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Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.: Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2008 Financial Resu

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^{Published in Business and Finance on Friday, March 13th 2009 at 12:11 GMT, Last Modified on 2009-03-13 12:15:57 by Market Wire}  

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwire - March 13, 2009) - Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. ("the Company") (NYSE Alternext US: [ UVE ]), a vertically integrated insurance holding company, announced fourth-quarter 2008 net income of $7.2 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to $10.3 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2008, net income was $40.0 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, compared to $54.0 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, in the year ended 2007.

Fourth Quarter 2008 Results

UPCIC, the Company's wholly-owned regulated insurance subsidiary, saw continued growth in its policy count, servicing approximately 461,000 homeowners' and dwelling fire insurance policies as of December 31, 2008, up from 451,000 policies and 374,000 policies at September 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively. The increase in the number of policies in-force continues to be the result of heightened relationships with existing agents, an increase in new agents, a new web-based policy administration platform, and the disruption in the marketplace following the windstorm catastrophes in 2004 and 2005.

In-force premiums were approximately $518.2 million as of December 31, 2008, versus $504.5 million at December 31, 2007, while gross premiums written were $117.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, as compared to $117.4 million for the same period of 2007.

Despite growth in the number of homeowners' and dwelling fire insurance policies serviced by UPCIC during the 2008 fourth quarter, the Company experienced a decrease in net income in the current period primarily as a result of the effects of state mandated rate reductions and wind mitigation discounts, and increased losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred. Additionally, higher general and administrative expenses and decreased investment income contributed to reduced earnings in the current fourth-quarter versus the same period of last year.

As the Company has previously discussed, a rate decrease required by the Florida Legislature resulted in rate decreases averaging 11.1 percent statewide on homeowners' policies and 2.3 percent statewide on dwelling fire policies, and were integrated into UPCIC's rates on June 1, 2007. The effect of these rate decreases on existing policies and the corresponding premium decreases in direct written premium was fully recognized in UPCIC's policies by May 31, 2008. Also, rate decreases of 4.1 percent statewide for homeowners' policies and 0.2 percent statewide for dwelling fire policies were approved by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation ("OIR") and implemented with effective dates in January 2008 for the homeowners' program and March 2008 for the dwelling fire program. The effect of these rate decreases is flowing through UPCIC's book of business such that the full impact of the premium decreases on direct premium written should be realized by January 2009 for the homeowners' program and March 2009 for the dwelling fire program. These rate decreases have had an adverse effect on UPCIC's premium volume.

In addition, UPCIC implemented higher premium discounts in response to wind mitigation efforts by policyholders. Such discounts, which were required by the Florida Legislature and became effective on June 1, 2007, for new business, and August 1, 2007, for renewal business, have also had a significant effect on UPCIC's premium. As of December 31, 2007, 11.8 percent of UPCIC policyholders were receiving wind mitigation credits totaling $32.0 million, (a 6.4 percent reduction of in force premium), while 24.7 percent of UPCIC policyholders were receiving wind mitigation credits totaling $89.1 million, (a 17.3% reduction of in force premium), at December 31, 2008.

Net premiums earned increased 7.4 percent to $38.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, from $35.5 million in the 2007 fourth quarter, mainly related to an increase in direct premiums earned (net of previously discussed rate decreases and implementation of higher wind mitigation credits).

The Company's net investment income decreased 95.7 percent to $93 thousand in the 2008 fourth quarter, from $2.2 million for the same period in 2007, primarily the result of a lower interest rate environment during the 2008 period.

Commission revenue was $6.3 million in the 2008 fourth quarter, comparable to the level produced in the same period of 2007.

