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Symetra Financial Reports First Quarter 2011 Results

^{Published on 2011-04-27 13:20:50 - Market Wire}
 

BELLEVUE, Wash.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Symetra Financial Corp. (NYSE: SYA) today reported first quarter 2011 net income of $54.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted share. This compares with $46.3 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, in first quarter 2010.

"While the Group loss ratio was better than our first quarter 2010 result, it was outside our long-term target range."

Adjusted operating income¹ was $45.1 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, in first quarter 2011, compared with $41.9 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, in the same period a year ago.

aOur solid year-over-year earnings increase reflects strong growth in deferred annuity and bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) account values as well as excellent investment portfolio performance,a said Tom Marra, Symetra president and chief executive officer. aWhile the Group loss ratio was better than our first quarter 2010 result, it was outside our long-term target range.a

First Quarter Summary

• Group loss ratio improved to 67.6% versus 68.9% in first quarter 2010, though it was higher than the fourth quarter 2010 result; Group earnings declined from first quarter 2010 due to higher expenses.
• Deferred Annuities total account values reached $10.6 billion, up 20.5% from the same quarter a year ago.
• Income Annuities reported higher interest spreads and improved mortality experience.
• BOLI return on assets increased on growing account values; Life earnings were down due to a reserve release in first quarter 2010.
• Equity portfolio returns outpaced the S&P 500 Total Return Index.

aSince the beginning of the year, wea™ve made considerable progress on our aGrow and Diversifya™ strategies. We significantly expanded our Life and Retirement sales force; we are building out our group life business and leadership team; we enhanced our single premium life product; and we introduced a new fixed indexed annuity called Symetra EdgePro^(SM). With these accomplishments, 2011 is off to a good start,a said Marra.

Group Division

The Group segment, which consists primarily of medical stop-loss insurance, reported first quarter 2011 pretax adjusted operating income of $13.8 million, compared with $15.7 million in first quarter 2010. First quarter operating income decreased as a result of higher administrative and commission expenses, compared with unusually low administrative expenses in first quarter 2010.

Groupa™s loss ratio was 67.6% for first quarter 2011, compared with 68.9% in the prior-year period. Our long-term Group loss ratio target range is 63% to 65%, though on a quarter-to-quarter basis, the loss ratio can fluctuate widely.

Group sales in first quarter 2011 were $48.7 million, compared with $41.4 million in first quarter 2010. In addition to improved medical stop-loss sales, limited benefit medical sales increased to $6.0 million, up from $2.2 million in first quarter 2010.

Retirement Division

The Deferred Annuities segment,which includes fixed and variable deferred annuities, generated $23.2 million in pretax adjusted operating income in first quarter 2011, up from $17.3 million in first quarter 2010. Investment income on higher total account values contributed to the improved results.Total account values were $10.6 billion at quarter-end, up 20.5% from $8.8 billion at the end of first quarter 2010.

Sales of deferred annuities (predominately fixed annuities) grew substantially to $618.4 million in first quarter 2011, compared with $377.5 million in first quarter 2010. Symetraa™s expanding presence on key bank platforms over the past year drove higher fixed annuity sales. Symetra EdgePro^SM, a fixed indexed annuity, launched in mid-April through select banks and broker-dealers.

The Income Annuities segment, which includes single premium immediate annuities (SPIAs) and structured settlements, produced pretax adjusted operating income of $8.9 million in first quarter 2011, compared with $6.4 million in first quarter 2010. First quarter results reflected higher interest spreads and favorable mortality experience. Interest spreads improved with accelerated estimated prepayment speeds on mortgage-backed securities and the positive effects of the companya™s commercial mortgage loan investment strategy, which delivered higher yields relative to other types of investments. Mortality gains were $0.7 million in first quarter 2011, compared with mortality losses of $0.1 million in first quarter 2010.

Income Annuities sales were $64.5 million in first quarter 2011, compared with sales of $66.3 million in the same quarter of 2010.

Life Division

The Life segment, which includes term life, universal life and bank-owned life insurance (BOLI), reported pretax adjusted operating income of $16.9 million in first quarter 2011, compared with $23.3 million in first quarter 2010. First quarter 2011 results were driven by higher return on assets on growing BOLI account values, offset by increased individual life claims. Results a year ago included $7.4 million in pretax operating income related to a reserve release on one of Symetraa™s universal life products.

Life sales were $2.4 million in first quarter 2011, down from $5.5 million in the same quarter a year ago as a result of lower BOLI and term life sales. The companya™s focus on single premium life (SPL) led to significant growth in SPL sales over first quarter 2010, and a third consecutive quarter of sequential improvement.

Other

The Other segment, which includes unallocated corporate income and expenses, interest expense on debt and other income outside of Symetraa™s four business segments, had a pretax adjusted operating loss of $1.4 million in first quarter 2011, compared with a pretax adjusted operating loss of $3.9 million in the same quarter a year ago. The improvement in first quarter 2011 results was due largely to an increase in net investment income on a higher asset balance.

Investment Portfolio

Net realized investment gains were $15.6 million in first quarter 2011, up from net gains of $6.8 million in first quarter 2010. Impairment losses were $0.9 million in first quarter 2011, compared with losses of $9.7 million in first quarter 2010, reflecting improved economic conditions.

Symetraa™s equity portfolio posted net investment gains of $12.2 million in first quarter 2011, compared with net gains of $7.6 million in first quarter 2010. The companya™s equity portfolio generated returns of 6.7% in first quarter 2011, outperforming the S&P 500 Total Return Index result of 5.9%.

Stockholdersa™ Equity

Total stockholdersa™ equity, or book value, as of March 31, 2011 was $2,431.0 million, or $17.68 per share, compared with $2,380.6 million, or $17.35 per share, as of Dec. 31, 2010.

