American Financial Group, Inc. Announces Second Quarter Results
-
Net earnings per share of
$2.49 ; includes$0.07 per share loss from non-core items -
Second quarter core net operating earnings per share of
$2.56 , 8% higher than the comparable period - Second quarter annualized ROE of 18.0%; core operating ROE of 18.5%
- Second quarter Specialty calendar year combined ratio improved 1.4 points YOY to 90.5%
- Overall average renewal rate increases excluding workers’ compensation of 8%
Core net operating earnings were
|
Three Months Ended |
|||||||||||||||
Components of Pretax Core Operating Earnings |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
In millions, except per share amounts |
Before Impact of |
Alternative |
Core Net Operating |
|||||||||||||
|
Alternative Investments |
Investments |
Earnings, as reported |
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
P&C Pretax Core Operating Earnings |
$ |
286 |
|
$ |
244 |
|
$ |
33 |
$ |
55 |
$ |
319 |
|
$ |
299 |
|
Other expenses |
|
(27 |
) |
|
(22 |
) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(27 |
) |
|
(22 |
) |
Holding company interest expense |
|
(19 |
) |
|
(19 |
) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(19 |
) |
|
(19 |
) |
Pretax Core Operating Earnings |
|
240 |
|
|
203 |
|
|
33 |
|
55 |
|
273 |
|
|
258 |
|
Related provision for income taxes |
|
51 |
|
|
44 |
|
|
7 |
|
12 |
|
58 |
|
|
56 |
|
Core Net Operating Earnings |
$ |
189 |
|
$ |
159 |
|
$ |
26 |
$ |
43 |
$ |
215 |
|
$ |
202 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Core Operating Earnings Per Share |
$ |
2.25 |
|
$ |
1.87 |
|
$ |
0.31 |
$ |
0.51 |
$ |
2.56 |
|
$ |
2.38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Weighted Avg Diluted Shares Outstanding |
|
83.9 |
|
|
85.2 |
|
|
83.9 |
|
85.2 |
|
83.9 |
|
|
85.2 |
|
AFG’s book value per share was
Book value per share excluding AOCI was
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with
In millions, except per share amounts |
Three months ended |
Six months ended |
||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Components of net earnings: |
|
|
|
|||||||||
Core operating earnings before income taxes |
$ |
273 |
|
$ |
258 |
|
$ |
563 |
|
$ |
566 |
|
Pretax non-core items: |
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Realized gains (losses) on securities |
|
(2 |
) |
|
(2 |
) |
|
12 |
|
|
(48 |
) |
Gain (loss) on retirement of debt |
|
- |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
1 |
|
Earnings before income taxes |
|
271 |
|
|
255 |
|
|
575 |
|
|
519 |
|
Provision (credit) for income taxes: |
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Core operating earnings |
|
58 |
|
|
56 |
|
|
117 |
|
|
117 |
|
Non-core items |
|
4 |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
7 |
|
|
(10 |
) |
Total provision for income taxes |
|
62 |
|
|
55 |
|
|
124 |
|
|
107 |
|
Net earnings |
$ |
209 |
|
$ |
200 |
|
$ |
451 |
|
$ |
412 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Net earnings: |
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Core net operating earnings(a) |
$ |
215 |
|
$ |
202 |
|
$ |
446 |
|
$ |
449 |
|
Non-core items: |
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Realized gains (losses) on securities |
|
(2 |
) |
|
(1 |
) |
|
9 |
|
|
(38 |
) |
Other |
|
(4 |
) |
|
(1 |
) |
|
(4 |
) |
|
1 |
|
Net earnings |
$ |
209 |
|
$ |
200 |
|
$ |
451 |
|
$ |
412 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Components of earnings per share: |
||||||||||||
Core net operating earnings(a) |
$ |
2.56 |
|
$ |
2.38 |
|
$ |
5.32 |
|
$ |
5.27 |
|
Non-core Items: |
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Realized gains (losses) on securities |
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
0.11 |
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
Other |
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
0.01 |
|
Diluted net earnings per share |
$ |
2.49 |
|
$ |
2.34 |
|
$ |
5.38 |
|
$ |
4.83 |
|
|
||||||||||||
Footnote (a) is contained in the accompanying Notes to Financial Schedules at the end of this release. |
Carl H. Lindner III and
Messrs. Lindner continued: “AFG continued to have significant excess capital at
Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance Operations
The Specialty P&C insurance operations generated a strong 90.5% combined ratio in the second quarter of 2024, an improvement of 1.4 points from the 91.9% reported in the second quarter of 2023. Second quarter 2024 results include 2.3 points related to catastrophe losses, compared to 3.5 points in the 2023 second quarter. Second quarter 2024 results benefited from 2.3 points of favorable prior year reserve development, compared to 4.0 points in the second quarter of 2023. Underwriting profit was
Second quarter 2024 gross and net written premiums were up 2% and 1%, respectively, when compared to the second quarter of 2023. We continue to achieve year-over-year premium growth as a result of a combination of new business opportunities, increased exposures, and a good renewal rate environment, which was partially offset by later reporting of crop premiums. Tempered growth in the quarter also reflects the Company’s proactive and intentional approach to managing exposure in several of our social inflation-exposed businesses.