Other revenue increased 25.3 percent to $1.1 million in the 2008 fourth quarter, from $845,000 in the 2007 period, primarily attributable to growth in fees earned on new payment plans offered to policyholders by UPCIC.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, net losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) increased 25.7 percent to $27.5 million from $21.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. The net loss ratio, which is derived from net losses and LAE as a percentage of net earned premium, for the three-month period ended December 31, 2008, was 72.2 percent compared to 61.7 percent for the same period of 2007. The increase in the net loss ratio is primarily attributable to the increase in direct loss and LAE incurred outpacing the increase in direct earned premium in the 2008 period. Also, contributing to increased net losses and LAE in the 2008 fourth quarter were $3.0 million in additional losses related to Tropical Storm Fay.

Although total direct premiums earned increased 2.6 percent in the 2008 fourth quarter compared to the same quarter in 2007, the average premium per policy decreased significantly due to the previously described rate decreases and wind mitigation credits. At December 31, 2008, UPCIC was servicing approximately 461,000 homeowners' and dwelling fire insurance policies with in-force premiums of approximately $518.2 million, or an average of $1,125 per policy, while the amount of policies UPCIC was servicing at the comparable period of 2007 was approximately 374,000 with in-force premiums of approximately $504.5 million, or an average of $1,350. Consequently, as a result of increased net losses and LAE in connection with the servicing of additional policies, the direct loss and LAE ratio increased significantly for the 2008 period. Additionally, although the per unit price of reinsurance has decreased, total reinsurance costs are higher as UPCIC purchased additional coverage in 2008.

Fourth-quarter 2008 general and administrative expenses increased 21.6 percent to $6.0 million from $4.9 million in the 2007 fourth quarter. The net increase in general and administrative expenses relates to increased insurance expense, and to a lesser extent, increased salary and commission expense in the fourth quarter of 2008 as compared to the 2007 fourth quarter.

The Company's income taxes decreased 37.1 percent to $4.9 million, or 40.5 percent of pre-tax income, in the 2008 fourth quarter, from $7.8 million, or 43.0 percent of pre-tax income, for the same period of 2007. The decrease in income taxes is primarily due to lower pre-tax income in the 2008 period versus the same period in 2007, and certain expenses that were not allowed as a tax deductible expense for the three-month period ended December 31, 2007. The disallowance had the effect of increasing taxable income and, therefore, income taxes, during the 2007 period. There were no similar expenses disallowed for income tax purposes for the three-month period ended December 31, 2008.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, stockholders' equity increased to $101.6 million from $72.6 million at December 31, 2007, representing growth of 39.9 percent. As of December 31, 2008, UPCIC's statutory capital and surplus was $94.0 million versus $98.7 million at December 31, 2007. The decline in UPCIC's statutory capital relates to UPCIC's payment of $23.0 million in dividends to the Company during the year ended December 31, 2008.

Full-Year 2008 Results

In the year-ended 2008, gross premiums written increased 2.5 percent to $511.4 million from $498.7 million for the same period of 2007, primarily attributable to an increase in new business. In the year ended 2008, net premiums earned decreased 4.5 percent to $147.4 million from $154.4 million in the 2007 period, as a result of an increase in direct premiums earned (net of previously discussed rate decreases and implementation of higher wind mitigation credits) and a proportionally higher increase in ceded premiums earned, as UPCIC purchased additional coverage in the 2008 period as compared to the 2007 period.

Investment income decreased 64.3 percent to $3.7 million for the twelve-months of 2008 from $10.4 million for the same period in 2007, primarily the result of a lower interest rate environment during the 2008 period.

For the year ended 2008, commission revenue increased 20.7 percent to $26.8 million from $22.2 million in the same period of 2007 as a result of a greater amount of reinsurance commission sharing and an increase in the managing general agent's policy fee income.

Other revenue increased 222.3 percent to $4.7 million for the year ended 2008 from $1.5 million in the comparable period of 2007. The increase is a result of the reasons listed above.

Net losses and LAE increased 36.0 percent to $81.3 million for the year ended 2008 compared to $59.8 million in the same period of 2007, while the Company's net loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2008, was 55.2 percent compared to 38.7 percent for the same period in 2007. The increase in the net loss ratio is a result of the factors which are described in greater detail above.

