Maiden Holdings, Ltd. (MHLD) reported second-quarter 2014 net operating income of 37 cents per share, which came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, earnings increased 32.1% from the year-ago quarter figure of 28 cents.
Operating net income rose 38.2% year over year to $28.2 million, primarily on the back of solid growth across the Diversified and AmTrust segments.
Including extraordinary items, net income for Maiden Holdings increased to $25.8 million or 34 cents per share in the reported quarter against $20.2 million or 27 cents a share in the year-ago quarter.
Operational Update
Total revenue of Maiden Holdings increased 5% year over year to $563 million, driven by increase in premiums, net investment income and net realized gains. Results also exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $552 million by 2%.
Excluding the cancelled National General Holdings Quota Share of Maiden Holdings, net premiums written increased 8.6% year over year to $540.9 million. The rise was primarily attributable to growth in the Diversified Reinsurance segment, AmTrust Quota Share Reinsurance segment and NGHC Quota Share segment.
A better performance at the Diversified Reinsurance segment was driven by new business growth and increased shares of the existing clients both in the US and overseas. Continued increase in rate across certain lines of businesses like worker’s compensation led to the rise in AmTrust Quota Share Reinsurance segment while termination of a mutually agreed contract as of Aug 1, 2013 led to the rise in NGHC Quota Share segment.
Net investment income increased 35.5% year over year to $28.1 million, resulting in an average yield on the fixed income portfolio of 3.54% for a period of 4.8 years in second-quarter 2014.
Maiden Holdings’ total expense increased 4% year over year to $524 million due to rise in net loss and loss adjustment expenses as well as commission and other acquisition expenses.
Combined ratio deteriorated by 40 basis points year over year to 98.0% in the reported quarter. This deterioration was owing to higher losses from non-catastrophe U.S. property reinsurance contracts in the Diversified Reinsurance segment.
Dividend Update
On Jul 24, 2014, the board of Maiden Holdings declared a quarterly dividend of 11 cents a share, payable on Oct 15, 2014 to shareholders of record as on Oct 1.
Financial Update
Maiden Holdings exited the reported quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $70 million, down from $139.8 million at 2013-end.
As of Jun 30, 2014, the company had assets worth $5 billion, up from $4.71 billion as of Dec 31, 2013. Meanwhile, shareholders’ equity increased to $1.22 billion from $1.12 billion at 2013-end. Return on equity (ROE) for second-quarter 2014 came in at 11.9%, compared with 9.6% in the year-ago quarter.
Book value per common share was $12.46 a share, up 12% from Dec 31, 2013.
Zacks Rank
Maiden Holdings currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Performances of Other Property and Casualty Insurers
Progressive Corp. (PGR) reported second-quarter operating earnings of 45 cents per share, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a couple of cents. However, earnings improved 10% year over year.
RLI Corp.’s (RLI) second-quarter operating income of 66 cents per share came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The figure also marked a 4.8% year-over-year increase.
Everest Re Group Ltd. (RE) posted second-quarter operating income of $5.41 per share, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.3%. However, earnings improved 6.1% year over year.
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