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ICC Holdings, Inc. Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Feb. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ICC Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICCH) (the Company), parent company of Illinois Casualty Company, a regional, multi-line property and casualty insurance company focusing exclusively on the food and beverage industry, today reported preliminary, unaudited results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017.

ICC Holdings, Inc. Logo

FOURTH QUARTER AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 – FINANCIAL RESULTS

Net earnings totaled $452,000 or $0.14 per share for the quarter of 2017, compared to net earnings of $1,225,000 for the fourth quarter of 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company reported net earnings of $717,000 or $0.23 per share, compared to $2,810,000 for the same period in 2016.

Direct premium written grew by $1,281,000, or 10.8%, to $13,143,000 for the fourth quarter of 2017 from $11,862,000 for the same period in 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2017, direct premiums grew by $2,639,000, or 5.2%, to $53,670,000 from $51,031,000 for the same period in 2016. Net premiums earned grew by 5.1% and 3.8%, respectively, for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017.

For the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company ceded to reinsurers $1,956,000 of earned premiums, compared to $1,939,000 of earned premiums for the fourth quarter of 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company ceded $7,948,000 of earned premiums to reinsurers compared to $7,898,000 of earned premiums for the same period in 2016.

Net realized investment gains were $622,000 compared to net realized investment gains of $18,000 for the fourth quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2017, net realized investment gains increased by $971,000 to $1,008,000 from $37,000 for the same period in 2016. These increases were a result of the Company liquidating assets to secure the funding used to purchase the ESOP shares in the first quarter of 2017 and liquidating an ETF position in the 4th quarter of 2017 to be in compliance with the Illinois Department of Insurance regulations.

Net investment income increased by $248,000, or 46.4%, during the fourth quarter of 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2017, net investment income grew $664,000, or 33.7% to $2,632,000 from $1,968,000 for the same period in 2016. The growth in net investment income is primarily from the increase in the size of the available for sale securities portfolio.

Losses and settlement expenses increased by $1,850,000, or 32.8%, to $7,483,000 for the fourth quarter of 2017, from $5,633,000 for the same period in 2016. Losses and settlement expenses increased by $4,665,000, or 19.2%, to $29,010,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017, from $24,345,000 for the same period in 2016.  The increase in losses and settlement expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 is primarily due to an increase in fire losses and higher retention of property losses compared to the same period in 2016.

Policy acquisition costs are costs incurred to issue policies, which include commissions, premium taxes, underwriting reports, and underwriter compensation costs. The Company offsets the direct commissions it pays with ceded commissions it receives from reinsurers. Other operating expenses consist primarily of information technology costs, accounting and internal control salaries, as well as audit and legal expenses. Policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses increased by $449,000, or 11.1%, to $4,500,000 for the fourth quarter of 2017 from $4,051,000 for the same period in 2016. Policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses increased by $1,450,000, or 9.1%, to $17,299,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017, from $15,849,000 for the same period in 2016. The increases in policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 are primarily driven by increases in the other operating expenses. This principally is due to additional costs associated with operating as a public company which did not occur in previous years.

Total assets increased by 24.7 % from $122,160,000 at December 31, 2016 to $152,334,000 at December 31, 2017, primarily as a result of our initial public offering completed during the first quarter of 2017.  Our investment portfolio, which consists of fixed maturity securities, common stocks, preferred stocks, and property held for investment, increased by 38.1% from $76,122,000 at December 31, 2016 to $105,133,000 at December 31, 2017, as a result of deploying the net proceeds from our completed initial public offering.

FOURTH QUARTER AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 – FINANCIAL RATIOS

The Company's loss and settlement expense ratio (defined as loss and settlement expenses divided by net premiums earned) was 65.2% and 65.6% in the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, respectively, compared with 51.6% and 57.1% for the same periods in 2016, respectively.

The expense ratio (defined as the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and underwriting and administrative expenses divided by net premiums earned) was 39.2% and 39.1% in the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, respectively, compared with 37.1% and 37.2% for the same periods in 2016, respectively.

