IGI Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Condensed and Unaudited Financial Results
Added: (Mon Mar 14 2022)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Amman-Jordan ( March 2022): -- International General Insurance Holdings Ltd. (“IGI” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: IGIC) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2021.
Highlights for the fourth quarter and full year of 2021 include:
(in millions of U.S. Dollars, except percentages and per share informatio n)
Quarter Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2021 2020
Gross written premiums $163.5 $129.5 $545.6 $467.3
Net premiums earned $86.2 $73.9 $345.2 $283.5
Net underwriting results $30.6 $14.7 $105.8 $77.4
Total investment income, net (1) $2.2 $3.4 $14.2 $11.5
Profit for the period $9.1 $7.6 $43.6 $27.2
Combined ratio (2) 83.8% 96.8% 86.4% 89.3%
Earnings per share (Basic and Diluted) (3) $0.19 $0.16 $0.89 $0.59
Return on average equity (annualized) (4) 9.2% 8.2% 11.1% 7.9%
Core operating income (4) $13.6 $4.5 $53.1 $35.6
Core operating earnings per share (Basic and Diluted) (4) $0.28 $0.09 $1.09 $0.77
Core operating return on average equity (annualized) (4) 13.7% 4.9% 13.6% 10.3%
(1) See Note (1) in the “Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)” below.
(2) See “Supplementary Financial Information” below.
(3) See Note (3) in the “Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)” below.
(4) See the section titled “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” below.
IGI Chairman and CEO Mr. Wasef Jabsheh said, “2021 was another excellent year for IGI as we reported consistently strong quarterly underwriting results and earnings, culminating in one of the best years in our 20-year history.”
“IGI is a diverse group of individual risk underwriters with recognized expertise in many specialty lines. We have grown our business organically since inception, and the past two years have seen an acceleration of that. In 2021, on the back of significant growth in 2020, we increased our gross premiums more than 16% to $546 million, expanding into new lines and markets. We reported record underwriting income for the fourth quarter and year in 2021 and a combined ratio of 83.8% for the fourth quarter and 86.4% for the year. With our asset base now approaching $1.5 billion, we expect to continue our strong performance in 2022, focusing on our core strengths and capitalizing on sector tail winds.”
“As we mark our twentieth year in business, I’m deeply proud of our successes and the commitment and focus demonstrated by our people at IGI,” Mr. Jabsheh said. “We have achieved these record results and continued to deliver high levels of service to our clients while continuing to navigate a prolonged period of global uncertainty. I look forward to our future with confidence, knowing that we are building on a very solid foundation that will continue to deliver strong total value creation to all our stakeholders.”
Results for the Quarters and Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Profit for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 was $9.1 million, compared to profit of $7.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2020.
Core operating income, a non-IFRS measure defined below, was $13.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, a significant increase over the core operating income of $4.5 million for the comparable period in 2020. The improvement in core operating income in the fourth quarter of 2021 was primarily the result of an increase in net premiums earned and a lower level of net claims and claim adjustment expenses when compared to the same quarter in 2020. The quarter ended December 31, 2021 benefited from a 13.0 point improvement in the combined ratio primarily driven by an increase in net premiums earned and favorable development of net loss reserves from prior accident years compared to unfavorable development for the same period in 2020.
The core operating return on average equity (annualized) increased 8.8 points to 13.7% for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.
Profit was $43.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to profit of $27.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Core operating income was $53.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to core operating income of $35.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The improvement in core operating income in the full year of 2021 compared to the full year of 2020 was primarily driven by an increase in net premiums earned and total investment income, net, partially offset by an increase in net claims and claim adjustment expenses, net policy acquisition expenses, and general and administrative expenses.
The core operating return on average equity increased 3.3 points to 13.6% for the full year of 2021 from 10.3% for the full year of 2020.
Underwriting Results
The net underwriting results improved to $30.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 from $14.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, largely driven by growth in net premiums earned and a lower level of net claims and claim adjustment expenses.
Gross written premiums were $163.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, representing growth of 26.3% compared to gross written premiums of $129.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2020. The increase in gross written premiums was the result of new business generated across all segments and virtually all lines, as well as rate increases on existing business.