Average renewal pricing across our
The
Second quarter 2024 gross and net written premiums in this group were both 2% higher than the comparable prior year. Year-over-year premium growth was primarily attributed to new business opportunities, a favorable rate environment and increased exposures in our commercial auto businesses. Later reporting of crop acreage, which impacts the timing of crop premiums, more than offset additional crop premium associated with the CRS acquisition. Excluding crop, gross and net written premiums in this group grew by 7% and 5%, respectively. Overall renewal rates in this group increased 8% on average in the second quarter of 2024, about a point lower than the pricing achieved in this group for the first quarter of 2024.
The
Second quarter 2024 gross and net written premiums increased 1% and 2%, respectively, when compared to the same prior year period. Approximately two-thirds of the businesses in this group reported year-over-year growth as a result of new business opportunities, higher rates and strong policy retention. This growth was partially offset by non-renewal of several large accounts and other underwriting actions taken in several of our targeted markets businesses. Excluding our workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates for this group were up approximately 7% in the second quarter, about a point lower than the first quarter. Overall renewal rates in this group including workers’ compensation were up about 5% and consistent with the first quarter of 2024.
The
Second quarter 2024 gross written premiums were flat and net written premiums were up 3% in this group, respectively, when compared to the prior year period. Growth in our financial institutions business was partially offset by a decision to pause writing of new intellectual property-related coverage in our Innovative Markets business. Renewal pricing in this group was up approximately 6% for the quarter, about 1 point lower than the previous quarter.
Carl Lindner III stated, “Underwriting profitability was very strong in our Specialty P&C businesses in the second quarter of 2024, and we continue to feel confident about the strength of our reserves. A continued favorable pricing environment and new business opportunities enabled us to selectively grow our Specialty P&C businesses. Growth in net written premium was about 4% for the first six months of the year, as timing of acreage reporting by farmers and underwriting actions in a few of our businesses tempered growth in the second quarter. We expect growth in net written premiums to be approximately 7% for the full year in 2024.”
Further details about AFG’s Specialty P&C operations may be found in the accompanying schedules and in our Quarterly Investor Supplement, which is posted on our website.
Investments
Net Investment Income – For the quarter ended
Non-Core Net Realized Gains (Losses) – AFG recorded second quarter 2024 net realized losses on securities of
After-tax unrealized losses related to fixed maturities were
More information about the components of our investment portfolio may be found in our Quarterly Investor Supplement, which is posted on our website.
About
Forward Looking Statements
This press release, and any related oral statements, contains certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements in this press release not dealing with historical results are forward-looking and are based on estimates, assumptions, and projections. Examples of such forward-looking statements include statements relating to: the Company's expectations concerning market and other conditions and their effect on future premiums, revenues, earnings, investment activities and the amount and timing of share repurchases or special dividends; recoverability of asset values; expected losses and the adequacy of reserves for asbestos, environmental pollution and mass tort claims; rate changes; and improved loss experience.
Actual results and/or financial condition could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: the risks and uncertainties AFG describes in the “Risk Factors” section of its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by its other reports filed with the
The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.
Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call to discuss 2024 second quarter results at
Participants should register for the call here now or any time up to and during the time of the call, and will immediately receive the dial-in number and a unique PIN to access the call. While you may register at any time up to and during the time of the call, you are encouraged to join the call 10 minutes prior to the start of the event.
The conference call and accompanying webcast slides will also be broadcast live over the internet. To access the event, click the following link: https://www.afginc.com/news-and-events/event-calendar. Alternatively, you can choose Events from the Investor Relations page at www.AFGinc.com.
A replay of the webcast will be available via the same link on our website approximately two hours after the completion of the call.