The Company's GAAP combined ratio (defined as the sum of the losses and settlement expense ratio and the expense ratio) was 104.5% and 104.7% in the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, respectively, compared to 88.7% and 94.3% for the same periods in 2016, respectively.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

"The Company continued to have strong results in the core liquor liability line and profitable workers' compensation experience. However, the Company experienced an above normal frequency and severity of fire losses in comparison to previous years. Although financial results were not as favorable as we had anticipated, we saw significant improvements during the fourth quarter in comparison to the third quarter of 2017. The Company is optimistic that the trend marks a return to historical loss levels.

"Recent geographic expansion efforts into Colorado, Kansas, and Ohio generated strong, double-digit, top-line premium growth for the fourth quarter of 2017. The Company is committed to maintaining its traditional underwriting discipline throughout this growth phase.

"We are excited to report that 2018 is off to a record start in premium growth. This is further evidence of the success of our geographic expansion efforts. We anticipate this momentum will continue to build as we start quoting business in Michigan for the second quarter of 2018," stated Arron Sutherland, President and Chief Executive Officer.

EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

The Company will hold a conference call on Wednesday, April 4th, 2018 at 1:30 CT to discuss results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017.

Teleconference:

Dial-in information for the call is 866-595-5224 (toll-free domestic) or 636-812-6497.

ABOUT ICC HOLDINGS, INC.

ICC Holdings, Inc. is a vertically integrated company created to facilitate the growth, expansion and diversification of its subsidiaries in order to maximize value to its stakeholders.  The group of companies consolidated under ICC Holdings, Inc. engages in diverse, yet complementary business activities, including property and casualty insurance, real estate, and information technology.

The Company's common shares trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbol "ICCH". For more information about ICC Holdings, visit http://ir.iccholdingsinc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release, and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release, contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, or the Reform Act, which may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements identified by words such as "believe," "plan," "seek," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "will," and similar expressions. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including statements relating to revenue and profit growth, product and segment expansion, regulatory approval in connection with expansion, and market share, as well as statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. The forward-looking statements are based on management's current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies and changes in circumstances, many of which are beyond the Company's control. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

Although the Company does not make forward-looking statements unless it believes it has a reasonable basis for doing so, the Company cannot guarantee their accuracy. The foregoing factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. For a list of other factors which could affect the Company's results, see the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," including "Forward-Looking Information," set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. No undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements.

ICC Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

















As of



December 31,


December 31,



2017


2016



(Unaudited)




Assets







Investments and cash:







Available for sale securities, at fair value







Fixed maturity securities (amortized cost - $87,773,047 at 12/31/2017 and $62,929,091 at 12/31/2016)


 

$

89,605,073


 

$

64,134,023



Common stocks¹ (cost - $7,631,180 at 12/31/2017 and $6,311,708 at 12/31/2016)



8,534,109



6,982,547





Preferred stocks (cost - $3,783,311 at 12/31/2017 and $2,925,434 at 12/31/2016)



3,867,429



2,798,413





Property held for investment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $271,144 at 12/31/2017 and $50,948 at 12/31/2016



3,126,566



2,207,424





Cash and cash equivalents



6,876,519



4,376,847

Total investments and cash



112,009,696



80,499,254

Accrued investment income



687,453



524,156

Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $50,000 at 12/31/2017 and 12/31/2016



18,637,108



17,479,487





Ceded unearned premiums



274,972



270,751

Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $0 at 12/31/2017 and 12/31/2016



10,405,989



12,114,998





Current federal income taxes



573,147



149,252

Net deferred federal income taxes



349,257



888,254

Federal income taxes



922,404



1,037,506

Deferred policy acquisition costs, net



4,592,415



4,162,927

Property and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,303,454 at 12/31/2017 and $4,308,247 at 12/31/2016



3,503,903



3,719,535



Other assets



1,301,421



2,351,347

Total assets


$

152,335,361


$

122,159,961

Liabilities and Equity







Liabilities:







Unpaid losses and settlement expenses


$

51,074,126


$

52,817,254

Unearned premiums



26,555,582



24,777,712

Reinsurance balances payable



327,483



109,790

Corporate debt



4,339,208



3,786,950

Accrued expenses



4,265,089



4,827,042

Other liabilities



1,663,415



2,241,003

Total liabilities



88,224,903



88,559,751

Equity:







Common stock2



35,000



Additional paid-in capital



32,333,290



Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of tax



2,227,069



1,154,175

Retained earnings



32,796,319



32,446,035

Less: Unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan shares at cost3



(3,281,220)



Total equity



64,110,458



33,600,210

Total liabilities and equity


$

152,335,361


$

122,159,961


1Common stock securities consist of exchange trade funds (ETF) made up primarily of Dividends Select and the S&P 500

2Par value $0.01; authorized: 2017 - 10,000,000 shares and 2016 - 0 shares; issued: 2017 - 3,500,000 and 2016 - 0 shares; outstanding: 2017 - 3,171,878 and 2016 - 0 shares.

32017 – 328,122 shares and 2016 - 0 shares

 

ICC Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings (Unaudited)

















For the Three-Months Ended



December 31,



2017


2016

Net premiums earned


$

11,472,959


$

10,916,774

Net investment income



783,077



534,933

Net realized investment (losses) gains



621,632



18,144

Other-than-temporary impairment losses





Other income



127,480



150,527

Consolidated revenues



13,005,148



11,620,378

Losses and settlement expenses



7,482,790



5,633,473

Policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses



4,499,708



4,050,633

Interest expense on debt



51,030



85,910

General corporate expenses



103,449



127,801

Total expenses



12,136,977



9,897,817

(Loss) earnings before income taxes



868,171



1,722,561

Income tax expense:







Current



379,844



453,867

Deferred



36,701



43,832

Total income tax (benefit) expense



416,545



497,699

Net (loss) earnings


$

451,626


$

1,224,862








Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax



178,306



(1,288,656)

Comprehensive (loss) earnings


$

629,932


$

(63,794)








(Loss) earnings per share1:







Basic:







Basic net (loss) earnings per share


$

0.14


$

0.39

Diluted:







Diluted net (loss) earnings per share


$

0.14


$

0.39








Weighted average number of common shares outstanding2:







Basic



3,167,344



3,150,000

Diluted



3,167,344



3,150,000


1The unaudited pro forma earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2016 is provided as a basis for comparison of current period earnings.

2Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2016 is based on the resulting shares from the initial public offering that was completed in March 2017.

 

ICC Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings (Unaudited)

















For the Twelve-Months Ended



December 31,



2017


2016

Net premiums earned


$

44,213,271


$

42,611,365

Net investment income



2,632,498



1,967,938

Net realized investment gains



1,064,577



249,923

Other-than-temporary impairment losses



(57,316)



(212,731)

Other income



325,127



254,447

Consolidated revenues



48,178,157



44,870,942

Losses and settlement expenses



29,009,833



24,344,551

Policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses



17,298,787



15,848,547

Interest expense on debt



225,379



226,095

General corporate expenses



555,109



464,383

Total expenses



47,089,108



40,883,576

Earnings before income taxes



1,089,049



3,987,366

Income tax expense:







Current



197,200



986,066

Deferred



175,085



190,903

Total income tax (benefit) expense



372,285



1,176,969

Net earnings


$

716,764


$

2,810,397








Earnings per share1:







Basic:







Basic net earnings per share


$

0.23


$

0.89

Diluted:







Diluted net earnings per share


$

0.23


$

0.89








Weighted average number of common shares outstanding2:







Basic



3,158,163



3,150,000

Diluted



3,158,163



3,150,000


1The unaudited pro forma earnings per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 is provided as a basis for comparison of current period earnings.

2Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 is based on the resulting shares from the initial public offering that was completed in March 2017.

 

Contact Info:  Arron K. Sutherland, President and CEO
Illinois Casualty Company
(309) 732-0105
arrons@ilcasco.com 
225 20th Street, Rock Island, IL  61201

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SOURCE ICC Holdings, Inc.


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