The net claims and claims expense ratio was 46.8% for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared to 59.8% for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, primarily driven by favorable development of net loss reserves from prior accident years of $5.7 million or 6.6 points, compared to unfavorable development of $5.4 million or 7.3 points for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, coupled with the increase in net premiums earned. The favorable development of net loss reserves for prior accident years in the fourth quarter of 2021 was primarily in the Long-tail Segment and to a lesser extent in the Reinsurance Segment.
The general and administrative expense ratio increased 2.4 points to 19.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021, largely due to increased costs in salaries related to new hires and investment in technology infrastructure to support the Company’s growth, as well as some non-recurring legal and professional fees.
The combined ratio for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 was 83.8% compared to 96.8% for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 and benefited from an increase in net premiums earned and favorable development of net loss reserves from prior accident years during the quarter.
The net underwriting results improved to $105.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $77.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, largely driven by growth in net premiums earned.
Gross written premiums were $545.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $467.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, representing an increase of 16.8%. The increase in gross written premiums was the result of new business generated in all segments and across virtually all lines as well as rate increases on existing business. While market conditions remained positive, the Company also continued to further refine its existing portfolio, achieving improved terms and conditions for the full year of 2021.
The net claims and claims expense ratio was 51.0% for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 53.5% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The net claims and claims expense ratio benefitted from higher favorable development of net loss reserves from prior accident years of $16.1 million, or 4.7 points, for the full year of 2021, compared to favorable development of $6.1 million, or 2.2 points, for the full year 2020, coupled with the increase in net premiums earned. The favorable development of net loss reserves from prior accident years for the full year 2021 was recorded primarily in the Long-tail Segment and to a lesser extent in the Short-tail and Reinsurance segments.
The general and administrative expense ratio increased 0.5 point to 17.1% for the full year 2021, when compared to the full year 2020, as the higher net premiums earned for the full year 2021 largely offset increased salary costs from new hires, increased technology infrastructure costs and non-recurring legal and professional costs.
The combined ratio for the year ended December 31, 2021 was 86.4%, compared to 89.3% for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Segment Results
The Long-tail Segment, which represented approximately 44% of the Company’s gross written premiums for the full year 2021, includes all professional and financial lines written by the Company, including D&O, professional indemnity, financial institutions, legal expenses, as well as surety, marine liability, inherent defects insurance, and general third-party liability (non-U.S. casualty).
Gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2021 in the Long-tail Segment increased 20.1% to $82.9 million from $69.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. Net premiums earned for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 were $40.0 million, compared to $38.5 million in the comparable quarter in 2020. The net underwriting results for this segment were a profit of $11.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to a loss of $0.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The growth in net underwriting results was primarily due to higher net premiums earned, coupled with a lower level of net claims and claim adjustment expenses in the fourth quarter of 2021, which benefited from favorable development of net loss reserves from prior accident years. This compares to the fourth quarter of 2020, which was negatively impacted by unfavorable development of net loss reserves from prior accident years.
Gross written premiums for the full year of 2021 in the Long-tail Segment were $239.6 million, representing an increase of 13.8% from $210.5 million for the full year 2020. Net premiums earned for the full year of 2021 were $167.6 million, compared to $141.4 million for the full year of 2020. The net underwriting results for this segment were $50.9 million for the full year of 2021, compared to $25.5 million for the comparable period in 2020. The growth in net underwriting results was primarily due to the higher level of net premiums earned in 2021 coupled with a lower level of net claims and claim adjustment expenses, which benefited from higher favorable development of net loss reserves from prior accident years, partially offset by an increase in net policy acquisition expenses.
The Short-tail Segment, which represented approximately 52% of the Company’s gross written premiums for the full year of 2021, includes energy, property, general aviation, ports and terminals, marine trades, marine cargo, contingency, construction and engineering, and political violence.
Gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2021 in the Short-tail Segment were $76.6 million, an increase of 32.8% compared to $57.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Net premiums earned for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 were $39.7 million, compared to $30.0 million in the comparable quarter in 2020. The net underwriting results for this segment were $20.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $2.5 million for the comparable quarter in 2020. The fourth quarter of 2021 benefited from the increase in net premiums earned, partially offset by an increase in net claims and claim adjustment expenses, primarily relating to the South Africa riots in the political violence line of business.
