AMERISAFE Announces 2023 Second Quarter Results

Reports $15.6 Million of Net Income, Return on Equity of 18.6% and Net Combined Ratio of 85.4% for the quarter

DERIDDER, La., July 27, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AMERISAFE, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMSF), a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on high-hazard industries, today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023.

	Three Months Ended											Six Months Ended
	June 30,											June 30,
	2023				2022				% Change			2023				2022				% Change
	(in thousands, except per share data)											(in thousands, except per share data)
Net premiums earned	$	65,598			$	70,279			-6.7	%		$	134,779			$	137,835			-2.2	%
Net investment income		7,724				6,485			19.1	%			15,157				12,598			20.3	%
Net realized gains on investments (pre-tax)		75				1,079			-93.0	%			333				1,817			-81.7	%
Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities (pre-tax)		2,048				(9,942	)		NM				3,417				(8,902	)		NM
Net income		15,627				6,132			154.8	%			32,966				23,463			40.5	%
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.81			$	0.32			153.1	%		$	1.72			$	1.21			42.1	%
Operating net income (loss)		13,950				13,134			6.2	%			30,004				29,060			3.2	%
Operating earnings per share	$	0.73			$	0.68			7.4	%		$	1.56			$	1.50			4.0	%
Book value per share	$	17.76			$	19.95			-11.0	%		$	17.76			$	19.95			-11.0	%
Net combined ratio		85.4	%			86.7	%						83.9	%			83.4	%
Return on average equity		18.6	%			6.3	%						20.0	%			12.0	%

G. Janelle Frost, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "AMERISAFE’s results in the second quarter reflect the Company’s disciplined approach to the high-hazard workers’ compensation market. Continued competition and rate decreases impacted top-line growth, while the combined ratio of 85.4% and annualized ROE of 18.6% remain industry-leading. Our long tenure, coupled with underwriting expertise and strong balance sheet position AMERISAFE for solid performance and long-term shareholder value creation."

INSURANCE RESULTS
			Three Months Ended											Six Months Ended
			June 30,											June 30,
			2023				2022				% Change			2023				2022				% Change
			(in thousands)											(in thousands)
Gross premiums written			$	71,704			$	74,460			-3.7	%		$	154,191			$	152,251			1.3	%
Net premiums earned				65,598				70,279			-6.7	%			134,779				137,835			-2.2	%
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred				35,645				40,326			-11.6	%			74,654				78,067			-4.4	%
Underwriting and certain other operating costs, commissions, salaries and benefits				19,972				19,913			0.3	%			36,954				35,026			5.5	%
Policyholder dividends				490				688			-28.8	%			1,421				1,877			-24.3	%
Underwriting profit (pre-tax)			$	9,491			$	9,352			1.5	%		$	21,750			$	22,865			-4.9	%
Insurance Ratios:
Current accident year loss ratio				71.0	%			71.0	%						71.0	%			71.0	%
Prior accident year loss ratio				-16.7	%			-13.6	%						-15.6	%			-14.4	%
Net loss ratio				54.3	%			57.4	%						55.4	%			56.6	%
Net underwriting expense ratio				30.4	%			28.3	%						27.4	%			25.4	%
Net dividend ratio				0.7	%			1.0	%						1.1	%			1.4	%
Net combined ratio				85.4	%			86.7	%						83.9	%			83.4	%

• Voluntary premiums on policies written in the quarter were 2.3% lower than the second quarter of 2022, primarily due to continued declines in approved loss costs in the states in which we write business. The average decline in approved loss costs for the second quarter of 2023 versus the second quarter of 2022 was approximately 7.5%.

• Payroll audits increased $0.2 million for the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the second quarter of 2022, offset by $1.0 million in related premium adjustments, which includes endorsements, cancellations, earned-but-unbilled and certain regulatory accruals.

• Ceded premiums increased $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the second quarter of 2022 as we purchased higher levels of reinsurance coverage at generally higher prices in 2023.

• The loss ratio for the second quarter was 54.3%, compared to 57.4% in the second quarter of 2022. During the quarter, the Company experienced favorable net loss reserve development for prior accident years, which reduced loss and loss adjustment expenses by $10.9 million, primarily from accident years 2018 through 2021.

• For the quarter ended June 30, 2023, the underwriting expense ratio was 30.4% compared with 28.3% in the same quarter in 2022. However, expense dollars were flat for the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the second quarter of 2022, with the increased expense ratio this quarter driven by the decline in earned premiums.

• The effective tax rate for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, was 20.1% compared with 13.9% for 2022. The rate was higher than last year due to a decrease in the proportion of tax-exempt interest income relative to underwriting profit.

INVESTMENT RESULTS
	Three Months Ended											Six Months Ended
	June 30,											June 30,
	2023				2022				% Change			2023				2022				% Change
	(in thousands)											(in thousands)
Net investment income	$	7,724			$	6,485			19.1	%		$	15,157			$	12,598			20.3	%
Net realized gains on investments (pre-tax)		75				1,079			-93.0	%			333				1,817			-81.7	%
Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities (pre-tax)		2,048				(9,942	)		NM				3,417				(8,902	)		NM
Pre-tax investment yield		3.2	%			2.5	%						3.2	%			2.4	%
Tax-equivalent yield (1)		3.6	%			2.9	%						3.6	%			2.9	%
________________________________
(1) The tax equivalent yield is calculated using the effective interest rate and the appropriate marginal tax rate.

