TORONTO, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 11/07/12 — E-L Financial Corporation Limited (“E-L Financial”) (TSX: ELF)(TSX: ELF.PR.F)(TSX: ELF.PR.G)(TSX: ELF.PR.H) today reported that for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, consolidated net operating income(1) of $11.8 million or $2.01 per share(2) for the third quarter of 2012 compared with $2.5 million or $nil per share in 2011.
The $9.3 million increase in net operating income for the third quarter of 2012 versus 2011 is due to a $16.6 million increase in the life insurance operation (“Empire Life”) and a $5.7 million increase in E-L Corporate. Empire Life-s increase resulted from primarily improved individual insurance product line results as long-term interest rate volatility and stock market conditions during the quarter improved from last year-s unfavourable conditions. These increases were partially offset by the general insurance operation-s (“The Dominion”) $13.1 million decrease in operating income resulting from an increase in the automobile loss ratio mainly for increases for prior year claims ceded to the Facility Association-s Risk Share Pools and for bodily injury claims, higher weather-related claims and higher commission and operating expenses, partly offset by favourable claims development recorded in the third quarter of 2012 versus unfavourable claims development recorded in the third quarter of 2011.
Consolidated net operating income for the first nine months of 2012 was $105.9 million or $24.29 per share compared with $50.7 million or $10.98 per share in 2011. The $55.2 million increase in net operating income was due to improvements in both The Dominion and Empire Life. The $22.8 million increase in The Dominion-s year to date net operating income reflects favourable prior year claims development recorded in 2012 mainly for Ontario automobile accident benefits claims, in contrast to unfavourable development recorded in the same period in the prior year (mainly for Ontario bodily injury claims) and lower claims expense for weather-related property losses, partly offset by higher commission and operating expenses. Empire Life-s year to date net operating income increased $23.4 million primarily due to the above mentioned long-term interest rate and stock market conditions.
Net income (loss)
E-L Financial earned consolidated net income of $47.5 million or $11.11 per share for the third quarter of 2012 compared with a loss of $94.7 million or $24.71 per share in 2011. The $142.2 million increase in net income for the period reflects a $91.0 million increase in E-L Corporate-s fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”) investments resulting from favourable market returns and a $28.4 million increase in the Company-s share of income from associates.
Consolidated net income for the first nine months of 2012 was $231.7 million or $56.30 per share compared with a loss of $55.9 million or $16.12 per share in 2011. The $287.6 million increase in net income for the period reflects primarily a $149.3 million increase in E-L Corporate-s fair value change in FVTPL investments, a $72.3 million increase in the Company-s share of income from associates and a $55.2 million improvement in net operating income.
Comprehensive income (loss)
E-L Financial earned consolidated comprehensive income of $68.4 million or $16.42 per share for the third quarter of 2012 compared with a loss of $108.4 million or $28.19 per share in 2011. Consolidated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) was $20.9 million for the third quarter of 2012 compared with other comprehensive loss (“OCL”) of $13.7 million in 2011. The $34.6 million increase in OCI for the quarter reflected an increase in the unrealized fair value of available for sale investments compared to a loss in the third quarter of 2011.
Consolidated comprehensive income for the first nine months of 2012 was $248.7 million or $60.62 per share compared with a loss of $73.4 million or $20.56 per share in 2011. Consolidated OCI was $17.0 million for the first nine months of 2012 compared with OCL of $17.5 million in 2011.
“Our third quarter results showed improvement over the prior year, primarily driven by favourable market conditions that had a positive impact at the corporate level and on our insurance operations,” said Duncan Jackman, Chairman, President and CEO of E-L Financial.
CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Contacts:
E-L Financial Corporation Limited
Mark M. Taylor
Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer
(416) 947-2578
(416) 362-2592 (FAX)