Press Releases

Everest Re Group Reports First Quarter 2023 Results


BERMUDA
Seon Place, 4th Floor
Hamilton HM 19, Bermuda

CONTACT
Dawn Lauer
Senior Vice President, Chief Communications Officer
(908) 300-7670

Matt Rohrmann
Head of Investor Relations
(908) 604-7343

HAMILTON, Bermuda--(Business Wire)--Everest Re Group, Ltd. (“Everest” or the “Group”) today reported its first quarter 2023 results.

First Quarter 2023 Highlights

  • Strong year-over-year improvements in Net Operating Income of $443 million, and Net Income of $365 million driven by continued underwriting margin improvement
  • 14.1% Total Shareholder Return, 14.2% Net Income ROE, and 17.2% Operating Income ROE
  • $3.7 billion in gross written premium (“GWP”) with year-over-year growth of 19.5% in constant dollars as reported for the Group, 23.2% in constant dollars excluding reinstatements for Reinsurance and 11.5% in constant dollars for Insurance
  • Combined ratios of 91.2% for the Group, 90.8% for Reinsurance and 92.4% for Insurance driven by improved pricing and lower catastrophe losses year-over-year
  • Strong attritional combined ratios of 87.5% for the Group, 85.9% for Reinsurance and 91.7% for Insurance
  • Pre-tax underwriting income of $273 million, third highest result over past 5 years
  • $110 million of pre-tax catastrophe losses net of estimated recoveries and reinstatement premiums driven by the Turkey earthquake as well as the New Zealand floods and cyclone.
  • Year-over-year improvement in net investment income of $260 million, driven by stronger fixed income returns as new money yields remain attractive
  • Strong operating cashflow for the quarter of $1.1 billion versus $846 million in the first quarter 2022

Footnote 1 in header denotes constant currency figure.

“Everest had a strong start to the year, with first quarter results that delivered significant underwriting profit, a 17.2% operating return on equity and a total shareholder return in excess of 14%,” said Juan C. Andrade, Everest President & CEO. “We delivered profitable growth across both underwriting franchises, particularly in reinsurance, where we continued to drive expanding margins. With our industry leading position, ongoing flight to quality, and relentless execution, we are well equipped to take advantage of market tailwinds. We also continued to invest in scaling our primary business in a disciplined manner. The insurance division generated an increased year-over-year underwriting profit by capitalizing on our diversified portfolio and improved pricing conditions. We advanced many of our strategic objectives this quarter, resulting in improved risk adjusted returns across the portfolio, and continued to manage natural catastrophe volatility demonstrated by the limited exposure to the severe weather events in North America during the quarter. We remain focused on bolstering our world class talent and I am confident in their ability to capitalize on attractive market opportunities in the year ahead.”

Summary of First Quarter 2023 Net Income and Other Items

  • Net Income of $365 million, equal to $9.31 per diluted share versus first quarter 2022 net income of $298 million, equal to $7.56 per diluted share
  • Net operating income of $443 million, equal to $11.31 per diluted share versus first quarter 2022 net operating income of $406 million, equal to $10.31 per diluted share
  • GAAP combined ratio of 91.2% including 3.7 points of catastrophe losses versus the first quarter 2022 figures of 91.6% including 4.1 points of catastrophe losses

The following table summarizes the Company’s Net Income and related financial metrics.

Net income and operating income Q1 Year to Date Q1 Year to Date
All values in USD millions except for per share amounts and percentages

2023

2023

2022

2022

Everest Re Group
Net income (loss)

365

365

298

298

Operating income (loss)(1)

443

443

406

406

Net income (loss) per diluted common share

9.31

9.31

7.56

7.56

Net operating income (loss) per diluted common share

11.31

11.31

10.31

10.31

Net income (loss) return on average equity (annualized)

14.2%

14.2%

11.9%

11.9%

After-tax operating income (loss) return on average equity (annualized)

17.2%

17.2%

16.2%

16.2%

Notes
(1)Refer to the reconciliation of net income to net operating income found on page 7 of this press release
Shareholders' Equity and Book Value per Share Q1 Year to Date Q1 Year to Date
All values in USD millions except for per share amounts and percentages

2023

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

Beginning shareholders' equity

8,441

 

8,441

 

10,139

 

10,139

 

Net income (loss)

365

 

365

 

298

 

1,379

 

