ROCK ISLAND, Ill., July 29, 2019 /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 second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019.

SECOND QUARTER AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 – FINANCIAL RESULTS

Net earnings totaled $482,000 or $0.16 per share for the second quarter of 2019, compared to a net loss of $209,000 or $0.07 per share for the second quarter of 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company reported net earnings of $771,000 or $0.26 per share, compared to $467,000 or $0.15 per share for the same period in 2018. Additionally, book value per share increased 6.1% to $18.84 from $17.76.

Direct premiums written grew by $761,000, or 4.7%, to $16,785,000 for the second quarter of 2019 from $16,024,000 for the same period in 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, direct premiums written grew by $1,632,000, or 5.4%, to $32,044,000 from $30,412,000 for the same period in 2018. Net premiums earned grew by 14.0% to $13,094,000 for the second quarter of 2019 from $11,485,000 for the same period in 2018. Net premiums earned grew by 12.1% to $25,540,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2019, from $22,782,000 for the same period in 2018.

For the second quarter of 2019, the Company ceded to reinsurers $2,425,000 of earned premiums, compared to $2,732,000 of earned premiums for the second quarter of 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company ceded $5,273,000 of earned premiums to reinsurers compared to $4,980,000 of earned premiums for the same period in 2018.  

Net realized investment gains including other-than-temporary impairment losses were $647,000 compared to losses of $30,000 for the second quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, net realized investment gains net of other-than-temporary impairment losses, decreased by $472,000 to $600,000 from $1,072,000 for the same period in 2018. The net realized investment gains net of other-than-temporary impairment losses for the six months ended June 30, 2018, resulted from the Company liquidating common stock securities as part of the transition to a new equity manager during the first quarter of 2018.

Net investment income increased by $115,000, or 16.8%, to $800,000 for the second quarter of 2019, as compared to $685,000 for the same period in 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, net investment income grew $208,000, or 15.0% to $1,596,000 from $1,388,000 for the same period in 2018. The growth in net investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2019, was driven by increased book yield and an increase in net asset value for much of the period.

Losses and settlement expenses increased by $1,110,000, or 14.2%, to $8,901,000 for the second quarter of 2019, from $7,791,000 for the same period in 2018. Losses and settlement expenses increased by $2,722,000, or 17.2% to $18,508,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2019, from $15,786,000 for the same period in 2018. Losses and settlement expenses increased for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019, primarily due to an increase in property losses.

Policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses increased by $520,000, or 11.6%, to $4,996,000 for the second quarter of 2019 from $4,476,000 for the same period in 2018. Policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses increased by $1,233,000, or 14.3%, to $9,846,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2019, from $8,613,000 for the same period in 2018. The primary driver relates to restructuring 2019 reinsurance contracts to eliminate all ceding commissions on primary excess of loss contracts. This change increases the Company's overall net earned premiums by the same amount as the decrease in ceding commission.  

Total assets increased by 8.6% from $150,283,000 at December 31, 2018, to $163,266,000 at June 30, 2019. Our investment portfolio, which consists of fixed maturity securities, common stocks, preferred stocks, property held for investment, and other invested assets, increased by 3.8% from $104,565,000 at December 31, 2018, to $108,531,000 at June 30, 2019.

SECOND QUARTER AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 – FINANCIAL RATIOS

The Company's losses and settlement expense ratio (defined as losses and settlement expenses divided by net premiums earned) was 68.0% and 72.5% in the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared with 67.8% and 69.3% in the same periods of 2018, respectively.

The expense ratio (defined as the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and underwriting and administrative expenses divided by net premiums earned) was 38.1% and 38.6% in the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to 39.0% and 37.8% in the same periods of 2018, respectively.

The Company's GAAP combined ratio (defined as the sum of the losses and settlement expense ratio and the expense ratio) was 106.1% and 111.0% in the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to 106.8% and 107.1% in the same periods of 2018, respectively.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

"I am pleased to report that the Company continues to produce positive earnings per share.  The 2019 second quarter earnings per share and combined ratio was an improvement over the same period in 2018.  Weather-related net losses continue to restrict current year earnings and are up approximately 50% over the prior year-to-date period. We continue to see top line premium and investment-related growth, driven primarily by improved premium rate adequacy and increased book yield on invested assets.  Direct written premium has grown 5.4%, while the policies in force count has grown by only 1.5%.  As planned, the Company increased its premium retention year over year from 82.6% to 83.7%.  Although our combined ratio remains above target, it has improved both for the current year and as compared to the second quarter of 2018. This positive momentum is the result of continued rate strengthening and focused exposure reductions; we expect these initiatives will continue to improve the overall combined ratio for the remainder of the year. 

"Looking to 2020, our marketing team continues laying the groundwork in Pennsylvania, and the Company remains on target to begin writing business in January.  In the second quarter, the Company applied for licensure in both Utah and Arizona and has commitments from current agency partners to produce in these states.  We anticipate obtaining these additional licenses in 2020. 

"I am pleased to see the positive movement in the second quarter and prospects going forward for ICCH," stated Arron Sutherland, President and Chief Executive Officer.

EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

The Company will hold a conference call on August 22, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. CT to discuss results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019.

Teleconference:

Dial-in information for the call is 1-866-595-5224 (toll-free) or 1-636-812-6497, passcode 8129597.

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, 2018. No undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE ICC Holdings, Inc.