EX-99.1 2 d893951dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

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Andy Omiridis, EVP & CFO

AMERISAFE

337.463.9052

AMERISAFE ANNOUNCES 2024 FOURTH QUARTER AND

YEAR-END RESULTS

Reports $55.4 Million of Net Income and Return on Equity of 20.2% in 2024

DeRidder, LA – February 26, 2025 - AMERISAFE, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMSF), a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on high-hazard industries, today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
          Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
       
     2024     2023     % Change     2024     2023     % Change  
     (in thousands, except
per share data)
          (in thousands, except
per share data)
       

Net premiums earned

   $ 66,510     $ 65,712       1.2   $ 270,639     $ 267,125       1.3

Net investment income

     6,914       8,077       -14.4     29,212       31,339       -6.8

Net realized gains (losses) on investments (pre-tax)

     (395     1,113       NM       (576     6,579       NM  

Net unrealized gains on equity securities (pre-tax)

     917       5,120       NM       9,508       1,228       NM  

Net income

     13,194       19,181       -31.2     55,436       62,108       -10.7

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.69     $ 1.00       -31.0   $ 2.89     $ 3.23       -10.5

Operating net income

     12,782       14,257       -10.3     48,380       55,940       -13.5

Operating earnings per share

   $ 0.67     $ 0.74       -9.5   $ 2.53     $ 2.91       -13.1

Book value per share

   $ 13.51     $ 15.28       -11.6   $ 13.51     $ 15.28       -11.6

Net combined ratio

     86.1     85.5       88.7     85.9  

Return on average equity

     18.5     24.4       20.2     20.4  

G. Janelle Frost, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “In 2024, we successfully navigated a highly competitive workers’ compensation market, achieving growth and profitability despite industry challenges. Risk selection, appropriate product pricing and claims handling resulted in combined ratios of 86.1% this quarter and 88.7% for the year. This success is entirely attributable to our dedicated people and their unwavering commitment to our policyholders, injured workers, agents, and the communities we serve, yielding an 18.5% return on average equity for shareholders this quarter and 20.2% for the year. Their expertise, resilience, and focus on service excellence have been the driving force behind our ability to grow and adapt, while delivering consistently solid results in a dynamic environment.”


INSURANCE RESULTS

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
          Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
       
     2024     2023     % Change     2024     2023     % Change  
     (in thousands)           (in thousands)        

Gross premiums written

   $ 62,702     $ 60,324       3.9   $ 294,144     $ 285,355       3.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net premiums earned

     66,510       65,712       1.2     270,639       267,125       1.3

Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred

     37,502       36,455       2.9     157,267       148,263       6.1

Underwriting and certain other operating costs, commissions, salaries and benefits

     19,750       18,988       4.0     80,129       78,313       2.3

Policyholder dividends

     23       732       -96.9     2,657       2,957       -10.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Underwriting profit (pre-tax)

   $ 9,235     $ 9,537       -3.2   $ 30,586     $ 37,592       -18.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Insurance Ratios:

            

Current accident year loss ratio

     71.0     71.0       71.0     71.0  

Prior accident year loss ratio

     -14.6     -15.5       -12.9     -15.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net loss ratio

     56.4     55.5       58.1     55.5  

Net underwriting expense ratio

     29.7     28.9       29.6     29.3  

Net dividend ratio

     0.0     1.1       1.0     1.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net combined ratio

     86.1     85.5       88.7     85.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

   

Voluntary premiums on policies written in the quarter were 8.5% higher than in the fourth quarter of 2023, primarily due to strong premium retention and new business production. For the full year, voluntary premiums increased by 4.6%.

 

   

Payroll audits and related premium adjustments increased premiums written by $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to an increase of $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. For the full year 2024, audits and related premium adjustments increased written premiums by $20.2 million, compared to an increase of $24.0 million in 2023.

 

   

During the quarter, the Company experienced favorable net loss reserve development for prior accident years, which reduced loss and loss adjustment expenses by $9.7 million, primarily from accident years 2015 through 2022. For the full year, the Company experienced favorable development on prior accident years of $34.9 million, compared with $41.4 million in 2023. The Company attributes its lower claim severities for prior years to proactive claims handling.

