Release Details

Company to Host Conference Call on November 10, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. ET

KINGSTON, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kingstone Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq:KINS) (the “Company” or “Kingstone”), a multi-line property and casualty insurance holding company, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

Financial and Operational Highlights

2017 Third Quarter
(All results are compared to prior year period unless otherwise noted)

• Net income increased 17.7% to $4.1 million or $0.38 per diluted share
• Net operating income¹ increased 23.0% to $4.1 million or $0.38 per diluted share
• Net premiums earned increased 37.5% to $21.5 million
• Direct written premiums¹ increased 20.9%; Personal lines grew by 25.2%
• Net combined ratio of 69.8% compared to 67.4%
• Return on average common equity (annualized) of 17.7%
• Operating return on average common equity (annualized)¹ of 17.6%
• Book value per share increased to $8.83, up 23.3% over Q3 2016

Quarterly Dividend of $0.08 per share

The Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share payable on December 15, 2017 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 30, 2017. This is Kingstone’s 26th consecutive quarterly dividend.

Management Commentary

Kingstone’s Chairman and CEO, Barry Goldstein, commented, “As hoped, the heightened quoting and binding activity from our Select Producers, following our A.M. Best upgrade to “A- Excellent” continues. New policy issuance in New York is at a record level. The response from our Select Producers validates our team’s decision to pursue the rating and justifies the capital actions taken by KINS earlier this year to bolster the capital base of Kingstone Insurance Company (“KICO”). We are making good use of the new equity, seen by our quarterly ROE of 17.7% (annualized) driving back to our long stated goal of 20%. Our conservative investment portfolio, with fixed income accounting for 90% of our holdings, generated our first ever quarter of net investment income exceeding $1 million.

Our goal of becoming a northeast regional underwriter focusing on agent-only (“Never Direct”) sales of our personal and small business polices is well underway. We continue to make traction in our expansion plan, and the offering of New Jersey Homeowners policies is now contributing to our profitable growth. We received approval for our Rhode Island Homeowners product in October and will begin writing business there by year-end. In late October we were informed by The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Insurance that our license request was preliminarily granted. Additional applications are pending in New Hampshire and Maine. We center our distribution through small professionally run agencies, those often overlooked or disregarded by national carriers. We are confident that our new products will compete effectively against carriers currently operating in these areas.”

Kingstone’s EVP and Chief Actuary, Ben Walden, commented on the underwriting results for the quarter. “We are excited to report consistently outstanding results again this quarter, as Kingstone posted another record-high for underwriting profits. In addition, our top line growth accelerated considerably due to the A.M. Best rating upgrade achieved earlier this year that had a full quarter’s worth of impact. In 2017, we have been able to accelerate our growth rate while continuing to drive superior underwriting results. This is not an accident, but is the result of a great deal of hard work put in by our dedicated team of employees. The partnerships we have forged over the years with Select Producers who value Kingstone’s consistent prices, products, and service continue to drive our success. Reviewing the results for the quarter compared to 2016, consistency is the theme. Our loss ratio of 32.9% for the quarter was almost identical to our outstanding result of 32.8% from third quarter 2016. We were fortunate to have favorable weather patterns and no impact from large storm events. We continue to observe favorable trends in claim frequency compared to 2016, even as our mix of business shifts towards new business. Our net combined ratio of 69.8% for the quarter is not a fluke, as it is the second quarter in the last five where we have posted a combined ratio below 70%. Our growth rate in personal lines accelerated as we are realizing opportunities that come along with an A- rating from A.M. Best.”

Mr. Walden concluded, “Our core net loss ratio excluding severe winter weather and prior year loss development was 33.1% for third quarter 2017, nearly identical to the 33.2% core loss ratio for third quarter 2016. Highlighting our consistency, the year-to-date core loss ratio of 42.1% is also within half a point of the 2016 core loss ratio of 42.4% through September. Also consistent is our reserve adequacy. Prior year loss development had a favorable impact of 0.2 points in the third quarter, compared to a 0.4 point favorable impact in the third quarter of 2016. For the year to date, we have recorded 0.5 points of favorable reserve development. Through September, our year-to-date combined ratio has improved 2.2 points to 76.8%, which continues to put us on track towards our most profitable year ever.”

