Business & Finance
Fri, March 30, 2012 
HEWLETT, N.Y.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Kingstone Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: KINS) reported its results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011.
"2011 was our best year yet. Kingstone Insurance Company (aKICO"
Barry Goldstein, KINS Chairman and CEO, said a2011 was our best year yet. Kingstone Insurance Company (aKICOa) produced the best results in its 125 year history, leading to an increase in all important year over year metrics for KINS: Net Premiums Earned +34%; Net Income +155%; Net Earnings per Share (Basic) +124%; Book Value per Share +21%.a
Mr. Goldstein continued, aOur dedicated and knowledgeable staff works closely with our selected producers, allowing for these stellar results. We seek to maintain an open, accessible and personal underwriting environment with our select producers, where each party knows what to expect of the other. We do not believe in the aone size fits alla on-line only approach that so many of our competitors have deployed. They have built slick interfaces and exceedingly granular on-line rating tables, with the expectation of achieving a reduction in expenses. While that is no doubt true, what that has also led to is an impersonal relationship between carrier and agent, in an industry that prides itself on individual service.a
Mr. Goldstein concluded, aWe believe that our approach leads to long-term high quality relationships and our gaining a larger share of our producersa business over time. We now enjoy a balanced product mix between personal and commercial lines. Many carriers seek to grow their single or limited offerings solely via an expansion of their distribution channel. We instead have developed a multi-product approach for individuals and small businesses. Our offerings include Homeowners/Dwelling Fire, Commercial Auto, Commercial Liability for Artisans and Business Owners, Personal Umbrella, For-Hire Physical Damage and Canine Legal Liability. We strive to make KICO our select producersa aGo Toa company and carefully select only those producers who value the product mix and relationship that we offer.a
Selected data
Item | 2011 (In thousands except per share data) | 2010 (In thousands except per share data) | ||
| Direct Premiums Written (1) | $40,735 | $33,249 | ||
| Net Premiums Written (1) | $16,296 | $13,735 | ||
| Total Revenues | $27,693 | $21,596 | ||
| Operating Expenses | $24,101 | $19,747 | ||
| Income from Continuing Operations Before Taxes | $3,592 | $1,849 | ||
| Income Tax Expense | $1,089 | $767 | ||
| Net Income | $2,503 | $983 | ||
| Comprehensive Income | $2,728 | $912 | ||
| Net Operating Income (1) | $2,157 | $753 | ||
| Net Income Per Share (Basic) | $.65 | $.29 | ||
| Net Income Per Share (Diluted) | $.64 | $.29 | ||
| Net Operating Income Per Share (Diluted) (1) | $.55 | $.22 | ||
| Dividends Per Share | $.06 | $.00 | ||
| Book Value Per Share at Year End | $4.07 | $3.37 |
1These measures are not based on GAAP and are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in aInformation Regarding Non-GAAP Measuresa below.
Victor Brodsky, KINS and KICO Chief Financial Officer, noted aKICO has been able to grow its direct premiums written yet still maintain a conservative operating leverage. Our quota-share treaties allow for us generate the business and cede to our reinsurer partners much of what we write. In exchange, we receive commissions for doing so, and in 2011 our ceding commissions totaled $10.6 million, an increase of 24% over the prior year.a
Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures
Direct premiums written - represents the total premiums charged on policies issued by the Company during the fiscal period in question.
Net premiums written - represents direct premiums written plus assumed premiums less premiums ceded to reinsurers.
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2011 | 2010 | $ Change | % Change | |||||
| (000as) | ||||||||
Direct and Net Premiums Written Reconciliation: | ||||||||
| Direct premiums written | $40,735 | $33,249 | $ 7,486 | 22.5 | % | |||
| Assumed written premiums | 11 | 11 | - | - | % | |||
| Ceded written premiums | (24,450) | (19,525) | (4,925) | 25.2 | % | |||
| Net written premiums | 16,296 | 13,735 | 2,561 | 18.6 | % | |||
| Change in unearned premiums | (1,427) | (2,599) | 1,172 | (45.1) | % | |||
| Net premiums earned | $14,869 | $11,136 | $ 3,733 | 33.5 | % | |||
Net operating income - is net income exclusive of realized investment gains, net of tax. Net income is the GAAP measure most closely comparable to net operating income. Management uses net operating income, along with other measures, to gauge the Companyas performance and evaluate results, which can be skewed when including realized investment gains, which may vary significantly between periods. Net operating income is provided as supplemental information, is not a substitute for net income and does not reflect the Companyas overall profitability.
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2011 | 2010 | $ Change | % Change | |||||
| (000as) | ||||||||
Net Operating Income Reconciliation: | ||||||||
Net income | $ 2,503 | $ 983 | $ 1,520 | 154.6 | % | |||
| Net realized gain on investments | 524 | 349 | 175 | 50.1 | % | |||
| Less tax effect on realized gains | 178 | 119 | 59 | 49.6 | % | |||
| Net realized gain on investments, net of taxes | 346 | 230 | 116 | 50.4 | % | |||
| Net operating income | $ 2,157 | $ 753 | $ 1,404 | 186.5 | % | |||
Net operating income per share (diluted) a" is diluted net income per share exclusive of realized investment gains, net of tax.
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
| 2011 | 2010 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||
Net Operating Income per Share Reconciliation: | |||||||||
| Net income per share (diluted) | $ 0.64 | $ 0.29 | $ 0.35 | 120.7 | % | ||||
| Net realized gain on investments, net of taxes per share (diluted) | $ 0.09 | $ 0.07 | $ 0.02 | 28.6 | % | ||||
| Net operating income per share (diluted) | $ 0.55 | $ 0.22 | $ 0.33 | 150.0 | % | ||||
Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this press release may contain aforward-looking statementsa within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on managementas current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors. More information about these factors can be found in Kingstoneas filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its latest Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K. Kingstone undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
