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Kingstone Reports Second Consecutive Quarter of Net Income; Highest First Quarter Profitability in Seven Years

Monday, 13 May 2024 04:15 PM

Kingstone Companies, Inc

Topic:
Earnings

Achieves Double-Digit Core Business Premium Growth; Raises 2024 Guidance

KINGSTON, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 13, 2024 / Kingstone Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq:KINS) (the "Company" or "Kingstone"), a Northeast regional property and casualty insurance holding company, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. The Company will hold its first quarter 2024 financial results conference call on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. With this release, the Company has provided an investor presentation that can be accessed through the Investor Relations/Events & Presentations section of the Company website (www.kingstonecompanies.com).

First Quarter 2024 Key Financial and Operational Highlights
($ in thousands, except per share data)
2024 2023 Change
Direct premiums written1 - Core Business
$46,587 $41,427 12.5%
Combined ratio
93.3% 123.3% -30.0 pts
Net Income/(Loss)
$1,427 $(5,055) NM
Net Income/(Loss) per share - basic
$0.13 $(0.47) NM
Return on equity - annualized
16.2% (58.2%) NM

Management Commentary

Meryl Golden, Chief Executive Officer of Kingstone Companies, Inc., stated, "We're delighted to share our achievements for the first quarter of 2024, marked by significant growth in Core Business premium and strong profitability, building upon the success we achieved in the fourth quarter of 2023. Favorable weather conditions further complemented our underwriting performance. These results serve as validation of the effectiveness of our strategic initiatives.

"Core Business direct premiums written rose nearly 13% during the quarter driven by ongoing price increases as well as an expansion of our underwriting appetite. We are confident we can profitably accelerate our Core Business growth as we continue to strategically run-off our Non-Core Business premium, which we successfully contracted by 56% from the prior year period.

"Our underlying loss ratio improved by 16.6 points, largely driven by both lower frequency and severity. The mild weather conditions experienced throughout the quarter positively impacted our catastrophe loss ratio by 8 points, and we experienced 2-points of favorable development, primarily attributable to the reevaluation of prior period catastrophe losses. Our expense ratio was down 3.4 points, and the combined ratio of 93.3% marked a 30-point decrease from the prior year period."

Ms. Golden concluded, "With robust performance during the first three months and increased momentum in our business, we are raising our guidance to provide enhanced transparency into our efforts to build long-term shareholder value."

Guidance

For 2024, the Company's full year expectations are calculated based on net premiums earned of approximately $125 million, and are as follows:

Guidance
2024 Previous
Core Business direct premiums written growth
16.0% to 20.0% 12.0% to 16.0%
Combined ratio
86.0% to 90.0% 88.0% to 92.0%
Net income per share - basic*
$ 0.75 to $1.10 $ 0.50 to $0.90
Return on equity
22.0% to 30.0% 15.0% to 22.0%

*The variance between net income per share - diluted and basic is immaterial. Previous guidance was presented on a diluted shares basis, while current guidance is presented on a basic shares basis.

Consolidated Financial Results

Consolidated Financial Results
Quarter Ended
($ in thousands, except per share data)
March 31,
2024 2023 Change
Direct premiums written1
$49,325 $47,597 3.6%
Net premiums earned
$28,820 $28,255 2.0%
Net investment income
$1,503 $1,541 -2.5%
Net gain on investments
$726 $1,225 -40.7%
Underlying loss ratio1,2
58.8% 75.4% -16.6 pts
Net favorable development of prior year losses
-2.0% 0.0% -2.0 pts
Catastrophe loss ratio
5.2% 13.2% -8.0 pts
Net loss ratio
62.0% 88.6% -26.6 pts
Net underwriting expense ratio
31.3% 34.7% -3.4 pts
Combined ratio
93.3% 123.3% -30.0 pts
Adjusted EBITDA1
$2,934 $(5,494) NM
Net Income/(Loss)
$1,427 $(5,055) NM
Net Income/(Loss) per share - basic
$0.13 $(0.47) NM
Net Income/(Loss) per share - diluted
$0.12 $(0.47) NM
Return on equity - annualized
16.2% -58.2% NM
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
(440) $1,951 NM
Operating net income/(loss)1
$853 $(6,022) NM
Operating net income/(loss) per share - basic1
$0.08 $(0.56) NM
Operating net income/(loss) per share - diluted1
$0.07 $(0.56) NM
Operating return on equity1 - annualized
9.7% -69.4% 79.1 pts
Book value per share - basic
$3.25 $3.09 5.2%
Book value per share - basic, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)
$4.40 $4.39 0.2%

Core Business Results (New York Only)

The Company refers to its New York policies as its Core Business.