For the year ended 2008, general and administrative expenses decreased 9.8 percent to $35.3 million from $39.2 million in the same period of 2007 as a result of several factors including an increase in ceding commissions due to greater ceded earned premiums, an increase in corporate insurance expense, a decrease in assessment expense due to increased collections of assessments from policyholders, a decrease in executive incentive compensation and an increase in net deferred policy acquisition costs.

Federal and state income taxes decreased 26.9 percent to $26.0 million, or 39.3 percent of pre-tax income, for the year ended 2008 from $35.5 million, or 39.7 percent of pre-tax income, for the same period of 2007. The decrease is primarily a result of the reasons listed above.

Other News

On February 24, 2009 UPCIC received approval for a premium rate increase for its homeowner's program within the State of Florida. The premium rate increase, which will average approximately 4.8 percent statewide, was approved by the OIR. Furthermore, on February 26, 2009, UPCIC was informed by the OIR that the effective dates for the premium rate increase are February 27, 2009 for new business and April 19, 2009 for renewal business.

Management Comments

Bradley I. Meier, president and chief executive officer, commented, "Universal's results for 2008 mark the fourth consecutive year of profitability for the Company. Although our earnings declined in 2008 as compared to 2007 as a result of state mandated rate decreases and wind mitigation credits across UPCIC's book of business, Universal Insurance Holdings grew its book value per share by 34 percent during 2008. The Company's profitability also afforded it the opportunity to repurchase over 800,000 shares of its common stock, while declaring 40 cents of cash dividends and distributing accrued dividends totaling 49 cents during the year."

Mr. Meier added, "The Company made significant progress on its plan to diversify beyond Florida. As announced previously, UPCIC began writing its first homeowners' policies in South Carolina in December, and it has been approved to write property and casualty insurance in North Carolina, Hawaii, and Georgia.

"We look forward to making further progress on these diversification opportunities in 2009, and we anticipate writing homeowners' insurance in North Carolina, Hawaii, and Georgia promptly following approval of our rates and forms in each state," concluded Mr. Meier.

About Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

The Company is a vertically integrated insurance holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the Company is currently engaged in insurance underwriting, distribution and claims. UPCIC, which generates revenue from the collection and investment of premiums, is one of the top five writers of homeowners' insurance policies in the state of Florida.

Readers should refer generally to reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), specifically the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 for a discussion of the risk factors that could affect its operations. Such factors include, without limitation, exposure to catastrophic losses; reliance on the Company's reinsurance program; underwriting performance on catastrophe and non-catastrophe risks; the ability to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; and competition and its effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships, the Company's financial stability rating, product pricing and revenues. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's web site at [ http://www.sec.gov ]. The Company disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this press release based on new information or otherwise.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that anticipate results based on our estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty. These statements are made subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.

These forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may be identified by their use of words like "plans," "seeks," "expects," "will," "should," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "believes," "likely," "targets" and other words with similar meanings. These statements may address, among other things, our strategy for growth, catastrophe exposure management, product development, investment results, regulatory approvals, market position, expenses, financial results, litigation and reserves. We believe that these statements are based on reasonable estimates, assumptions and plans. However, if the estimates, assumptions or plans underlying the forward-looking statements prove inaccurate or if other risks or uncertainties arise, actual results could differ materially from those communicated in these forward-looking statements.