Change - unrealized gains (losses) - Fixed inc. investments

249

 

249

 

(811

)

(811

)

Dividends to shareholders

(65

)

(65

)

(61

)

(61

)

Purchase of treasury shares

-

 

-

 

(1

)

(1

)

Other

24

 

24

 

(36

)

(36

)

Ending shareholders' equity

9,014

 

9,014

 

9,528

 

9,528

 

Common shares outstanding

39.3

 

39.4

 

Book value per common share outstanding

229.49

 

241.52

 

Less: Unrealized appreciation/depreciation of fixed maturity investments ("URAD")

(37.15

)

(14.49

)

Adjusted book value per common share outstanding excluding URAD

266.64

 

256.01

 

Change in BVPS adjusted for dividends

7.2

%

Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") - Annualized

14.1

%

Common share dividends paid - last 12 months

6.60

 

6.20

 

The following information summarizes the Company’s underwriting results, on a consolidated basis and by segment – Reinsurance and Insurance, with selected commentary on results by segment.

Underwriting information - Everest Re Group Q1 Year to Date Q1 Year to Date Year on Year Change
All values in USD millions except for percentages

2023

2023

2022

2022

Q1 Year to Date
Gross written premium

3,743

3,743

3,186

3,186

17.5%

17.5%

Net written premium

3,329

3,329

2,812

2,812

18.4%

18.4%

Loss ratio

63.4%

63.4%

64.1%

64.1%

(0.7) pts (0.7) pts
Commission and brokerage ratio

21.3%

21.3%

21.7%

21.7%

(0.4) pts (0.4) pts
Other underwriting expenses

6.4%

6.4%

5.8%

5.8%

0.6 pts 0.6 pts
Combined ratio

91.2%

91.2%

91.6%

91.6%

(0.4) pts (0.4) pts
Attritional combined ratio(1)

87.5%

87.5%

87.4%

87.4%

0.1 pts 0.1 pts
Pre-tax net catastrophe losses(2)

110

110

115

115

Pre-tax net Russia/Ukraine losses

-

-

-

-

Pre-tax net prior year reserve development

-

-

(1)

(1)

Notes
(1) Attritional ratios exclude catastrophe losses, net CAT reinstatement premiums earned, prior year development, COVID-19 losses, CECL and losses from the Russia/Ukriane war
(2) Pre-tax net catastrophe losses are net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums

Reinsurance Segment – Quarterly Highlights

  • Gross written premiums grew 23.2% on a constant dollar basis to $2.64 billion, a new quarterly premium record for the segment, and broad-based, double-digit growth across every business unit.
  • Growth was driven by 19.4% growth in property pro-rata, 27.5% growth in property Cat, 22.1% in Casualty pro-rata as a flight to quality continues across various markets.
  • Robust pricing momentum at April 1 renewal continued, with Cat pricing up over 44% in North America and 26% Internationally, with improved terms/conditions.
  • 90-basis point improvement in the attritional loss ratio to 58.0% year over year and an attritional combined ratio of 85.9% vs 86.2% a year ago.
  • Pre-tax catastrophe losses of $108 million net of estimated recoveries and reinstatement premiums, compared with $110 million a year ago. Catastrophe losses driven by the Turkey Earthquake as well as the New Zealand floods and cyclone.
Underwriting information - Reinsurance segment Q1 Year to Date Q1 Year to Date Year on Year Change
All values in USD millions except for percentages

2023

2023

2022

2022

Q1 Year to Date
Gross written premium

2,637

2,637

2,186

2,186

20.6%

20.6%

Net written premium

2,454

2,454

2,081

2,081

17.9%

17.9%

Loss ratio

62.9%

62.9%

64.1%

64.1%

(1.2) pts (1.2) pts
Commission and brokerage ratio

25.0%

25.0%

24.9%

24.9%

0.1 pts 0.1 pts
Other underwriting expenses

2.8%

2.8%

2.4%

2.4%

0.4 pts 0.4 pts
Combined ratio

90.8%

90.8%

91.4%

91.4%

(0.6) pts (0.6) pts
Attritional combined ratio(1)

85.9%

85.9%

86.2%

86.2%

(0.3) pts (0.3) pts
Pre-tax net catastrophe losses(2)

108

108

110

110

Pre-tax net Russia/Ukraine losses

-

-

-

-

Pre-tax net prior year reserve development

-

-

(2)

