or implied. The most significant
of these uncertainties are described in State Auto Financial's Form
10-K and Form 10-Q reports and exhibits to those reports, and
include (but are not limited to) legislative changes at both the
state and federal level, state and federal regulatory rule making
promulgations and adjudications, class action litigation involving
the insurance industry and judicial decisions affecting claims,
policy coverages and the general costs of doing business, the
impact of competition on products and pricing, inflation in the
costs of the products and services insurance pays for, product
development, geographic spread of risk, weather and weather-related
events, and other types of catastrophic events. State Auto
Financial undertakes no obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements.
STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited) � � � Three
Months Ended Year Ended December 31 December 31 (In millions,
except per share amounts)
2008 2007
2008 2007 � Net premiums written $ 281.2
� $ 242.3 $ 1,204.9 � (B) $ 1,019.8 � Earned premiums 285.0 254.3
1,126.0 1,011.6 Net investment income 19.7 21.7 87.4 84.7 Net
realized gain (loss) on investments (32.7 ) 1.0 (36.4 ) 12.1 Other
income � 1.3 � � 1.3 � 4.9 � � 5.0 Total revenue � 273.3 � � 278.3
� 1,181.9 � � 1,113.4 � Income (loss) before federal income taxes
(5.7 ) 57.0 (75.1 ) 155.3 � Federal income tax expense (benefit) �
(5.1 ) � 15.3 � (44.0 ) � 36.2 Net income (loss) $ (0.6 ) $ 41.7 $
(31.1 ) $ 119.1 � Earnings (loss) per share: - basic $ (0.02 ) $
1.02 $ (0.78 ) $ 2.90 - diluted $ (0.02 ) $ 1.01 $ (0.78 ) $ 2.86 �
Earnings (loss) per share from operations (A): - basic $ 0.53 $
1.00 $ (0.17 ) $ 2.71 - diluted $ 0.53 $ 0.99 $ (0.17 ) $ 2.67 �
Weighted average shares outstanding: - basic 39.5 40.8 39.7 41.0 -
diluted 39.5 41.3 39.7 41.6 � Book value per share $ 19.23 $ 23.10
� Dividends paid per share $ 0.15 $ 0.15 $ 0.60 $ 0.50 � Total
shares outstanding 39.6 40.5 � GAAP ratios: Loss and LAE ratio 57.8
48.3 75.2 58.4 Expense ratio � 38.2 � � 36.9 � 34.6 � � 34.4
Combined ratio � 96.0 � � 85.2 � 109.8 � � 92.8 � Reconciliation of
non-GAAP financial measure: (A) Net income (loss) from operations:
Net income (loss) $ (0.6 ) $ 41.7 $ (31.1 ) $ 119.1
Less net realized gain (loss) on
investments, less applicable federal income taxes
� (21.7 ) � 0.7 � (24.1 ) � 7.9 Net income (loss) from operations $
21.1 � $ 41.0 $ (7.0 ) $ 111.2 �
�
(B)
�
Net premiums written for the year
ended December 31, 2008, includes $53.6 million of unearned
premiums transferred to STFC in connection with the addition of The
Patrons Group, Beacon National and SAMMI to the State Auto Pool,
effective January 1, 2008.
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