 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) For the Years Fourth Fourth Ended December 31, Quarter Quarter 2008 2007 2008 2007 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ PREMIUMS EARNED AND OTHER REVENUES Direct premiums written $511,369,676 $498,748,778 $117,065,145 $117,430,588 Ceded premiums written (360,581,696) (358,405,016) (85,296,834) (86,557,427) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net premiums written 150,787,980 140,343,762 31,768,311 30,873,161 (Increase) decrease in net unearned premium (3,374,283) 14,074,690 6,305,248 4,582,454 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Premiums earned, net 147,413,697 154,418,452 38,073,559 35,455,615 Net investment income 3,721,029 10,410,259 92,557 2,168,426 Commission revenue 26,815,078 22,222,007 6,288,156 6,342,908 Other revenue 4,717,492 1,463,763 1,059,119 845,217 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Total premiums earned and other revenues 182,667,296 188,514,481 45,513,391 44,812,166 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES Losses and loss adjustment expenses 81,338,126 59,799,670 27,476,681 21,860,487 General and administrative expenses 35,322,405 39,165,022 6,005,609 4,937,033 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Total operating costs and expenses 116,660,531 98,964,692 33,482,290 26,797,520 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 66,006,765 89,549,789 12,031,101 18,014,646 Income taxes, current 25,895,545 41,078,701 3,889,009 9,370,334 Income taxes, deferred 73,897 (5,531,200) 983,889 (1,619,011) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Income taxes, net 25,969,442 35,547,501 4,872,898 7,751,323 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ NET INCOME $ 40,037,323 $ 54,002,288 $ 7,158,203 $ 10,263,323 ============ ============ ============ ============ Basic net income per common share $ 1.07 $ 1.52 0.19 0.29 ============ ============ ============ ============ Weighted average of common shares outstanding - Basic 37,418,253 35,550,503 37,331,185 35,850,641 ============ ============ ============ ============ Fully diluted net income per share $ 0.99 $ 1.31 0.18 0.24 ============ ============ ============ ============ Weighted average of common shares outstanding - Diluted 40,274,507 41,360,020 39,510,898 41,922,786 ============ ============ ============ ============ Cash dividend declared per common share $ 0.40 $ 0.24 0.20 0.09 ============ ============ ============ ============ Comprehensive Income: Net income $ 40,037,323 $ 54,002,288 $ 7,158,203 $ 10,263,323 Net unrealized gains on investments, net of tax 24,834 - 24,834 - ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Comprehensive Income $ 40,062,157 $ 54,002,288 $ 7,183,037 $ 10,263,323 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, ---------------------------- ASSETS 2008 2007 ------------- ------------- Cash and cash equivalents $ 256,964,637 $ 214,745,606 Investments Fixed maturities, held to maturity, at amortized cost 4,334,405 - Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value 1,314,370 - Real estate, net 3,399,609 3,392,827 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 173,046,776 172,672,795 Reinsurance recoverables 44,009,847 46,399,265 Premiums receivable, net 40,358,720 36,194,822 Other receivables 5,130,402 2,310,500 Property and equipment, net 864,125 874,430 Deferred policy acquisition costs, net 407,946 - Deferred income taxes 14,113,463 14,202,956 Other assets 692,612 400,164 ------------- ------------- Total assets $ 544,636,912 $ 491,193,365 ============= ============= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES: Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 87,947,774 $ 68,815,500 Unearned premiums 258,489,460 254,741,198 Deferred ceding commission, net - 2,122,269 Accounts payable 4,421,201 2,972,147 Reinsurance payable, net 23,984,248 33,888,350 Dividends payable - 3,241,145 Other accrued expenses 14,680,443 16,799,307 Other liabilities 28,560,131 11,035,444 Loans payable - 2,820 Long-term debt 25,000,000 25,000,000 ------------- ------------- Total liabilities 443,083,257 418,618,180 ------------- ------------- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Cumulative convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value 1,387 1,387 Authorized shares - 1,000,000 Issued shares - 138,640 Outstanding shares - 138,640 Minimum liquidation preference - $1,419,700 Common stock, $.01 par value 401,578 393,072 Authorized shares - 55,000,000 Issued shares - 40,158,019 and 39,307,103 Outstanding shares - 37,542,172 and 36,012,729 Treasury shares, at cost - 1,709,847 and 394,374 shares (7,381,768) (974,746) Common stock held in trust, at cost - 906,000 and 2,900,000 shares (733,860) (2,349,000) Additional paid-in capital 33,587,414 24,779,798 Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes 24,834 - Retained earnings 75,654,070 50,724,674 ------------- ------------- Total stockholders' equity 101,553,655 72,575,185 ------------- ------------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 544,636,912 $ 491,193,365 ============= =============