(2)

Notes
(1) Attritional ratios exclude catastrophe losses, net CAT reinstatement premiums earned, prior year development, COVID-19 losses, CECL and losses from the Russia/Ukraine war
(2) Pre-tax net catastrophe losses are net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums

Insurance Segment – Quarterly Highlights

  • Gross written premiums of $1.1 billion, an 11.5% increase year-over-year in constant dollars, led by a diversified mix of property, marine, energy and other specialty lines.
  • Strong underwriting profit of $66 million, up 12% year-over-year.
  • Lower catastrophe losses in the quarter at $2 million.
  • Attritional loss ratio of 64.2% slightly up over prior year resulting in attritional combined ratio of 91.7%.
  • The quarter included a one-time current accident-year adjustment of $15 million related to a non-renewed medical stop loss book.
  • Disciplined expense management of 27.7%, an improvement of 10 basis points over prior year.
  • Rate accelerated sequentially for the second straight quarter, driven by property and umbrella.
Underwriting information - Insurance segment Q1 Year to Date Q1 Year to Date Year on Year Change
All values in USD millions except for percentages

2023

2023

2022

2022

Q1 Year to Date
Gross written premium

1,106

1,106

1,001

1,001

10.5%

10.5%

Net written premium

875

875

731

731

19.7%

19.7%

Loss ratio

64.7%

64.7%

64.1%

64.1%

0.6 pts 0.6 pts
Commission and brokerage ratio

11.8%

11.8%

12.5%

12.5%

(0.7) pts (0.7) pts
Other underwriting expenses

15.9%

15.9%

15.3%

15.3%

0.6 pts 0.6 pts
Combined ratio

92.4%

92.4%

91.9%

91.9%

0.5 pts 0.5 pts
Attritional combined ratio(1)

91.7%

91.7%

90.9%

90.9%

0.8 pts 0.8 pts
Pre-tax net catastrophe losses(2)

2

2

5

5

Pre-tax net Russia/Ukraine losses

-

-

-

-

Pre-tax net prior year reserve development

-

-

1

1

Notes
(1) Attritional ratios exclude catastrophe losses, net CAT reinstatement premiums earned, prior year development, COVID-19 losses, CECL and losses from the Russia/Ukraine war
(2) Pre-tax net catastrophe losses are net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums

Investments and Shareholders’ Equity as of March 31, 2023

  • Total invested assets and cash of $31.4 billion versus $29.9 billion on December 31, 2022
  • Shareholders’ equity of $9.0 billion vs. $8.4 billion on December 31, 2022, includes $1.5 billion of unrealized net losses on AFS fixed maturity investments
  • Shareholders’ equity excluding unrealized gains (losses) on AFS fixed maturity investments of $10.5 billion versus $10.1 billion on December 31, 2022
  • Book value per share of $229.49 versus $215.54 at December 31, 2022
  • Book value per share excluding unrealized gains (losses) on AFS fixed maturity investments of $266.64 versus $259.18 at December 31, 2022
  • Common share dividends declared and paid in the quarter of $1.65 per share equal to $65 million

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. Federal securities laws. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made on behalf of the Company. These risks and uncertainties include the impact of general economic conditions and conditions affecting the insurance and reinsurance industry, the adequacy of our reserves, our ability to assess underwriting risk, trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, competition, investment market and investment income fluctuations, trends in insured and paid losses, catastrophes, pandemic, regulatory and legal uncertainties and other factors described in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

A conference call discussing the results will be held at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May 2, 2023. The call will be available on the Internet through the Company’s web site at everestre.com/investors.

Recipients are encouraged to visit the Company’s web site to view supplemental financial information on the Company’s results. The supplemental information is located at www.everestre.com in the “Investors/Financials/Quarterly Results” section of the website. The supplemental financial information may also be obtained by contacting the Company directly.

