W. R. Berkley Corporation Reports Third Quarter Results

GREENWICH, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

W. R. Berkley Corporation WRB today reported net income for the third quarter of 2015 of $153 million, or $1.18 per share.

Summary Financial Data (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
		Third Quarter								Nine Months
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Gross premiums written		$	1,822,581			$	1,779,356			$	5,485,784			$	5,357,024
Net premiums written		1,571,037				1,525,382				4,690,364				4,541,038
Net income		152,607				188,539				393,949				538,173
Net income per diluted share		1.18				1.42				3.02				4.02
Operating income (1)		117,569				141,571				328,621				385,956
Operating income per diluted share		0.91				1.06				2.51				2.88
Return on equity (2)		13.3		%		17.4		%		11.4		%		16.5		%

(1) Operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income excluding after-tax net investment gains.

(2) Return on equity represents net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of beginning of year stockholders' equity.

Third quarter highlights included:

• Return on equity was 19.9% pre-tax and 13.3% after-tax.
• Insurance-Domestic net premiums written grew 6%.
• GAAP combined ratio was 93.7%.
• Realized $54 million net pre-tax gains principally from alternative investment portfolio.
• Started five new businesses.

Commenting on the Company's performance, William R. Berkley, chairman and chief executive officer, said: "We were pleased with our third quarter results. Our loss and expense ratios were in line with our expectations. Most of our operating units delivered excellent returns as margins remain adequate relative to our return objectives. Positive net reserve development continued with loss costs increasing at modest rates. Although we are not immune to global catastrophe losses, our approach to writing business where we can achieve superior long-term risk-adjusted returns again resulted in low volatility in what was a challenging quarter for many companies that operate on a global basis.

"While investment income from fixed maturity securities continued to gradually decline, the overall portfolio provided satisfactory returns as a result of income from various other classes of investments. Repositioning our portfolio to generate somewhat regular capital gains has benefited our total investment return.

"Opportunities continue to be available in the market, and we were able to start several new ventures. Our view at this time is that the cyclical decline in direct insurance pricing will likely be gradual. With our return on equity close to 20% on a pre-tax basis and more than 13% on an after-tax basis, along with modest growth, our Company remains well-positioned.

"We continue to have a favorable view of price levels in most lines of business and look forward to a continuation of positive investment results. As such, we expect the balance of the year will be in line with our expectations and are optimistic about our returns," Mr. Berkley concluded.

Webcast Conference Call

The Company will hold its quarterly conference call with analysts and investors to discuss its earnings and other information on Monday, October 26, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. eastern time. The conference call will be webcast live on the Company's website at www.wrberkley.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website approximately two hours after the end of the conference call.

About W. R. Berkley Corporation

Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates in three segments of the property casualty business: Insurance-Domestic, Insurance-International and Reinsurance-Global.

Forward Looking Information

This is a "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including statements related to our outlook for the industry and for our performance for the year 2015 and beyond, are based upon the Company's historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. They are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the cyclical nature of the property casualty industry; the impact of significant competition, including new alternative entrants to the industry; the long-tail and potentially volatile nature of the insurance and reinsurance business; product demand and pricing; claims development and the process of estimating reserves; investment risks, including those of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities and investments in equity securities, including investments in financial institutions, municipal bonds, mortgage-backed securities, loans receivable, investment funds, including real estate, merger arbitrage, energy related and private equity investments; the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues; the uncertain nature of damage theories and loss amounts; natural and man-made catastrophic losses, including as a result of terrorist activities; general economic and market activities, including inflation, interest rates, and volatility in the credit and capital markets; the impact of the conditions in the financial markets and the global economy, and the potential effect of legislative, regulatory, accounting or other initiatives taken in response to it, on our results and financial condition; foreign currency and political risks relating to our international operations; our ability to attract and retain key personnel and qualified employees; continued availability of capital and financing; the success of our new ventures or acquisitions and the availability of other opportunities; the availability of reinsurance; our retention under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, as amended ("TRIA"); the ability of our reinsurers to pay reinsurance recoverables owed to us; other legislative and regulatory developments, including those related to business practices in the insurance industry; credit risk related to our policyholders, independent agents and brokers; changes in the ratings assigned to us or our insurance company subsidiaries by rating agencies; the availability of dividends from our insurance company subsidiaries; potential difficulties with technology and/or data security; the effectiveness of our controls to ensure compliance with guidelines, policies and legal and regulatory standards; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results for the year 2015 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement we make. Any projections of growth in our revenues would not necessarily result in commensurate levels of earnings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Consolidated Financial Summary (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
		Third Quarter								Nine Months
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Revenues:
Net premiums written		$	1,571,037			$	1,525,382			$	4,690,364			$	4,541,038
Change in unearned premiums		(39,479		)		(64,578		)		(193,752		)		(298,977		)
Net premiums earned		1,531,558				1,460,804				4,496,612				4,242,061
Investment income		133,214				179,225				385,036				486,665
Insurance service fees		35,192				26,345				107,652				81,970
Net investment gains		53,904				72,258				100,505				234,180
Revenues from wholly-owned investees		107,059				101,568				305,261				298,693
Other income		30				405				335				931
Total revenues		1,860,957				1,840,605				5,395,401				5,344,500
Expenses:
Losses and loss expenses		926,355				887,123				2,733,298				2,576,996
Other operating costs and expenses		573,541				544,303				1,698,169				1,593,619
Expenses from wholly-owned investees		100,500				97,797				288,900				290,823
Interest expense		31,641				32,929				99,210				93,570
Total expenses		1,632,037				1,562,152				4,819,577				4,555,008
Income before income taxes		228,920				278,453				575,824				789,492
Income tax expense		(76,184		)		(89,662		)		(181,595		)		(250,840		)
Net income before noncontrolling interests		152,736				188,791				394,229				538,652
Noncontrolling interests		(129		)		(252		)		(280		)		(479		)
Net income to common stockholders		$	152,607			$	188,539			$	393,949			$	538,173
Net income per share:
Basic		$	1.24			$	1.48			$	3.17			$	4.20
Diluted		$	1.18			$	1.42			$	3.02			$	4.02
Average shares outstanding:
Basic		123,163				127,165				124,294				128,225
Diluted		128,947				133,001				130,563				133,886