Core Business Financial Results
Quarter Ended
($ in thousands)
March 31,
2024 2023 Change
Direct premiums written1
$46,587 $41,427 12.5%
Net premiums earned
$26,556 $23,788 11.6%
Net loss ratio1,2
57.9% 78.4% -20.5 pts
Catastrophe loss ratio1,2
3.8% 6.9% -3.1 pts

Non-Core Business Results (Outside of New York)

The Company stopped writing all new business outside of New York and has been aggressively reducing policy count this year, subject to regulatory requirements, and expects to accelerate its policy count reduction in 2024.

Non-Core Business Financial Results
Quarter Ended
($ in thousands)
March 31,
2024 2023 Change
Direct premiums written1
$2,738 $6,170 -55.6%
Net premiums earned
$2,264 $4,467 -49.3%
Net loss ratio1,2
109.8% 143.0% -33.2 pts
Catastrophe loss ratio1,2
20.9% 46.9% -26.0 pts

Premium and Policy Trends

Premium and Policy Trends
Quarter Ended
($ in thousands)
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
Sequential Change
Core Business
Direct premiums written1
$46,587 $47,027 -0.9%
Policies-in-force
66,991 67,575 -0.9%
Non-Core Business
Direct premiums written1
$2,738 $5,911 -53.7%
Policies-in-force
9,080 10,823 -16.1%

1These measures are not based on GAAP and are defined and reconciled below to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. See "Definitions and Non-GAAP Measures".
2Core and Non-Core business net loss ratios and catastrophe loss ratios are not based on GAAP. Net loss ratio is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The aggregate of Core and Non-Core Business net loss ratios is represented by net loss ratio, as set forth immediately above the non-GAAP measures. See "Definitions and Non-GAAP Measures".

Conference Call Details

Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time
To participate please dial:

U.S. toll free 1-877-423-9820
International 1-201-493-6749

Participants are asked to dial-in approximately 10 minutes before the conference call is scheduled to begin. The conference call can also be accessed via webcast in the "Investor Relations/Events & Presentations" tab of the Company's website or by clicking here. The webcast will be archived and accessible for approximately 30 days.

About Kingstone Companies, Inc.

Kingstone is a northeast regional property and casualty insurance holding company whose principal operating subsidiary is Kingstone Insurance Company ("KICO"). KICO is a New York domiciled carrier writing business through retail and wholesale agents and brokers. KICO is actively writing personal lines and commercial auto insurance in New York, and in 2023 was the 15th largest writer of homeowners insurance in New York. KICO is also licensed in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Investor Relations Contact:

Karin Daly
Vice President
The Equity Group Inc.
[email protected]

Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statements

The guidance provided above is based on information available as of May 13, 2024 and management's review of the anticipated financial results for 2024. Such guidance remains subject to change based on management's ongoing review of the Company's 2024 results and is a forward-looking statement (see below). Kingstone assumes no obligation to update this guidance. The actual results may be materially different and are affected by the risk factors and uncertainties identified in this press release and in Kingstone's annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors. For more details on factors that could affect expectations, see Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the following:

  • the risk of significant losses from catastrophes and severe weather events;
  • risks related to the lack of a financial strength rating from A.M. Best;
  • risks related to our indebtedness due on December 30, 2024, including due to the need to comply with certain financial covenants and limitations on the ability of our insurance subsidiary to pay dividends to us;
  • adverse capital, credit and financial market conditions;
  • the unavailability of reinsurance at current levels and prices;
  • the exposure to greater net insurance losses in the event of reduced reliance on reinsurance;
  • the credit risk of our reinsurers;
  • the inability to maintain the requisite amount of risk-based capital needed to grow our business;
  • the effects of climate change on the frequency or severity of weather events and wildfires;
  • risks related to the limited market area of our business;
  • risks related to a concentration of business in a limited number of producers;
  • legislative and regulatory changes, including changes in insurance laws and regulations and their application by our regulators;
  • limitations with regard to our ability to pay dividends;
  • the effects of competition in our market areas;
  • our reliance on certain key personnel;
  • risks related to security breaches or other attacks involving our computer systems or those of our vendors; and
  • our reliance on information technology and information systems.

Kingstone undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Definitions and Non-GAAP Measures

Direct premiums written represent the total premiums charged on policies issued by the Company during the respective fiscal period.

Net premiums written are direct premiums written less premiums ceded to reinsurers. Net premiums earned, the GAAP measure most comparable to direct premiums written and net premiums written, are net premiums written that are pro-rata earned during the fiscal period presented. All of the Company's policies are written for a twelve-month period. Management uses direct premiums written and net premiums written, along with other measures, to gauge the Company's performance and evaluate results. Direct premiums written and net premiums written are provided as supplemental information, not as a substitute for net premiums earned, and do not reflect the Company's net premiums earned.

Adjusted EBITDA is net income (loss) exclusive of interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization, net gains (losses) on investments, and stock- based compensation. Net income (loss) is the GAAP measure most closely comparable to adjusted EBITDA.

Management uses adjusted EBITDA along with other measures to gauge the Company's performance and evaluate results, which can be skewed when including interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization, net gains (losses) on investments, and stock-based compensation, and may vary significantly between periods. Adjusted EBITDA is provided as supplemental information, not as a substitute for net income (loss) and does not reflect the Company's overall profitability.

Operating income (loss) and basic operating income (loss) per share is net income (loss) and basic income (loss) per share exclusive of net gains (losses) on investments, net of tax. Net income (loss) and basic net income (loss) per share are the GAAP measures most closely comparable to operating income (loss) and basic operating income (loss) per share.

Management uses operating income (loss) and basic operating income (loss) per share along with other measures to gauge the Company's performance and evaluate results, which can be skewed when including net gains (losses) on investments and may vary significantly between periods. Operating income (loss) and basic operating income (loss) per share are provided as supplemental information, not as a substitute for net income (loss) and basic net income (loss) per share and do not reflect the Company's overall profitability.

Operating income (loss) and diluted operating income (loss) per share is net income (loss) and diluted income (loss) per share exclusive of net gains (losses) on investments, net of tax. Net income (loss) and diluted net income (loss) per share are the GAAP measures most closely comparable to operating income (loss) and diluted operating income (loss) per share.

Management uses operating income (loss) and diluted operating income (loss) per share along with other measures to gauge the Company's performance and evaluate results, which can be skewed when including net gains (losses) on investments and may vary significantly between periods. Operating income (loss) and diluted operating income (loss) per share are provided as supplemental information, not as a substitute for net income (loss) and diluted net income (loss) per share, and do not reflect the Company's overall profitability.

Operating return on equity is operating income (loss) divided by average equity. Return on equity is the GAAP measure most closely comparable to operating return on equity.

Management uses operating return on equity, along with other measures, to gauge the Company's performance and evaluate results, which can be skewed when including net gains (losses) on investments, which may vary significantly between periods. Operating return on equity is provided as supplemental information, is not a substitute for return on equity and does not reflect the Company's overall return on average common equity.

Underlying loss ratio is a non-GAAP ratio, which is computed as the difference between GAAP net loss ratio less the effect of prior year loss reserve development and catastrophes losses.

Management believes that this ratio is useful to investors, and it is used by management to reveal the trends in the Company's business that may be obscured by prior year loss reserve development and catastrophe losses. Catastrophe losses cause the Company's loss ratios to vary significantly between periods as a result of their incidence of occurrence and magnitude and can have a significant impact on the net loss ratio. Management believes that this measure is useful for investors to evaluate this component separately when reviewing the Company's underwriting performance. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the net loss ratio. The underlying loss ratio should not be considered a substitute for the net loss ratio and does not reflect the Company's net loss ratio.