Websites:
www.AFGinc.com
www.GreatAmericanInsuranceGroup.com
(Financial summaries follow)
This earnings release and AFG’s Quarterly Investor Supplement are available in the Investor Relations section of AFG’s website: www.AFGinc.com.
|
|||||||||||
SUMMARY OF EARNINGS AND SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA |
|||||||||||
(In Millions, Except Per Share Data) |
|||||||||||
|
Three months ended |
Six months ended |
|||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|||||||
P&C insurance net earned premiums |
$ |
1,585 |
|
$ |
1,507 |
|
$ |
3,131 |
$ |
2,944 |
|
Net investment income |
|
188 |
|
|
198 |
|
|
386 |
|
415 |
|
Realized gains (losses) on securities |
|
(2 |
) |
|
(2 |
) |
|
12 |
|
(48 |
) |
Income of managed investment entities: |
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Investment income |
|
98 |
|
|
112 |
|
|
197 |
|
216 |
|
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of |
|
|
|
|
|||||||
assets/liabilities |
|
4 |
|
|
- |
|
|
14 |
|
(4 |
) |
Other income |
|
27 |
|
|
25 |
|
|
66 |
|
57 |
|
Total revenues |
|
1,900 |
|
|
1,840 |
|
|
3,806 |
|
3,580 |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Costs and expenses |
|
|
|
||||||||
P&C insurance losses & expenses |
|
1,443 |
|
|
1,390 |
|
|
2,858 |
|
2,683 |
|
Interest charges on borrowed money |
|
19 |
|
|
19 |
|
|
38 |
|
38 |
|
Expenses of managed investment entities |
|
90 |
|
|
103 |
|
|
182 |
|
198 |
|
Other expenses |
|
77 |
|
|
73 |
|
|
153 |
|
142 |
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
1,629 |
|
|
1,585 |
|
|
3,231 |
|
3,061 |
|
|
|
||||||||||
Earnings before income taxes |
|
271 |
|
|
255 |
|
|
575 |
|
519 |
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
62 |
|
|
55 |
|
|
124 |
|
107 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net earnings |
$ |
209 |
|
$ |
200 |
|
$ |
451 |
$ |
412 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Diluted earnings per common share |
$ |
2.49 |
|
$ |
2.34 |
|
$ |
5.38 |
$ |
4.83 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Average number of diluted shares |
|
83.9 |
|
|
85.2 |
|
|
83.9 |
|
85.3 |
|
|
|||||||||||
Selected Balance Sheet Data: |
|
|
|||||||||
Total cash and investments |
$ |
15,261 |
|
$ |
15,263 |
|
|||||
Long-term debt |
$ |
1,475 |
|
$ |
1,475 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|||||||||
Shareholders’ equity(b) |
$ |
4,384 |
|
$ |
4,258 |
|
|||||
Shareholders’ equity (excluding AOCI) |
$ |
4,715 |
|
$ |
4,577 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|||||||||
Book value per share(b) |
$ |
52.25 |
|
$ |
50.91 |
|
|||||
Book value per share (excluding AOCI) |
$ |
56.19 |
|
$ |
54.72 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|||||||||
Common Shares Outstanding |
|
83.9 |
|
|
83.6 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|||||||||
Footnote (b) is contained in the accompanying Notes to Financial Schedules at the end of this release. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
SPECIALTY P&C OPERATIONS |
||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in Millions) |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Three months ended
|
Pct. Change |
Six months ended
|
Pct. Change |
||||||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Gross written premiums |
$ |
2,406 |
|
$ |
2,369 |
|
|
2 |
% |
$ |
4,742 |
|
$ |
4,524 |
|
5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Net written premiums |
$ |
1,692 |
|
$ |
1,667 |
|
|
1 |
% |
$ |
3,326 |
|
$ |
3,186 |
|
4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Ratios (GAAP): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Loss & LAE ratio |
|
59.1 |
% |
|
60.2 |
% |
|
|
58.8 |
% |
|
58.6 |
% |
|
||||
Underwriting expense ratio |
|
31.4 |
% |
|
31.7 |
% |
|
|
31.4 |
% |
|
32.0 |
% |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Specialty Combined Ratio |
|
90.5 |
% |
|
91.9 |
% |
|
|
90.2 |
% |
|
90.6 |
% |
|
||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
Combined Ratio – P&C Segment |
|
90.5 |
% |
|
91.7 |
% |
|
|
90.3 |
% |
|
90.5 |
% |
|
||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Information:(c) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Gross Written Premiums: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Property & Transportation |
$ |
1,084 |
|
$ |
1,059 |
|
|
2 |
% |
$ |
2,043 |
|
$ |
1,931 |
|
6 |
% |
|
Specialty Casualty |
|