 

   

For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, the underwriting expense ratio was 29.7% compared with 28.9% in the same quarter in 2023, due to a favorable franchise tax return to provision true-up in the previous year that did not recur in 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the underwriting expense ratio was 29.6%, compared with 29.3% in 2023, primarily attributable to the fourth quarter of 2023 favorable franchise tax item.

 

   

The effective tax rate for the full year 2024 was 19.7%, unchanged from the prior year.

 

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INVESTMENT RESULTS

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
          Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
       
     2024     2023     % Change     2024     2023     % Change  
     (in thousands)           (in thousands)        

Net investment income

   $ 6,914     $ 8,077       -14.4   $ 29,212     $ 31,339       -6.8

Net realized gains (losses) on investments (pre-tax)

     (395     1,113       NM       (576     6,579       NM  

Net unrealized gains on equity securities (pre-tax)

     917       5,120       NM       9,508       1,228       NM  

Pre-tax investment yield

     3.2     3.5       3.4     3.4  

Tax-equivalent yield (1)

     3.8     3.7       3.8     3.7  

 

(1)

The tax equivalent yield is calculated using the effective interest rate and the appropriate marginal tax rate.

 

   

Net investment income for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024, decreased 14.4% to $6.9 million and 6.8% to $29.2 million, respectively, due to a decrease in investable assets following the payment of the special dividend on December 13, 2024.

 

   

Net unrealized gains on equity securities were $0.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. The full year 2024 unrealized gain of $9.5 million is reflective of favorable equity market returns during the year.

 

   

As of December 31, 2024, the carrying value of the Company’s investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, was $832.8 million.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

In an accompanying announcement, the Company’s board of directors increased the regular quarterly dividend by 5.4% from $0.37 per share to $0.39 per share, payable on March 21, 2025, to shareholders of record as of March 7, 2025.

 

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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2024     2023     2024     2023  
     (in thousands, except share and per share data)  

Net income

   $ 13,194     $ 19,181     $ 55,436     $ 62,108  

Less:

        

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     (395     1,113       (576     6,579  

Net unrealized gains on equity securities (pre-tax)

     917       5,120       9,508       1,228  

Tax effect (1)

     (110     (1,309     (1,876     (1,639
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating net income (2)

   $ 12,782     $ 14,257     $ 48,380     $ 55,940  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average shareholders’ equity (3)

   $ 285,856     $ 314,167     $ 274,896     $ 304,942  

Less:

        

Average accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (5,775     (13,779     (8,035     (10,511
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average adjusted shareholders’ equity (2)

   $ 291,631     $ 327,946     $ 282,931     $ 315,453  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares

     19,116,519       19,220,250       19,159,805       19,226,021  

Return on average equity (4)

     18.5     24.4     20.2     20.4

Operating return on average adjusted equity (2)

     17.5     17.4     17.1     17.7

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.69     $ 1.00     $ 2.89     $ 3.23  

Operating earnings per share (2)

   $ 0.67     $ 0.74     $ 2.53     $ 2.91  

 

(1)

The tax effect of net realized losses on investments and net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities is calculated with an effective tax rate of 21%.

(2)

Operating net income, average adjusted shareholders’ equity, operating return on average adjusted equity and operating earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that investors’ understanding of core operating performance is enhanced by AMERISAFE’s disclosure of these financial measures.

(3)

Average shareholders’ equity is calculated by taking the average of the beginning and ending shareholders’ equity for the applicable period.

(4)

Return on average equity is calculated by dividing the annualized net income by the average shareholders’ equity.

 

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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This release contains non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and includes a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP in the Supplemental Information in this release.

Management believes that investors’ understanding of core operating performance is enhanced by AMERISAFE’s disclosure of these standard industry financial measures which include operating net income, average adjusted shareholders’ equity, operating return on average adjusted equity and operating earnings per share.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

AMERISAFE has scheduled a conference call for February 27, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results for the quarter. To participate in the conference call, dial 786-789-4797 (Conference Code 3280069) at least ten minutes before the call begins.

Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call over the Internet by visiting the “Investor Relations Home” page of the “Investors” section of the Company’s website (http://www.amerisafe.com). To listen to the live call on the web, please visit the website at least fifteen minutes before the call begins to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, an archive will be available shortly after the call at the same website location.

ABOUT AMERISAFE

AMERISAFE, Inc. is a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking, logging and lumber, agriculture, and manufacturing. AMERISAFE actively markets workers’ compensation insurance in 27 states.

 

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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements accompanied by words such as “will,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” or similar words, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding AMERISAFE’s plans, expectations and performance. These statements are based on management’s estimates, assumptions and projections as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance, and include statements regarding management’s current views and expectations of the workers’ compensation insurance market, AMERISAFE’s growth opportunities, underwriting margins and actions by competitors. Investors are cautioned that many of the assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based might change after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements if the underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect or changes otherwise occur, or as the results of the materialization of risks, uncertainties and other factors impacting the business and operations of the Company, our policyholders or the market value of our investment portfolio. Factors that may affect our results are set forth in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including AMERISAFE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. AMERISAFE cautions you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. AMERISAFE does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, notwithstanding any changes in its assumptions, changes in business plans, actual experience or other changes that arise after the date of this release.

– Tables to Follow –

 

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AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2024     2023     2024     2023  
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)        

Revenues:

        

Gross premiums written

   $ 62,702     $ 60,324     $ 294,144     $ 285,355  

Ceded premiums written

     (6,260     (4,365     (18,164     (16,621
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 56,442     $ 55,959     $ 275,980     $ 268,734  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 66,510     $ 65,712     $ 270,639     $ 267,125  

Net investment income

     6,914       8,077       29,212       31,339  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     (395     1,113       (576     6,579  

Net unrealized gains on equity securities

     917       5,120       9,508       1,228  

Fee and other income

     83       94       260       582  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     74,029       80,116       309,043       306,853  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

        

Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred

     37,502       36,455       157,267       148,263  

Underwriting and other operating costs

     19,750       18,988       80,129       78,313  

Policyholder dividends

     23       732       2,657       2,957  

Provision for investment related credit loss benefit

     (20     (6     (66     (57
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     57,255       56,169       239,987       229,476  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before taxes

     16,774       23,947       69,056       77,377  

Income tax expense

     3,580       4,766       13,620       15,269  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 13,194     $ 19,181     $ 55,436     $ 62,108  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic EPS:

        

Net income

   $ 13,194     $ 19,181     $ 55,436     $ 62,108  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic weighted average common shares

     19,035,995       19,159,911       19,070,717       19,149,080  

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.69     $ 1.00     $ 2.91     $ 3.24  

Diluted EPS:

        

Net income

   $ 13,194     $ 19,181     $ 55,436     $ 62,108  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares:

        

Weighted average common shares

     19,035,995       19,159,911       19,070,717       19,149,080  

Restricted stock and RSUs

     80,524       60,339       89,088       76,941  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares

     19,116,519       19,220,250       19,159,805       19,226,021  

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.69     $ 1.00     $ 2.89     $ 3.23  

 

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AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

     December 31,
2024
     December 31,
2023
 
     (unaudited)         

Assets

     

Investments

   $ 788,778      $ 857,786  

Cash and cash equivalents

     44,045        38,682  

Amounts recoverable from reinsurers

     117,019        129,963  

Premiums receivable, net

     142,659        132,861  

Deferred income taxes

     19,448        20,403  

Deferred policy acquisition costs

     19,151        17,975  

Other assets

     26,691        31,492  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,157,791      $ 1,229,162  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

     

Liabilities:

     

Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 651,309      $ 673,994  

Unearned premiums

     121,926        116,585  

Insurance-related assessments

     14,852        16,896  

Other liabilities

     112,363        129,236  

Shareholders’ equity

     257,341        292,451  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,157,791      $ 1,229,162  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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