The table below reconciles direct premiums written and net premiums written to net premiums earned for the periods presented:

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
%
2024 2023 Change
(000's except percentages)
Direct and Net Premiums Written Reconciliation:
Direct premiums written
$49,325 $47,597 3.6%
Ceded premiums written1
(11,230) (16,105) (30.3)
Net premiums written
38,095 31,492 21.0
Change in unearned premiums
(9,275) (3,237) 186.5
Net premiums earned
$28,820 $28,255 2.0%
(Components may not sum due to rounding)
1Net written premiums balances from prior year periods were reclassified to conform with current year presentation. The reclassification had no effect on the Company's previously reported financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The following table reconciles net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated:

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
%
2024 2023 Change
(000's except percentages)
Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation:
Net income (loss)
$1,427 $(5,055) NM%
Interest expense
994 1,010 (1.6)
Income tax expense (benefit)
378 (1,249) NM
Depreciation and amortization
597 808 (26.1)
EBITDA
3,395 (4,486) NM
Net gain on investments
(726) (1,225) (40.7)
Stock-based compensation
266 217 22.6
Adjusted EBITDA
$2,934 $(5,494) NM%
(Components may not sum due to rounding)

The following table reconciles net income (loss) to operating income (loss) and basic income (loss) per share to basic operating income (loss) per share for the periods indicated:

For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023
Amount Basic income per common share Amount Basic loss per common share
(000's except per common share amounts and percentages)
Operating Income (Loss) and Operating Income (Loss) per Basic Common Share Reconciliation:
Net income (loss)
$1,427 $0.13 $(5,055) $(0.47)
Net gain on investments
(726) (1,225)
Less tax expense on net gain
(152) (257)
Net gain on investments, net of taxes
(574) $(0.05) (968) $(0.09)
Operating income (loss)
$853 $0.08 $(6,022) $(0.56)
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
10,999,662 10,756,913
(Components may not sum due to rounding)

The following table reconciles net income (loss) to operating income (loss) and diluted income (loss) per share to diluted operating income (loss) per share for the periods indicated:

For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023
Amount Diluted income per common share Amount Diluted loss per common share
(000's except per common share amounts and percentages)
Operating Income (Loss) and Operating Income (Loss) per Diluted Common Share Reconciliation:
Net income (loss)
$1,427 $0.12 $(5,055) $(0.47)
Net gain on investments
(726) (1,225)
Less tax expense on net gain
(152) (257)
Net gain on investments, net of taxes
(574) $(0.05) (968) $(0.09)
Operating income (loss)
$853 $0.07 $(6,022) $(0.56)
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
11,791,520 10,756,913
(Components may not sum due to rounding)

The following table reconciles net income (loss) to operating income (loss) and return on equity to operating return on equity for the periods indicated:

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
%
2024 2023 Change
(000's except percentages)
Net Operating Income (Loss) Reconciliation:
Net income (loss)
$1,427 $(5,055) NM
Net gain on investments
(726) (1,225) 40.7%
Less tax expense on net realized gain
(152) (257) 40.9%
Net gain on investments, net of taxes
(574) (968) 40.7%
Net operating income (loss)
$853 $(6,022) NM
Operating Return on Equity Reconciliation:
Net income (loss)
$1,427 $(5,055) NM
Average equity
$35,127 $34,726 1.2%
Return on equity
4.1% -14.6% NM
Return on equity - annualized
16.2% -58.2% NM
Net gain on investments, net of taxes
$(574) $(968) 40.7%
Average equity
$35,127 $34,726 1.2%
Effect of net gain on investments, net of taxes, on return on equity
-1.6% -2.8% 41.4%
Net operating income (loss)
$853 $(6,022) NM
Net operating income (loss) - annualized
$3,412 $(24,092) NM
Average equity
$35,127 $34,726 1.2%
Operating return on equity
2.4% -17.3% NM
Operating return on equity - annualized
9.7% -69.4% NM
(Components may not sum due to rounding)

