HOUSTON, Aug. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. ( SKWD) (“Skyward Specialty” or the “Company”) today reported second quarter 2023 net income of $19.5 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared to $5.1 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the same 2022 period. Net income for the first half of 2023 was $35.0 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, compared to $21.4 million, or $0.66 per diluted share for the same 2022 period.
Adjusted operating income(1) for the second quarter of 2023 was $16.0 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, compared to $16.4 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the same 2022 period. Adjusted operating income(1) for the first half of 2023 was $31.5 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, compared to $36.2 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, for the same 2022 period.
Highlights for the quarter included:
- Gross written premiums increased 29.4%.
- Underwriting income(1) of $15.5 million compared to $12.0 million for the second quarter of 2022.
- Combined ratio of 92.0% compared to 91.8% for the second quarter of 2022.
- Current accident year non-cat loss and LAE ratio of 60.7% compared to 62.8% for the second quarter of 2022.
- Cat loss and LAE ratio of 3.5% compared to 0.0% for the second quarter of 2022.
- Annualized return on tangible equity(1) of 18.3% compared to 6.1% for the same 2022 period.
| (1) See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" |
Skyward Specialty CEO Andrew Robinson commented, "Our exceptional growth in gross written premiums of 29.4% and strong combined ratio of 92.0%, in spite of elevated catastrophe losses, is a direct result of the extraordinary execution of our “Rule Our Niche” strategy by our team of 470 employees. We are well positioned to continue to deliver strong growth and underwriting margin expansion as we look out to the remainder of 2023 and into 2024."
Results of Operations
Underwriting Results
| Premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| unaudited | 2023 | 2022 | % Change | 2023 | 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 421,994 | $ | 326,227 | 29.4 | % | $ | 782,492 | $ | 608,869 | 28.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Ceded written premiums | $ | (208,257 | ) | $ | (137,496 | ) | 51.5 | % | $ | (366,614 | ) | $ | (284,737 | ) | 28.8 | % | ||||||
| Net retention | 50.6% | 57.9% | NM (1) | 53.1% | 53.2% | NM (1) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net written premiums | $ | 213,737 | $ | 188,731 | 13.2 | % | $ | 415,878 | $ | 324,132 | 28.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 194,347 | $ | 146,076 | 33.0 | % | $ | 377,178 | $ | 287,803 | 31.1 | % | ||||||||||
| (1) Not meaningful | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The second quarter and first half of 2023 increases in gross written premiums, when compared to the same 2022 periods, were primarily driven by double-digit premium growth in our transactional E&S, global property and agriculture, professional lines, surety and captives underwriting divisions.
| Combined Ratio | Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||
| (unaudited) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Non-cat loss and LAE(1) | 60.7 | % | 62.8 | % | 60.9 | % | 63.2 | % | ||||
| Cat loss and LAE(1) | 3.5 | % | 0.0 | % | 2.7 | % | 0.0 | % | ||||
| Prior accident year development - LPT(2) | (0.2 | )% | 0.0 | % | (0.2 | )% | 0.0 | % | ||||
| Loss Ratio | 64.0 | % | 62.8 | % | 63.4 | % | 63.2 | % | ||||
| Net policy acquisition costs | 11.9 | % | 10.1 | % | 11.7 | % | 9.8 | % | ||||
| Other operating and general expenses | 17.3 | % | 20.3 | % | 17.0 | % | 19.7 | % | ||||
| Commission and fee income | (1.2 | )% | (1.4 | )% | (1.0 | )% | (0.8 | )% | ||||
| Expense ratio | 28.0 | % | 29.0 | % | 27.7 | % | 28.7 | % | ||||
| Combined ratio | 92.0 | % | 91.8 | % | 91.1 | % | 91.9 | % | ||||
| Adjusted Underwriting Ratios | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted loss ratio(2) | 64.2 | % | 62.8 | % | 63.6 | % | 63.2 | % | ||||
| Expense ratio | 28.0 | % | 29.0 | % | 27.7 | % | 28.7 | % | ||||
| Adjusted combined ratio(2) | 92.2 | % | 91.8 | % | 91.3 | % | 91.9 | % | ||||
| (1) Current accident year | ||||||||||||
| (2) See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" | ||||||||||||
The loss ratio for the second quarter of 2023 increased 1.2 points when compared to the same 2022 period. Catastrophe losses from convective storms added 3.5 points to the current quarter loss ratio compared to the second quarter of 2022, which was not impacted by catastrophe losses. The non-cat loss and LAE ratio improved 2.1 points when compared to the same 2022 period primarily driven by the shift in the mix of business and continued run-off of exited business.
The loss ratio for the first half of 2023 increased 0.2 points when compared to the same 2022 period. Catastrophe losses from second quarter convective storms and first quarter wind and hail events, including tornadoes, added 2.7 points to the loss ratio compared to the first half of 2022, which was not impacted by catastrophe losses. The non-cat loss and LAE ratio improved 2.3 points when compared to the same 2022 period primarily driven by the shift in the mix of business and continued run-off of exited business.
The expense ratios for the second quarter and first half of 2023 improved 1.0 point, respectively, when compared to the same 2022 periods, primarily driven by improvements in the other operating and general expenses ratios due to the increase in earned premiums.