_______________________________________________

The Company generally uses after-tax operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate its performance. After-tax operating income (loss) consists of net income (loss) excluding after-tax net gains (losses) on investments and after-tax net foreign exchange income (expense) as the following reconciliation displays:

Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

2023

2022

2023

2022

(unaudited) (unaudited)
Per Diluted Per Diluted Per Diluted Per Diluted
Amount Share Amount Share Amount Share Amount Share
After-tax operating income (loss)

$

443

 

$

11.31

 

$

406

 

$

10.31

 

$

443

 

$

11.31

 

$

406

 

$

10.31

 

After-tax net gains (losses) on investments

$

6

 

$

0.14

 

$

(123

)

$

(3.14

)

$

6

 

$

0.14

 

$

(123

)

$

(3.14

)

After-tax net foreign exchange income (expense)

$

(84

)

$

(2.14

)

$

15

 

$

0.39

 

$

(84

)

$

(2.14

)

$

15

 

$

0.39

 

Net income (loss)

$

365

 

$

9.31

 

$

298

 

$

7.56

 

$

365

 

$

9.31

 

$

298

 

$

7.56

 

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)

Although net gains (losses) on investments and net foreign exchange income (expense) are an integral part of the Company’s insurance operations, the determination of net gains (losses) on investments and foreign exchange income (expense) is independent of the insurance underwriting process. The Company believes that the level of net gains (losses) on investments and net foreign exchange income (expense) for any particular period is not indicative of the performance of the underlying business in that particular period. Providing only a GAAP presentation of net income (loss) makes it more difficult for users of the financial information to evaluate the Company’s success or failure in its basic business and may lead to incorrect or misleading assumptions and conclusions. The Company understands that the equity analysts who follow the Company focus on after-tax operating income (loss) in their analyses for the reasons discussed above. The Company provides after-tax operating income (loss) to investors so that they have what management believes to be a useful supplement to GAAP information concerning the Company’s performance.

--Financial Details Follow--

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Three Months Ended

March 31,

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

2023

 

2022

(unaudited)

REVENUES:
Premiums earned

$

3,100

 

$

2,792

 

Net investment income

 

260

 

 

243

 

Net gains (losses) on investments:
Credit allowances on fixed maturity securities

 

(8

)

 

(12

)

Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments

 

4

 

 

(137

)

Net realized gains (losses) from dispositions

 

9

 

 

(5

)

Total net gains (losses) on investments

 

5

 

 

(154

)

Other income (expense)

 

(79

)

 

15

 

Total revenues

 

3,286

 

 

2,896

 

CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

1,966

 

 

1,790

 

Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees

 

661

 

 

605

 

Other underwriting expenses

 

200

 

 

161

 

Corporate expenses

 

19

 

 

14

 

Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense

 

32

 

 

24

 

Total claims and expenses

 

2,878

 

 

2,594

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES

 

408

 

 

302

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

43

 

 

4

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$

365

 

$

298

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period

 

246

 

 

(815

)

Reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)

 

3

 

 

4

 

Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period

 

249

 

 

(811

)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

31

 

 

(34

)

Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net (gain) loss included in net income (loss)

 

-

 

 

1

 

Total benefit plan net gain (loss) for the period

 

-

 

 

1

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

280

 

 

(844

)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

$

645

 

$

(547

)

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic

$

9.31

 

$

7.57

 

Diluted

 

9.31

 

 

7.56

 

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

March 31,

 

December 31,

(Dollars and share amounts in millions, except par value per share)

2023

 

2022

(unaudited)
ASSETS:
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value

$

23,560

 

$

22,236

 

(amortized cost: 2023, $25,247; 2022, $24,191, credit allowances: 2023, ($62); 2022, ($54))
Fixed maturities - held to maturity, at amortized cost
(fair value: 2023, $814; 2022, $821, net of credit allowances: 2023, ($9); 2022, ($9))

 

825

 

 

839

 

Equity securities, at fair value

 

250

 

 

281

 

Other invested assets

 

4,156

 

 

4,085

 

Short-term investments

 

1,034

 

 

1,032

 

Cash

 

1,610

 

 

1,398

 

Total investments and cash

 

31,435

 

 

29,872

 

Accrued investment income

 

235

 

 

217

 

Premiums receivable (net of credit allowances: 2023, ($30); 2022, ($29))

 

3,922

 

 

3,619

 

Reinsurance paid loss recoverables (net of credit allowances: 2023, ($24); 2022, ($23))

 

182

 

 

136

 

Reinsurance unpaid loss recoverables

 

2,125

 

 

2,105

 

Funds held by reinsureds

 

1,071

 

 

1,056

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

1,011

 

 

962

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

611

 

 

610

 

Income tax asset, net

 

387

 

 

459

 

Other assets (net of credit allowances: 2023, ($7); 2022, ($5))

 

860

 

 