Business Segment Operating Results (Amounts in thousands, except ratios) (1)
		Third Quarter								Nine Months
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Insurance-Domestic:
Gross premiums written		$	1,457,943			$	1,393,186			$	4,289,042			$	4,087,752
Net premiums written		1,248,740				1,182,579				3,644,959				3,432,803
Premiums earned		1,181,923				1,093,554				3,459,118				3,138,806
Pre-tax income		191,582				228,359				534,401				607,399
Loss ratio		61.2		%		59.8		%		61.5		%		60.2		%
Expense ratio		30.8		%		31.1		%		31.2		%		32.0		%
GAAP combined ratio		92.0		%		90.9		%		92.7		%		92.2		%
Insurance-International:
Gross premiums written		$	193,303			$	205,253			$	713,561			$	747,639
Net premiums written		163,587				171,582				593,585				620,025
Premiums earned		197,578				205,529				583,041				592,721
Pre-tax income		12,527				12,603				41,347				41,860
Loss ratio		57.0		%		62.7		%		58.2		%		60.9		%
Expense ratio		43.4		%		40.7		%		41.4		%		39.9		%
GAAP combined ratio		100.4		%		103.4		%		99.6		%		100.8		%
Reinsurance-Global:
Gross premiums written		$	171,335			$	180,917			$	483,181			$	521,633
Net premiums written		158,710				171,221				451,820				488,210
Premiums earned		152,057				161,721				454,453				510,534
Pre-tax income		22,413				29,005				69,797				86,945
Loss ratio		59.1		%		64.5		%		58.9		%		64.2		%
Expense ratio		39.0		%		34.2		%		37.8		%		32.9		%
GAAP combined ratio		98.1		%		98.7		%		96.7		%		97.1		%
Corporate and Eliminations:
Net realized investment gains		$	53,904			$	72,258			$	100,505			$	234,180
Interest expense		(31,641		)		(32,929		)		(99,210		)		(93,570		)
Other revenues and expenses		(19,865		)		(30,843		)		(71,016		)		(87,322		)
Pre-tax gain (loss)		2,398				8,486				(69,721		)		53,288
Consolidated:
Gross premiums written		$	1,822,581			$	1,779,356			$	5,485,784			$	5,357,024
Net premiums written		1,571,037				1,525,382				4,690,364				4,541,038
Premiums earned		1,531,558				1,460,804				4,496,612				4,242,061
Pre-tax income		228,920				278,453				575,824				789,492
Loss ratio		60.5		%		60.7		%		60.8		%		60.7		%
Expense ratio		33.2		%		32.8		%		33.2		%		33.2		%
GAAP combined ratio		93.7		%		93.5		%		94.0		%		93.9		%

(1) Loss ratio is losses and loss expenses incurred expressed as a percentage of premiums earned. Expense ratio is underwriting expenses expressed as a percentage of premiums earned. GAAP combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio.

Supplemental Information (Amounts in thousands)
		Third Quarter								Nine Months
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Insurance-Domestic net premiums written:
Other liability		$	416,762			$	386,376			$	1,212,019			$	1,158,096
Workers' compensation		331,929				298,784				1,013,367				929,649
Short-tail lines (1)		249,248				252,262				712,623				695,343
Commercial automobile		138,849				142,027				412,000				405,835
Professional liability		111,952				103,130				294,950				243,880
Total		$	1,248,740			$	1,182,579			$	3,644,959			$	3,432,803
Losses from catastrophes:
Insurance-Domestic		$	4,627			$	7,434			$	41,218			$	58,545
Insurance-International		1,920				7,164				2,481				8,567
Reinsurance-Global		959				302				2,756				1,548
Total		$	7,506			$	14,900			$	46,455			$	68,660
Investment income:
Core portfolio (2)		$	107,680			$	120,101			$	322,728			$	338,925
Investment funds		22,926				59,077				50,838				135,232
Arbitrage trading account		2,608				47				11,470				12,508
Total		$	133,214			$	179,225			$	385,036			$	486,665
Other operating costs and expenses:
Underwriting expenses		$	508,815			$	479,174			$	1,491,109			$	1,407,608
Service expenses		29,856				23,266				93,314				69,130
Net foreign currency gains		(5,743		)		(2,677		)		(3,234		)		(1,018		)
Other costs and expenses		40,613				44,540				116,980				117,899
Total		$	573,541			$	544,303			$	1,698,169			$	1,593,619
Cash flow from operations		$	287,452			$	391,163			$	620,335			$	645,786
Reconciliation of operating and net income:
Operating income (3)		$	117,569			$	141,571			$	328,621			$	385,956
After-tax investment gains		35,038				46,968				65,328				152,217
Net income		$	152,607			$	188,539			$	393,949			$	538,173

