Kirk Lusk
Analyst · Sandler O'Neill. Please go ahead
Thank you, Bruce. Good morning. Net income for the quarter was $2.4 million, and was down from $6.6 million reported during the second quarter of 2017. The main driver of the variance and also the deviations from expectations are due to weather losses and reserve strengthening. Due to the significant impact that these items had on the quarter, I would like to address them first. The net loss ratio was 59.3% for the second quarter of 2018, compared to 15.9% for the second quarter 2017. The impact of the weather-related losses and reserve strengthening impacted the net loss ratio for the quarter by 14.8 points. The loss ratio was partially mitigated by profitability arising from the utilization of our vertically integrated affiliate contractors’ alliance network. We have a geographically diversified portfolio that yields many advantages. However, with that diversification we will occasionally be hit by severe isolated storms. With respect to reserve strengthening, we have continued to evaluate our reserves to ensure that they are adequate and appropriate. One area that we have continued to focus on and to evaluate on an ongoing basis is litigated claims in the state of Florida and in particular, the Tri-County area. Although we believe that we have the fewest litigated claims amongst our peer group, we felt it was necessary to increase our reserves due to the judicial environment in the state. Of the prior period development taken during the second quarter, about 90% was due to litigated claims. We have taken and continue to take actions that we believe will mitigate the future detrimental impact that litigated claims have had upon the company. Those actions include the reserve strengthening in the quarter, as well as her hiring of 16 attorneys to bring all litigated claims in-house. In addition, we took actions in 2016 to reduce our exposure to the Tri-County area, which typically comprises approximately 80% of the litigated claims. We will continue to evaluate our exposures and reserve position and to take the steps necessary to limit the impact on future periods. Operating income was $8.2 million for the quarter, which was down from $13.1 million as of the second quarter of 2017. Looking at the top line, gross premiums written are $264 million, which is an increase of 66% or $105 million from the second quarter of 2017. $89 million of the increase was from NBIC and $15 million was from the Legacy Heritage portfolio. Gross premiums earned were $231 million, which was up $79 million year-over-year. Net premiums earned increased from $90 million at 2Q, 2017 to $111 million at the second quarter 2018, which is a year-over-year increase of 23%. Ceded premiums increased from $62 million to $120 million, reflecting the addition of the catastrophe reinsurance program for NBIC and their various quota share programs on its portion of the business. Correspondingly, the consolidated ceded premium ratio as measured against gross premiums earned, increased to 51.9% from 40.6% in 2Q 2017 and from 41% from year-end 2017. Excluding NBIC, the ceded premium ratio was 37%, and down from the prior year of 41%. This reduction in ceded premium reflects the reinsurance synergies related to portfolio diversification and exposure management. The net expense ratio decreased year-over-year from 41.8% at 2Q, 2017 to 39.4% at the second quarter of 2018. Ceding commissions of $18 million were offset against the acquisition cost and operating expenses in proportion to the expenses associated with the production of business. Our combined ratio for the quarter as a percentage of net premiums earned was 98.7% which is up from the 92.7% as of Q2, 2017. The increase reflects the losses as previously discussed. Moving to the balance sheet, shareholders' equity at June 30, 2018 increased to $386 million from $380 million at the end of 2017. The change predominantly reflects the year-to-date net income offset by the tax-effected change in net unrealized investments, dividends to shareholders, and repurchase of a portion of the convertible notes. Book value per share is $14.98 per diluted share up from $14.67 per share at year end. Total invested assets increased $22 million for the quarter, mostly driven by the receipt of reinsurance recoverable related to Hurricane Irma claims. Bruce and I are now available to take your questions.