Adjusted book value per share, as converted¹, was $16.11 per share as of March 31, 2011, up from $15.79 per share as of Dec. 31, 2010.

Symetra Life Insurance Company ended first quarter 2011 with an estimated risk-based capital (RBC) ratio of 475% and statutory capital and surplus, including asset valuation reserve (AVR), of $1,986.3 million.

2011 Earnings Guidance

Symetra affirmed its previous guidance for full-year 2011 adjusted operating income per share of $1.30 to $1.50. Some of the factors that could drive actual results toward the lower end, middle or upper end of the guidance range include: changes in the interest rate environment; Group loss ratio relative to long-term target; timing and success of product launches; amount of issuance and yields on commercial mortgage loans; returns on alternative investment portfolio; and achievement of target cash balances.

Additional Financial Information

This press release and the first quarter 2011 financial supplement are posted on the company's website at [ http://investors.symetra.com ]. Investors are encouraged to review all of these materials.

Management to Review Results on Conference Call and Webcast

Symetraa™s senior management team will discuss the companya™s first quarter 2011 performance with investors and analysts on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 10 a.m., Eastern Time (7 a.m., Pacific Time). To listen by phone, dial 1-888-680-0879. For international callers, dial 617-213-4856. The access code is 52043080. Participants may pre-register for the call at [ www.symetra.com/earnings ]. Pre-registrants will be issued a PIN number to use when dialing into the live call, which will provide quick access to the conference by bypassing the operator.

The conference call will be broadcast live on the Internet at [ http://investors.symetra.com ] and archived later in the day for replay. Those who wish to listen to the call by phone or via the Internet should dial in or go to Symetraa™s website at least 15 minutes before the call to register and/or test the compatibility of their computer.

A replay of the call can be accessed by phone at approximately 1 p.m., Eastern Time (10 a.m., Pacific Time) on April 28, 2011 by dialing 1-888-286-8010. For international callers, dial 617-801-6888. The access code is 37018275. The replay will be available by phone until May 5, 2011. To access a replay of the conference call over the Internet, visit [ http://investors.symetra.com ].

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

¹ Symetra uses both U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and non-GAAP financial measures to track the performance of its operations and financial condition. Definitions of each non-GAAP measure are provided below, and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in the tables at the end of this press release. These measures are not substitutes for GAAP financial measures. For more information about these non-GAAP measures, please see Symetraa™s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

This press release may include non-GAAP financial measures entitled aadjusted operating income,a aadjusted operating income per diluted share,a aadjusted book value,a aadjusted book value, as converteda and aadjusted book value per share, as converted.a The company defines adjusted operating income as net income, excluding after-tax net investment gains (losses) and including after-tax net investment gains (losses) on fixed indexed annuity (FIA) options. Adjusted operating income per diluted share is defined as adjusted operating income divided by diluted common shares outstanding. Adjusted book value is defined as stockholdersa™ equity, less accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), or AOCI. Adjusted book value, as converted, is defined as stockholdersa™ equity, less AOCI plus the assumed proceeds from exercising the outstanding warrants. Adjusted book value per share, as converted, is calculated as adjusted book value, as converted, divided by the sum of outstanding common shares and shares subject to outstanding warrants.

Definition of Selected Operating Performance Measures

The company reports selected operating performance measures, which are commonly used in the insurance industry. These measures are described here:

Loss ratio a" Represents policyholder benefits and claims incurred divided by premiums earned.

Sales a" For the Group segment, sales represent annualized first-year premiums for new policies. For the Deferred Annuities and Income Annuities segments, sales represent deposits for new policies. For the Life segment, sales represent annualized first-year premiums for recurring premium products, and 10% of new deposits for BOLI and other single-premium products. All sales figures are net of first-year surrenders.

About Symetra Financial

Symetra Financial Corporation (NYSE: SYA) is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Wash. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent agents and advisors. For more information, visit [ www.symetra.com ].

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release may contain aforward-looking statementsa within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of current or historical facts included or referenced in this release that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. The words awill,a abelieve,a aintend,a aplan,a aexpect,a aanticipate,a aproject,a aestimate,a apredict,a apotentiala and similar expressions also are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to Symetra's:

• estimates or projections of revenues, net income (loss), net income (loss) per share, adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted operating income (loss) per share, market share or other financial forecasts;
• trends in operations, financial performance and financial condition;
• financial and operating targets or plans; and
• business and growth strategy, including prospective products, services and distribution partners.

These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Symetra in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate under the circumstances. Whether actual results and developments will conform to Symetra's expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and contingencies that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including, among others:

• general economic, market or business conditions, including further economic downturns or other adverse conditions in the global and domestic capital and credit markets;
• the availability of capital and financing;
• potential investment losses;
• the effects of fluctuations in interest rates and a prolonged low interest rate environment;
• recorded reserves for future policy benefits and claims subsequently proving to be inadequate or inaccurate;
• deviations from assumptions used in setting prices for insurance and annuity products;
• continued viability of certain products under various economic and other conditions;
• market pricing and competitive trends related to insurance products and services;
• changes in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements;
• financial strength or credit ratings downgrades;
• the continued availability and cost of reinsurance coverage;
• changes in laws or regulations, or their interpretation, including those that could increase Symetra's business costs and required capital levels;
• the ability of subsidiaries to pay dividends to Symetra;
• the ability of the new executive leadership team to successfully implement business strategies;
• the effects of implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act;
• the effects of implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; and
• the risks that are described from time to time in Symetra's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including those in Symetra's 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by Symetra will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Symetra or its business or operations. Symetra assumes no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.