(1) Short-tail lines include commercial multi-peril (non-liability), inland marine, accident and health, fidelity and surety, boiler and machinery and other lines.

(2) Core portfolio includes fixed maturity securities, equity securities, cash and cash equivalents, real estate and loans receivable.

(3) Operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income excluding after-tax net investment gains. Management believes that excluding net investment gains provides a useful indicator of trends in the Company's underlying operations.

Selected Balance Sheet Information (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
		September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
Net invested assets (1)		$	16,379,706			$	16,508,087
Total assets		21,738,566				21,716,691
Reserves for losses and loss expenses		10,661,054				10,369,701
Senior notes and other debt		1,838,965				2,115,527
Subordinated debentures		340,255				340,060
Common stockholders' equity (2)		4,583,266				4,589,945
Common stock outstanding (3)		123,268				126,749
Book value per share (4)		37.18				36.21
Tangible book value per share (4)		35.64				34.72

(1) Net invested assets include investments, cash and cash equivalents, trading accounts receivable from brokers and clearing organizations, trading account securities sold but not yet purchased and unsettled purchases, net of related liabilities.

(2) After-tax unrealized investment gains were $227 million and $306 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Unrealized currency translation losses were $199 million and $123 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

(3) During the third quarter of 2015, the Company repurchased 106,113 shares of its common stock for $5.5 million. During the first nine months of 2015, the Company repurchased 4,502,025 shares of its common stock for $223.7 million.

(4) Book value per share is total common stockholders' equity divided by the number of common shares outstanding. Tangible book value per share is total common stockholders' equity excluding the after-tax value of goodwill and other intangible assets divided by the number of common shares outstanding.

Investment Portfolio September 30, 2015 (Amounts in thousands)
		Carrying Value				Percent of Total
Fixed maturity securities:
United States government and government agencies		$	672,968			4.1	%
State and municipal:
Special revenue		2,598,060				15.9	%
State general obligation		659,199				4.0	%
Pre-refunded		477,118				2.9	%
Corporate backed		398,419				2.4	%
Local general obligation		367,026				2.2	%
Total state and municipal		4,499,822				27.4	%
Mortgage-backed securities:
Agency		876,970				5.4	%
Residential - Prime		142,439				0.9	%
Commercial		68,204				0.4	%
Residential - Alt A		60,036				0.4	%
Total mortgage-backed securities		1,147,649				7.1	%
Corporate:
Industrial		1,951,847				11.9	%
Asset-backed		1,640,097				10.0	%
Financial		1,293,718				7.9	%
Utilities		196,325				1.2	%
Other		81,224				0.5	%
Total corporate		5,163,211				31.5	%
Foreign government		884,669				5.4	%
Total fixed maturity securities (1)		12,368,319				75.5	%
Equity securities available for sale:
Preferred stocks		135,749				0.8	%
Common stocks		42,128				0.3	%
Total equity securities available for sale		177,877				1.1	%
Investment funds (3)		1,137,977				6.9	%
Arbitrage trading account		351,179				2.1	%
Real estate		873,909				5.3	%
Cash and cash equivalents (2)		1,184,172				7.2	%
Loans receivable		286,273				1.7	%
Net invested assets		$	16,379,706			100.0	%

(1) Total fixed maturity securities had an average rating of AA- and an average duration of 3.2 years.

(2) Cash and cash equivalents includes trading accounts receivable from brokers and clearing organizations, trading account securities sold but not yet purchased and unsettled purchases.

(3) Investment funds include an investment in publicly traded common stock of HealthEquity, Inc. (HQY), which is carried on the equity method of accounting. At September 30, 2015, the investment in HQY had a carrying value of $44.2 million and a fair value of $353.7 million.

Investment funds are reported net of related liabilities of $2.2 million.

Foreign Government Fixed Maturity Securities September 30, 2015 (Amounts in thousands)
		Carrying Value
Australia		$	223,787
United Kingdom		167,601
Canada		151,572
Argentina		136,293
Germany		67,030
Brazil		48,030
Supranational (1)		36,986
Norway		30,354
Singapore		6,079
Colombia		5,270
Netherlands		4,515
Austria		3,643
Uruguay		3,509
Total		$	884,669

(1) Supranational represents investments in the North American Development Bank, European Investment Bank and International Bank for Reconstruction & Development.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151026006479/en/