Gross written premiums for the full year 2021 in the Short-tail Segment increased to $282.0 million, compared to $237.5 million for the full year of 2020. Net premiums earned for the full year of 2021 were $153.9 million, compared to $123.2 million for the full year of 2020. The net underwriting results for this segment were $52.5 million for the full year of 2021, compared to $42.4 million for the full year of 2020. The full year 2021 net underwriting results benefited from the increase in net premiums earned, partially offset by an increase in net claims and claim adjustment expenses, primarily relating to the South Africa riots in the political violence line of business, and an increase in net policy acquisition expenses.
The Reinsurance Segment, which represented approximately 4% of the Company’s gross written premiums for the full year of 2021, includes the Company’s inwards reinsurance portfolio.
Gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2021 in the Reinsurance Segment were $4.0 million, compared to $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Net premiums earned for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 were $6.5 million, compared to $5.4 million for the comparable quarter in 2020. The net underwriting results for this segment were a loss of $1.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, primarily driven by a higher level of net claims and claim adjustment expenses, including the European floods, compared to a profit of $2.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Gross and net written premiums for the full year of 2021 in the Reinsurance Segment were $24.0 million, compared to $19.3 million for the full year 2020. Net premiums earned for the full year of 2021 were $23.7 million, compared to $18.9 million for the full year of 2020. The net underwriting results for this segment were $2.4 million for the full year of 2021, compared to $9.5 million for the full year of 2020. The lower net underwriting results in 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily attributable to a higher level of net claims and claim adjustment expenses, including the European floods.
Foreign Exchange Gains (Losses)
The gain on foreign exchange in the fourth quarter of 2021 was $3.2 million, compared to $ 6.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, both of which largely represent currency revaluation gain. When compared with the fourth quarter of 2020, the fourth quarter of 2021 saw a lesser degree of favorable currency movement in the Company’s major transactional currencies (namely Pound Sterling, Euro and Australian Dollar) against the U.S. Dollar.
The loss on foreign exchange for the full year of 2021 was $4.9 million compared to a gain of $2.5 million for the full year of 2020. The loss for the full year of 2021 was primarily driven by the currency revaluation losses recorded in non-U.S. Dollar monetary assets due to the weakening of the Company’s major transactional currencies from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. The gain recorded for the full year 2020 reflected strengthening of these underlying currencies against the U.S. Dollar.
Investment Results
Total investment income was a loss of $4.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to a gain of $4.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The fourth quarter of 2021 includes a share of loss from associates amounting to $7.0 million, related to the Company’s share of Lebanon-based real estate, which has been impacted by a significant decline in the fair value of commercial properties due to ongoing local geopolitical issues coupled with the prevailing hyper inflationary environment in Lebanon. Total real estate holdings (owned directly and through IGI’s investments in associates in Lebanon) at December 31, 2021 were $22.0 million, and included a write down of 50.9% of the Company’s share of real estate in Lebanon. Total real estate holdings at December 31, 2020, were $31.6 million. Total investment income, net (which excludes realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments, realized and fair value gains or losses on investment properties, expected credit losses on investments, and the share of profit or loss from associates) was $2.2 million and $3.4 million for the quarters ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. This represented an annualized investment yield of 1.0% on the average total investments and cash portfolio (comprised of cash and cash equivalents and term deposits) in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 1.8% in the corresponding period in 2020. Excluding cash and bank balances, the Company’s total investments and cash portfolio produced an investment yield of 1.3% in both the fourth quarters of 2021, compared to 2.2% in the corresponding period in 2020.
Total investment income was $8.8 million for the full year of 2021 compared to $8.5 million for the full year of 2020. Total investment income for the full year of 2021 includes a share of loss from associates of $7.3 million, related to the Company’s share of Lebanon-based real estate, as above. Total investment income, net (which excludes realized and unrealized gains and losses, expected credit losses on investments, and the share of loss from associates) was $14.2 million and $11.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. This represented an investment yield of 1.7% for the full year of 2021 and 2020. Excluding cash and bank balances, the company’s total investments and cash portfolio produced an investment yield of 2.1% for the full year of 2021, compared to 2.2% yield for the full year of 2020.