The following table reconciles the underlying loss ratio to the net loss ratio for the periods presented:

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
2024 2023 Percentage Point Change
Underlying Loss Ratio Reconciliation:
Underlying Loss Ratio
58.8% 75.4% (16.6)
pts
Effect of catastrophe losses
5.2% 13.2% (8.0)
pts
Effect of prior year reserve development
(2.0)% 0.0% (2.0)
pts
Net loss ratio
62.0% 88.6% (26.6)
pts
(Components may not sum due to rounding)
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, December 31,
2024 2023
(unaudited)
Assets
Fixed-maturity securities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of
$6,043,911 at March 31, 2024 and $6,106,148 at December 31, 2023)
$7,051,252 $7,052,541
Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of
$177,344,695 at March 31, 2024 and $164,460,942 at December 31, 2023)
161,247,070 148,920,797
Equity securities, at fair value (cost of $16,119,554 at March 31, 2024 and
$17,986,783 at December 31, 2023)
13,536,833 14,762,340
Other investments
4,074,176 3,897,150
Total investments
185,909,331 174,632,828
Cash and cash equivalents
3,199,300 8,976,998
Premiums receivable, net
13,902,797 13,604,808
Reinsurance receivables, net
70,723,937 75,593,912
Deferred policy acquisition costs
19,427,151 19,802,564
Intangible assets
500,000 500,000
Property and equipment, net
9,340,159 9,395,697
Deferred income taxes, net
10,290,867 10,551,819
Other assets
4,999,181 4,574,584
Total assets
$318,292,723 $317,633,210
Liabilities
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
$122,498,439 $121,817,862
Unearned premiums
104,949,777 105,621,538
Advance premiums
4,580,934 3,797,590
Reinsurance balances payable
10,797,386 12,837,140
Deferred ceding commission revenue
9,290,100 9,460,865
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
5,168,007 4,350,546
Debt, net
25,258,273 25,243,530
Total liabilities
282,542,916 283,129,071
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 2,500,000 shares
- -
Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued 12,479,422 shares
at March 31, 2024 and 12,248,313 shares at December 31, 2023; outstanding
11,008,116 shares at March 31, 2024 and 10,776,907 shares at December 31, 2023
124,794 122,483
Capital in excess of par
75,595,096 75,338,010
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(12,714,971) (12,274,563)
Accumulated deficit
(21,687,631) (23,114,310)
41,317,288 40,071,620
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,471,406 shares at March 31, 2024
and December 31, 2023
(5,567,481) (5,567,481)
Total stockholders' equity
35,749,807 34,504,139
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$318,292,723 $317,633,210
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
2024 2023
Revenues
Net premiums earned
$28,819,902 $28,254,953
Ceding commission revenue
4,567,111 5,445,407
Net investment income
1,502,860 1,541,492
Net gains on investments
726,391 1,224,871
Other income
148,913 161,040
Total revenues
35,765,177 36,627,763
Expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expenses
17,859,587 25,039,410
Commission expense
7,851,812 8,539,762
Other underwriting expenses
5,880,605 6,871,619
Other operating expenses
778,082 662,634
Depreciation and amortization
596,513 808,130
Interest expense
993,875 1,009,891
Total expenses
33,960,474 42,931,446
Income (loss) from operations before taxes
1,804,703 (6,303,683)
Income tax expense (benefit)
378,024 (1,248,973)
Net income (loss)
1,426,679 (5,054,710)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
Gross change in unrealized (losses) gains
on available-for-sale-securities
(560,347) 2,467,426
Reclassification adjustment for losses
included in net income (loss)
2,867 2,639
Net change in unrealized (losses) gains,
on available-for-sale-securities
(557,480) 2,470,065
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items
of other comprehensive (loss) income
117,072 (518,713)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
(440,408) 1,951,352
Comprehensive income (loss)
$986,271 $(3,103,358)
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic
$0.13 $(0.47)
Diluted
$0.12 $(0.47)
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic
10,999,662 10,756,913
Diluted
11,791,520 10,756,913

SOURCE: Kingstone Companies, Inc

Topic:
Earnings
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