• Net investment income for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, increased 19.1% to $7.7 million from $6.5 million in the second quarter of 2022, due to higher yields on cash and fixed-income securities.

• Net unrealized gains on equity securities were $2.0 million in the second quarter as a result of generally favorable equity market returns during the quarter.

• As of June 30, 2023, the carrying value of AMERISAFE’s investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, was $962.7 million.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

During the second quarter of 2023, the Company paid a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.34 per share on June 23, 2023 which represented a 9.7% increase in the quarterly dividend compared with 2022. On July 25, 2023 the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.34 per share, payable on September 22, 2023 to shareholders of record as of September 8, 2023.

Book value per share at June 30, 2023 was $17.76, an increase of 7.2% from $16.57 at December 31, 2022.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
			Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
			June 30,								June 30,
			2023				2022				2023				2022
			(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Net income			$	15,627			$	6,132			$	32,966			$	23,463
Less:
Net realized gains on investments				75				1,079				333				1,817
Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities				2,048				(9,942	)			3,417				(8,902	)
Tax effect (1)				(446	)			1,861				(788	)			1,488
Operating net income (2)			$	13,950			$	13,134			$	30,004			$	29,060
Average shareholders’ equity (3)			$	336,711			$	390,131			$	329,000			$	392,156
Less:
Average accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)				(10,792	)			(4,409	)			(12,964	)			2,332
Average adjusted shareholders’ equity (2)			$	347,503			$	394,540			$	341,964			$	389,824
Diluted weighted average common shares				19,196,755				19,332,168				19,200,377				19,367,085
Return on average equity (4)				18.6	%			6.3	%			20.0	%			12.0	%
Operating return on average adjusted equity (2)				16.1	%			13.3	%			17.5	%			14.9	%
Diluted earnings per share			$	0.81			$	0.32			$	1.72			$	1.21
Operating earnings per share (2)			$	0.73			$	0.68			$	1.56			$	1.50

_________________________
(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, 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.
(4) Return on average equity is calculated by dividing the annualized net income by the average shareholders’ equity.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

AMERISAFE has scheduled a conference call for July 28, 2023 at 10:30 AM Eastern Time to discuss the results for the quarter and comment on future periods. To participate in the conference call, dial 323-794-2551 (Conference Code 2247599) 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.

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 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 views and expectations of the workers’ compensation market, the Company’s growth opportunities, underwriting margins and actions by competitors. Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in these statements if the underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect or as the results of risks, uncertainties and other factors on the business and operations of the Company and our policyholders and the market value of our investment portfolio. Additional factors that may affect our results are set forth in the Company’s filings with the 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 publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

- Tables to Follow -

AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
	2023				2022				2023				2022
	(unaudited)								(unaudited)
Revenues:
Gross premiums written	$	71,704			$	74,460			$	154,191			$	152,251
Ceded premiums written		(3,965	)			(2,725	)			(8,144	)			(5,284	)
Net premiums written	$	67,739			$	71,735			$	146,047			$	146,967
Net premiums earned	$	65,598			$	70,279			$	134,779			$	137,835
Net investment income		7,724				6,485				15,157				12,598
Net realized gains on investments		75				1,079				333				1,817
Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities		2,048				(9,942	)			3,417				(8,902	)
Fee and other income		214				135				411				248
Total revenues		75,659				68,036				154,097				143,596
Expenses:
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred		35,645				40,326				74,654				78,067
Underwriting and other operating costs		19,972				19,913				36,954				35,026
Policyholder dividends		490				688				1,421				1,877
Provision for investment related credit loss expense (benefit)		(16	)			(14	)			(35	)			81
Total expenses		56,091				60,913				112,994				115,051
Income before taxes		19,568				7,123				41,103				28,545
Income tax expense		3,941				991				8,137				5,082
Net income	$	15,627			$	6,132			$	32,966			$	23,463

AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income (cont.)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
	(unaudited)						(unaudited)
Basic EPS:
Net income	$	15,627		$	6,132		$	32,966		$	23,463
Basic weighted average common shares		19,139,735			19,273,934			19,135,564			19,302,805
Basic earnings per share	$	0.82		$	0.32		$	1.72		$	1.22
Diluted EPS:
Net income	$	15,627		$	6,132		$	32,966		$	23,463
Diluted weighted average common shares:
Weighted average common shares		19,139,735			19,273,934			19,135,564			19,302,805
Restricted stock and RSUs		57,020			58,234			64,813			64,280
Diluted weighted average common shares		19,196,755			19,332,168			19,200,377			19,367,085
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.81		$	0.32		$	1.72		$	1.21

AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
	June 30,			December 31,
	2023			2022
	(unaudited)
Assets
Investments	$	928,730		$	888,987
Cash and cash equivalents		33,922			61,469
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers		122,721			125,677
Premiums receivable, net		141,943			121,713
Deferred income taxes		23,437			22,794
Deferred policy acquisition costs		18,927			17,401
Other assets		29,235			31,238
	$	1,298,915		$	1,269,279
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses	$	684,613		$	696,037
Unearned premiums		126,244			114,976
Insurance-related assessments		18,015			17,653
Other liabilities		129,476			123,181
Shareholders’ equity		340,567			317,432
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,298,915		$	1,269,279

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Contacts

Andy Omiridis, EVP & CFO
AMERISAFE
337.463.9052