930

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$

41,839

 

$

39,966

 

LIABILITIES:
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

22,878

 

 

22,065

 

Future policy benefit reserve

 

29

 

 

29

 

Unearned premium reserve

 

5,418

 

 

5,147

 

Funds held under reinsurance treaties

 

10

 

 

13

 

Other net payable to reinsurers

 

618

 

 

567

 

Losses in course of payment

 

123

 

 

74

 

Senior notes

 

2,348

 

 

2,347

 

Long term notes

 

218

 

 

218

 

Borrowings from FHLB

 

519

 

 

519

 

Accrued interest on debt and borrowings

 

41

 

 

19

 

Unsettled securities payable

 

201

 

 

1

 

Other liabilities

 

422

 

 

526

 

Total liabilities

 

32,825

 

 

31,525

 

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred shares, par value: $0.01; 50.0 shares authorized;
no shares issued and outstanding

 

-

 

 

-

 

Common shares, par value: $0.01; 200.0 shares authorized; (2023) 70.0
and (2022) 69.9 outstanding before treasury shares

 

1

 

 

1

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

2,295

 

 

2,302

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense
(benefit) of ($218) at 2023 and ($250) at 2022

 

(1,716

)

 

(1,996

)

Treasury shares, at cost: 30.8 shares (2023) and 30.8 shares (2022)

 

(3,908

)

 

(3,908

)

Retained earnings

 

12,342

 

 

12,042

 

Total shareholders' equity

 

9,014

 

 

8,441

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

41,839

 

$

39,966

 

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Three Months Ended

March 31,

(Dollars in millions)

2023

 

2022

(unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)

$

365

 

$

298

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable

 

(259

)

 

(14

)

Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net

 

(17

)

 

(67

)

Decrease (increase) in reinsurance recoverables

 

7

 

 

(126

)

Decrease (increase) in income taxes

 

41

 

 

1

 

Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

28

 

 

(7

)

Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

681

 

 

632

 

Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserve

 

-

 

 

(1

)

Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums

 

226

 

 

4

 

Increase (decrease) in other net payable to reinsurers

 

17

 

 

46

 

Increase (decrease) in losses in course of payment

 

47

 

 

(125

)

Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships

 

(5

)

 

(98

)

Distribution of limited partnership income

 

48

 

 

71

 

Change in other assets and liabilities, net

 

(121

)

 

47

 

Non-cash compensation expense

 

12

 

 

12

 

Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount)

 

(1

)

 

19

 

Net (gains) losses on investments

 

(5

)

 

154

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

1,064

 

 

846

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called/repaid - available for sale

 

562

 

 

849

 

Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale

 

72

 

 

419

 

Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called/repaid - held to maturity

 

28

 

 

-

 

Proceeds from equity securities sold

 

46

 

 

90

 

Distributions from other invested assets

 

137

 

 

163

 

Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale

 

(1,613

)

 

(2,011

)

Cost of fixed maturities acquired - held to maturity

 

(11

)

 

-

 

Cost of equity securities acquired

 

(1

)

 

(195

)

Cost of other invested assets acquired

 

(242

)

 

(137

)

Net change in short-term investments

 

4

 

 

355

 

Net change in unsettled securities transactions

 

267

 

 

46

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(752

)

 

(421

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Common shares issued (redeemed) during the period for share-based compensation, net of expense

 

(19

)

 

(14

)

Purchase of treasury shares

 

-

 

 

(1

)

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

(65

)

 

(61

)

Cost of shares withheld on settlements of share-based compensation awards

 

(19

)

 

(17

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(103

)

 

(94

)

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH

 

3

 

 

6

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

212

 

 

337

 

Cash, beginning of period

 

1,398

 

 

1,441

 

Cash, end of period

$

1,610

 

$

1,778

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Income taxes paid (recovered)

$

2

 

$

3

 

Interest paid

 

10

 

 

2

 

About Everest Re Group, Ltd.

Everest Re Group, Ltd. (“Everest”) is a leading global provider of reinsurance and insurance, operating for close to 50 years through subsidiaries in the U.S., Europe, Singapore, Canada, Bermuda and other territories.

Everest offers property, casualty, and specialty products through its various operating affiliates located in key markets around the world.

Everest common stock (NYSE:RE) is a component of the S&P 500 index.

Additional information about Everest, our people, and our products can be found on our website at www.everestglobal.com.