FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — (Marketwire) — 03/08/13 — (NYSE MKT: UVE), a vertically integrated insurance holding company, reported net income of $4.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, an increase of $0.17, for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to a net loss of $2.3 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the same period in 2011.
For the full year of 2012, the Company reported net income of $30.3 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.75, an increase of 50.0 percent, compared to net income of $20.1 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the same period of 2011.
President and CEO Sean Downes commented, “Our full-year 2012 results reflect the successful execution of our business plan leading to better underwriting margins compared to a year ago. Through successful growth initiatives and favorable rate changes, we were able to grow our top line by 8.1 percent in 2012 while maintaining underwriting discipline and managing our overall exposure to catastrophic risk. We are pleased that this 2012 profitability led to 9.0 percent growth in stockholders- equity and allowed us to declare and pay dividends totaling $0.46 per share during the year.”
Net income during the fourth quarter of 2012 increased $6.7 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, primarily as a result of an increase in net earned premiums. The improvement in fourth quarter 2012 profitability was somewhat mitigated by pre-tax charges of $6.3 million related to the previously disclosed mandatory assessment by the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA). The Company will recover the assessment from the policyholders of Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC) over an estimated twelve-month period which began on February 1, 2013.
Direct premiums written collectively by UPCIC and American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company, the Company-s wholly-owned insurance company subsidiaries, rose 6.8 percent during the fourth quarter of 2012. Net premiums earned grew $15.5 million, or 29.8 percent, in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the same quarter in 2011, primarily as a result of increases in premium rates over the past 24 months, and a reduction in the quota-share cession rate from 50 percent for the 2011-2012 reinsurance program to 45 percent for the 2012-2013 reinsurance program.
Fourth-quarter 2012 operating costs increased by 5.9 percent compared to the same quarter last year, as general and administrative expenses increased $12.4 million, or 64.2 percent, partly attributable to the FIGA assessment mentioned above. Meanwhile, somewhat mitigating the rise in operating costs was a reduction in losses and loss adjustment expenses of $8.7 million, or 20.2 percent.
At December 31, 2012, stockholders- equity was $163.5 million compared to $166.0 million at September 30, 2012, and $150.0 million at December 31, 2011.
For the full year of 2012, the Company-s net income and diluted earnings per share grew by 50.7 percent and 50.0 percent, respectively, compared to the same period of 2011.
Net premiums earned increased 16.1 percent for the full year of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011, primarily as a result of the previously mentioned rate increases, which have had a positive effect on premium generated by renewal policies, and the reduction in the quota-share cession rate.
On November 28, 2012, the Company announced that its board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share of common stock, which was paid on December 28, 2012 to shareholders of record on December 14, 2012. In total, $0.46 per share in cash dividends were declared and paid in 2012.
Also, on February 8, 2013, the Company announced that its board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.08 per share of common stock to be paid on April 5, 2013 to shareholders of record on March 14, 2013. The board further indicated that it expects to declare additional quarterly dividends in the same amount to shareholders of record in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2013. If declared and paid as intended, the annual dividend in 2013 would be $0.32 for each common share.
On February 7, 2013, the Company announced that UPCIC received approval from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation for premium rate increases for its homeowners and dwelling fire programs within Florida. The premium rate increases are expected to average approximately 14.1 percent statewide for its homeowners program and 14.5 percent statewide for its dwelling fire program. The effective dates for the homeowners program rate increase are January 18, 2013, for new business and March 9, 2013, for renewal business. The effective dates for the dwelling fire program rate increase are January 14, 2013, for new business and March 3, 2013, for renewal business.
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a vertically integrated insurance holding company performing all aspects of insurance underwriting, distribution and claims. Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is one of the three leading writers of homeowners insurance in Florida and is now fully licensed and has commenced its operations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Hawaii, Georgia, Massachusetts and Maryland. American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company (APPCIC), also a wholly owned subsidiary, currently writes homeowners multi-peril insurance on Florida homes valued in excess of $1 million, which are limits and coverages currently not targeted through its affiliate UPCIC. For additional information on the Company, please visit our investor relations website at .
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Such statements may include commentary on plans, products and lines of business, marketing arrangements, reinsurance programs and other business developments and assumptions relating to the foregoing. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future results could differ materially from those described and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements. For further information regarding risk factors that could affect the Company-s operations and future results, refer to the Company-s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Philip Kranz
Dresner Corporate Services
312-780-7240