The expense ratios for the second quarter and first half of 2023 exclude the impact of IPO related stock compensation and secondary offering expenses, which are reported in other expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Investment Results
| Net Investment Income (Loss) | ||||||||||||||||
| $ in thousands | Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Short-term and money market investments | $ | 3,142 | $ | 143 | $ | 4,922 | $ | 146 | ||||||||
| Core fixed income | 6,967 | 3,409 | 13,306 | 6,396 | ||||||||||||
| Opportunistic fixed income | (2,429 | ) | 7,026 | (5,570 | ) | 18,473 | ||||||||||
| Equities | 902 | (53 | ) | 569 | 657 | |||||||||||
| Net investment income (1) | $ | 8,582 | $ | 10,525 | $ | 13,227 | $ | 25,672 | ||||||||
| Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities still held | $ | 5,017 | $ | (14,514 | ) | $ | 8,784 | $ | (19,883 | ) | ||||||
| Net realized gains (losses) | $ | 334 | $ | 140 | $ | (2,472 | ) | $ | 1,071 | |||||||
| (1) excludes income from operating cash for the second quarter and first half of 2023 of $1 and $2, respectively, and $5 and $7, respectively, for the same 2022 periods. | ||||||||||||||||
Net investment income for the second quarter and first half of 2023 decreased $1.9 million and $12.5 million, respectively, when compared to the same 2022 periods. For the second quarter and first half of 2023, increased income from core fixed income and short-term and money market investments was offset by losses in opportunistic fixed income.
The increase in income from our core fixed income portfolio for the second quarter and first half of 2023 was due to (i) a larger asset base as we continued to increase our allocation to this part of our investment portfolio and (ii) higher net investment book yields of 3.6%, respectively, compared to 2.7% and 2.6%, respectively, for the same 2022 periods. The increase in income from short-term and money market investments for the second quarter and first half of 2023 was due to higher investment yields of 5.3% and 6.4%, respectively, compared to 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively, for the same 2022 periods. The opportunistic fixed income portfolio was impacted by a decline in the fair value of limited partnership investments for the second quarter and first half of 2023 when compared to the same 2022 periods.
Stockholders’ Equity
Stockholders’ equity was $522.7 million at June 30, 2023 which represents an increase of 3.1% when compared to stockholders' equity of $507.1 million at March 31, 2023. The increase in stockholders’ equity was primarily due to net income.
Conference Call
At 10 a.m. central time tomorrow, August 9, 2023, Skyward Specialty management will hold a conference call to discuss quarterly results with insurance industry analysts. Interested parties may listen to the discussion at investors.skywardinsurance.com under Events & Presentations. Additionally, investors can access the earnings call via conference call by registering via the conference link. Users will receive dial-in information and a unique PIN to join the call upon registering.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This release contains certain financial measures and ratios that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). We refer to these measures as “non-GAAP financial measures.” We use these non-GAAP financial measures when planning, monitoring, and evaluating our performance.
We have chosen to exclude the net impact of the Loss Portfolio Transfer (“LPT”), all development on reserves fully or partially covered by the LPT and amortization of deferred gains associated with recoveries of prior LPT reserve strengthening in certain non-GAAP metrics, where noted, as the business subject to the LPT is not representative of our continuing business strategy. The business subject to the LPT is primarily related to policy years 2017 and prior, was generated and managed under prior leadership, and has either been exited or substantially repositioned during the reevaluation of our portfolio. We consider these non-GAAP financial measures to be useful metrics for our management and investors to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period. While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating our business, this information should be considered supplemental in nature and is not meant to be a substitute for revenue or net income, in each case as recognized in accordance with GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate such measures differently, which reduces their usefulness as comparative measures. For more information regarding these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of such measures to comparable GAAP financial measures, see the section entitled “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
About Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc.
Skyward Specialty is a rapidly growing and innovative specialty insurance company, delivering commercial property and casualty products and solutions on a non-admitted and admitted basis. The Company operates through eight underwriting divisions - Accident & Health, Captives, Global Property & Agriculture, Industry Solutions, Professional Lines, Programs, Surety and Transactional E&S. SKWD stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which represents the top fourth of all Nasdaq listed companies.
Skyward Specialty's subsidiary insurance companies consist of Houston Specialty Insurance Company, Imperium Insurance Company, Great Midwest Insurance Company, and Oklahoma Specialty Insurance Company. These insurance companies are rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Additional information about Skyward Specialty can be found on our website at www.skywardinsurance.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information, all other information in this news release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are typically, but not always, identified through use of the words "believe," "expect," "enable," "may," "will," "could," "intends," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "predict," "probable," "potential," "possible," "should," "continue," and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied. The most significant of these uncertainties are described in Skyward Specialty's Form 10-K, and include (but are not limited to) legislative changes at both the state and federal level, state and federal regulatory rule making promulgations and adjudications, class action litigation involving the insurance industry and judicial decisions affecting claims, policy coverages and the general costs of doing business, the potential loss of key members of our management team or key employees and our ability to attract and retain personnel, the impact of competition on products and pricing, inflation in the costs of the products and services insurance pays for, product development, geographic spread of risk, weather and weather-related events, other types of catastrophic events, our ability to obtain reinsurance coverage at prices and on terms that allow us to transfer risk and adequately protect our company against financial loss, and losses resulting from reinsurance counterparties failing to pay us on reinsurance claims. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.
Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc.
Media contact:
Haley Doughty
[email protected]
713-935-4944
or
Investor contact:
Natalie Schoolcraft,
[email protected]
614-494-4988
| Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||||
| ($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||||
| (unaudited) | June 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Investments: | ||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $819,762 and $662,616, respectively) | $ | 767,491 | $ | 607,572 | ||||
| Fixed maturity securities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (net of allowance for credit losses of $332 as of June 30, 2023) | 47,172 | 52,467 | ||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value | 127,861 | |||||||