1,023 |
|
|
1,012 |
|
|
1 |
% |
|
2,120 |
|
|
2,073 |
|
2 |
% |
|
Specialty Financial |
|
299 |
|
|
298 |
|
|
- |
% |
|
579 |
|
|
520 |
|
11 |
% |
|
|
$ |
2,406 |
|
$ |
2,369 |
|
|
2 |
% |
$ |
4,742 |
|
$ |
4,524 |
|
5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Net Written Premiums: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Property & Transportation |
$ |
681 |
|
$ |
668 |
|
|
2 |
% |
$ |
1,272 |
|
$ |
1,220 |
|
4 |
% |
|
Specialty Casualty |
|
704 |
|
|
693 |
|
|
2 |
% |
|
1,455 |
|
|
1,415 |
|
3 |
% |
|
Specialty Financial |
|
248 |
|
|
240 |
|
|
3 |
% |
|
482 |
|
|
424 |
|
14 |
% |
|
Other |
|
59 |
|
|
66 |
|
|
(11 |
%) |
|
117 |
|
|
127 |
|
(8 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
1,692 |
|
$ |
1,667 |
|
|
1 |
% |
$ |
3,326 |
|
$ |
3,186 |
|
4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Combined Ratio (GAAP): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Property & Transportation |
|
92.9 |
% |
|
94.2 |
% |
|
|
91.0 |
% |
|
92.6 |
% |
|
||||
Specialty Casualty |
|
85.4 |
% |
|
86.6 |
% |
|
|
87.7 |
% |
|
87.1 |
% |
|
||||
Specialty Financial |
|
89.7 |
% |
|
95.0 |
% |
|
|
88.1 |
% |
|
90.8 |
% |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
90.5 |
% |
|
91.9 |
% |
|
|
90.2 |
% |
|
90.6 |
% |
|
||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Three months ended
|
Six months ended
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
Property & Transportation |
$ |
(33 |
) |
$ |
(21 |
) |
$ |
(76 |
) |
$ |
(58 |
) |
|
||||
|
Specialty Casualty |
|
(25 |
) |
|
(24 |
) |
|
(42 |
) |
|
(51 |
) |
|
||||
|
Specialty Financial |
|
- |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
6 |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
||||
|
Other Specialty |
|
22 |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
25 |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
||||
|
|
|
(36 |
) |
|
(61 |
) |
|
(87 |
) |
|
(125 |
) |
|
||||
|
Other |
|
1 |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
2 |
|
|
- |
|
|
||||
|
|
$ |
(35 |
) |
$ |
(62 |
) |
$ |
(85 |
) |
$ |
(125 |
) |
|
||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Points on Combined Ratio: |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
Property & Transportation |
|
(6.2 |
) |
|
(3.8 |
) |
|
(7.2 |
) |
|
(5.7 |
) |
|
||||
|
Specialty Casualty |
|
(3.5 |
) |
|
(3.4 |
) |
|
(2.9 |
) |
|
(3.6 |
) |
|
||||
|
Specialty Financial |
|
0.1 |
|
|
(5.7 |
) |
|
1.2 |
|
|
(3.5 |
) |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
(2.3 |
) |
|
(4.0 |
) |
|
(2.8 |
) |
|
(4.2 |
) |
|
||||
|
Total P&C Segment |
|
(2.2 |
) |
|
(4.2 |
) |
|
(2.7 |
) |
|
(4.3 |
) |
|
||||
Footnote (c) is contained in the accompanying Notes to Financial Schedules at the end of this release. |
Notes to Financial Schedules
a) Components of core net operating earnings (in millions):
|
Three months ended
|
Six months ended
|
||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Core Operating Earnings before Income Taxes: |
|
|
|
|||||||||
P&C insurance segment |
$ |
319 |
|
$ |
299 |
|
$ |
659 |
|
$ |
649 |
|
Interest and other corporate expenses |
|
(46 |
) |
|
(41 |
) |
|
(96 |
) |
|
(83 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Core operating earnings before income taxes |
|
273 |
|
|
258 |
|
|
563 |
|
|
566 |
|
Related income taxes |
|
58 |
|
|
56 |
|
|
117 |
|
|
117 |
|
|
||||||||||||
Core net operating earnings |
$ |
215 |
|
$ |
202 |
|
$ |
446 |
|
$ |
449 |
|
b) Shareholders’ Equity at
c) Supplemental Notes:
- Property & Transportation includes primarily physical damage and liability coverage for buses and trucks and other specialty transportation niches, inland and ocean marine, agricultural-related products and other commercial property coverages.
- Specialty Casualty includes primarily excess and surplus, general liability, executive liability, professional liability, umbrella and excess liability, specialty coverages in targeted markets, customized programs for small to mid-sized businesses and workers’ compensation insurance.
- Specialty Financial includes risk management insurance programs for lending and leasing institutions (including equipment leasing and collateral and lender-placed mortgage property insurance), surety and fidelity products and trade credit insurance.
- Other includes an internal reinsurance facility.
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