The cash portfolio totaled $422.1 million at December 31, 2021, representing 46.2% of the Company’s total investments and cash portfolio, compared to $305.6 million at December 31, 2020, when it represented 39.4%. Total investments includes investments, investment in associates, and investment properties and totaled $914.3 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $775.3 million at December 31, 2020.
Total Equity
Total equity at December 31, 2021 was $401.9 million, compared to $381.0 million at December 31, 2020. The movement in total equity during the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2021 is illustrated below:
(in millions of U.S. Dollars) Quarter Ended
December
31, 2021 Year Ended
December
31, 2021
Total Equity at beginning of period $395.5 $381.0
Profit for the period $9.1 $43.6
Net change in fair value reserves for investments through other comprehensive income ($4.7) ($9.8)
Change in foreign currency translation reserve $1.5 $1.3
Issuance of restricted share awards $0.5 $1.9
Cash dividends declared during the period - ($16.1)
Total Equity at December 31, 2021 $401.9 $401.9
Book value per share was $8.83 at December 31, 2021, representing growth of 5.2% from $8.39 at December 31, 2020.
Separately, during the fourth quarter of 2021, Chairman and CEO Wasef Jabsheh purchased an aggregate of 139,516 common shares of the Company for approximately $1.09 million in open market transactions.
International General Insurance Holdings Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
Quarter Ended Year Ended
(in millions of U.S. Dollars, except per share data)
2021
2020 2021 2020
December 31, December 31,
Gross written premiums .................................................... $163.5 $129.5 $545.6 $467.3
Reinsurers’ share of insurance premiums ......................... ($52.7) ($39.4) ($163.0) ($128.9)
Net written premiums ...................................................... $110.8 $90.1 $382.6 $338.4
Net change in unearned premiums ................................... ($24.6) ($16.2) ($37.4) ($54.9)
Net premiums earned....................................................... $86.2 $73.9 $345.2 $283.5
Net claims and claim adjustment expenses ...................... ($40.4) ($44.3) ($176.2) ($151.7)
Net policy acquisition expenses ........................................ ($15.2) ($14.9) ($63.2) ($54.4)
Net underwriting results……………………………………………… $30.6 $14.7 $105.8 $77.4
Net investment income (1)………………………………….…………… $3.0 $4.8 $16.1 $10.0
Share of loss from associates (1)……….…………………………….. ($7.0) ($0.3) ($7.3) ($1.5)
General and administrative expenses ............................... ($16.7) ($12.5) ($58.9) ($46.9)
Other expenses, net (2) ....................................................... ($2.6) ($1.0) ($6.0) ($4.4)
Change in fair value of derivative financial liability ……….. ($0.9) ($3.3) $0.7 ($4.4)
Listing related expenses .................................................... - - - ($3.4)
Gain (loss) on foreign exchange ....................................... $3.2 $6.2 ($4.9) $2.5
Profit before tax ............................................................... $9.6 $8.6 $45.5 $29.3
Income tax ........................................................................ ($0.5) ($1.0) ($1.9) ($2.1)
Profit for the period ..........................................................
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to $9.1 $7.6 $43.6 $27.2
equity holders(3)…………………………………………………………… $0.19 $0.16 $0.89 $0.59
See “Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)” below.
International General Insurance Holdings Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
As at December 31, 2021 As at December 31, 2020
(in millions of U.S. Dollars) (Unaudited) (Audited)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $242.1 $133.4
Term deposits $180.0 $172.2
Insurance receivables $179.4 $166.6
Investments (4) $470.2 $438.1
Investment in associates (4) $5.7 $11.6
Reinsurance share of outstanding claims $182.3 $187.5
Reinsurance share of unearned premiums $64.1 $50.1
Deferred excess of loss premiums $17.2 $17.1
Deferred policy acquisition costs $64.8 $55.2
Deferred tax assets $0.6 -
Other assets $10.0 $9.5
Investment properties (4) $16.3 $20.0
Property, premises and equipment $14.9 $13.2
Intangible assets $4.3 $4.7
TOTAL ASSETS
$1,279.2
LIABILITIES
Gross outstanding claims $575.9 $492.3
Gross unearned premiums $328.8 $277.2
Insurance payables $89.5 $83.5
Other liabilities $29.2 $20.5
Derivative financial liability $12.9 $13.6
Deferred tax liabilities - $0.1
Unearned commissions $13.7 $11.0
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$898.2
EQUITY
Common shares at par value $0.5 $0.5
Share premium $159.5 $157.6
Foreign currency translation reserve $1.0 ($0.3)
Fair value reserves Retained earnings
TOTAL EQUITY
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
See “Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)” below.
International General Insurance Holdings Ltd.
Supplementary Financial Information – Combined Ratio (Unaudited)
Quarter Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
Net claims and claim expense ratio (a) ....................... 46.8% 59.8% 51.0% 53.5%
Net policy acquisition expense ratio (b) ........................ 17.7% 20.1% 18.3% 19.2%
General and administrative expense ratio (c) ............... 19.3% 16.9% 17.1% 16.6%
Expense ratio (d) ........................................................ 37.0% 37.0% 35.4% 35.8%
Combined ratio (e) ..................................................... 83.8% 96.8% 86.4% 89.3%
Quarter Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
(in millions of U.S. Dollars, except percentages) Claims and Claims and claim % of net claim % of net
adjustment premiums adjustment premiums expenses earned expenses earned Claims and Claims and claim % of net claim % of net
adjustment premiums adjustment premiums expenses earned expenses earned
(a) Represents net claims and claim adjustment expenses as a percentage of net premiums earned. The split of net claims and claims expense ratio between current accident year, current year CAT losses and prior years’ loss development is as follows:
Current year net
incurred claims Minus: Current accident year CAT $40.4 46.8% $44.3 59.8% $176.2 51.0% $151.7 53.5%
losses
Minus: Effect of prior years’ $9.9 11.5% $6.3 8.5% $28.9 8.4% $13.5 4.8%
development ($5.7) (6.6%) $5.4 7.3% ($16.1) (4.7%) ($6.1) (2.2%)
Current accident year (before CAT losses)
(b) Represents net policy acquisition expenses as a percentage of net premiums earned.
(c) Represents general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net premiums earned.
(d) Represents the sum of the net policy acquisition expense ratio and the general and administrative expense ratio.
(e) Represents the sum of the net claims and claim expense ratio and the expense ratio.
International General Insurance Holdings Ltd.
Supplementary Financial Information – Book Value per Share (Unaudited)
(in millions of U.S. Dollars, except share and per share data) As at December 31, 2021 As at December 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents and term deposits ........... $422.1 $305.6
Total investments *** ................................................ $492.2 $469.7
Total Investments and cash portfolio ........................ $914.3 $775.3
Common shares outstanding (in millions)* ……………. 48.9 48.5
Minus: Unvested shares (in millions)** …………………. 3.4 3.1
Number of vested common outstanding shares (in
millions) (a) ............................................................. 45.5 45.4
Total equity (b) …………………………………………………….. $401.9 $381.0
Book value per share (b)/(a) ................................... $8.83 $8.39
* Common shares issued and outstanding as at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are as follows:
No. of shares as at December 31, 2021
Common shares as of December 31, 2020 45,426,251
Vested restricted share awards 44,833
Common shares as of December 31, 2021 45,471,084
Earnout shares as of December 31, 2021
Unvested restricted share awards as of December 31, 2021 Total unvested shares as of December 31, 2021
Total Common shares outstanding
No. of shares as at December 31, 2020
Common shares as of December 31, 2020 45,426,251
Earnout shares as of December 31, 2020
Unvested restricted share awards as of December 31, 2020
Total unvested shares as of December 31, 2020
Total Common shares outstanding
** Earnout Shares are subject to vesting at stock prices ranging from $11.50 to $15.25, are entitled to dividends and voting rights, but are non-transferable by their holders until they vest. If the Earnout Shares do not vest on or prior to March 17, 2028, they will be cancelled by the Company. Restricted Share Awards were issued in 2021 and 2020 pursuant to the Company’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and beneficiaries are entitled to dividends and voting rights. However, the Restricted Share Awards are non-transferable by their holders until they vest as per the respective Restricted Share Award Agreements. As at December 31, 2021, the vesting conditions attached to both Earnout Shares and unvested Restricted Share Awards to employees have not been met, and as a result these shares were not included in the weighted average number of common shares for both basic and diluted earnings per share.
*** See Note 4 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)” below.