(1) This measure is not based on GAAP and is defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measure in “Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures” below.

* These measures are not based on GAAP and are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in "information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures."

2017 Third Quarter Financial Review

Net Income:

Net income increased by 17.7% to $4.1 million during the three month period ended September 30, 2017, compared to net income of $3.5 million in the prior-year period. The increase in net income can be attributed primarily to an increase in net premiums earned driven by growth and by the reduction of our personal lines quota share reinsurance rate to 20% on July 1, 2017, from the prior rate of 40%.

Earnings per share (“EPS”):

Kingstone reported EPS of $0.38 per diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $0.43 per diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2016. EPS for the three month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was based on 10.83 million and 7.97 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, respectively.

Direct Written Premiums¹, Net Written Premiums¹ and Net Premiums Earned:

Direct written premiums¹ for the third quarter of 2017 were $32.8 million, an increase of 20.9% from $27.2 million in the prior year period. The increase is primarily attributable to a 14.6% increase in the total number of policies in-force as of September 30, 2017 as compared to September 30, 2016.

(1) These measures are not based on GAAP and are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in “Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures” below.

Net written premiums¹ increased 87.2% to $32.3 million during the three month period ended September 30, 2017 from $17.2 million in the prior year period. The increase was due to growth and the $7.1 million return of ceded unearned premiums resulting from the reduction of our personal lines quota share reinsurance rate to 20% on July, 1, 2017, from the prior rate of 40%. Excluding the one-time impact from the return of ceded unearned premiums, the increase in net written premiums was 45.8% from the prior year period.

Net premiums earned for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 increased 37.5% to $21.5 million, compared to $15.6 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2016. The increase was due to growth and the reduction of our personal lines quota share reinsurance rate to 20% on July, 1, 2017, from the prior rate of 40%.

Net Loss Ratio:

For the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the Company’s net loss ratio was 32.9% compared to 32.8% in the prior period. The core loss ratio excluding the impact of prior year loss development and severe winter weather was 33.1% compared to 33.2% in the prior period.

Net Underwriting Expense Ratio:

For the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the net underwriting expense ratio was 36.9% as compared to 34.6% in the prior year period. The increase of 2.3 percentage points was largely due to a decrease in ceding commission revenue resulting from the reduction of our personal lines quota share reinsurance rate to 20% on July, 1, 2017, from the prior rate of 40%. The net underwriting expense ratio, excluding the impact of ceding commission revenue and commission expense, declined 5.1 points, from 25.9% in the third quarter 2016 to 20.8% in the third quarter 2017. This decrease is driven by a decline in the impact from employment costs attributable to our growing core New York business, and a decline in other expenses. This ratio also includes a 1.0% impact related to expansion expenses in both the third quarter of 2017 and the third quarter of 2016.

Net Combined Ratio:

Kingstone’s net combined ratio was 69.8% for the three month period ended September 30, 2017, compared to 67.4% for the prior year period.

Other Operating Expenses not included in Net Combined Ratio:

For the quarter ended September 30, 2017, other operating expenses were $1.07 million, compared to $0.53 million in the prior period. The increase of $0.54 million includes $0.24 million of accrued long-term bonus compensation pursuant to the three year employment agreement effective January 1, 2017 with our Chief Executive Officer. In Q3-2016 there was no long-term bonus compensation plan in place.

Balance Sheet / Investment Portfolio

Kingstone’s cash and investment holdings were $155.7 million at September 30, 2017 compared to $109.0 million at September 30, 2016. The Company’s investment holdings are comprised primarily of investment grade corporate, mortgage-backed and municipal securities, with fixed income investments representing approximately 89.9% of total investments at September 30, 2017 and 89.3% at September 30, 2016. The Company’s effective duration on its fixed-income portfolio is 4.84 years.

Net investment income increased 45.7% to $1,033,000 for the third quarter of 2017 from $709,000 in the prior year period, largely due to an increase in invested assets. The purchase of higher rated and shorter duration securities has led to a reduction in the pre-tax equivalent investment yield on estimated annual income, excluding cash, to 3.84% at September 30, 2017 as compared to 4.17% as of September 30, 2016.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI), net of tax

As of September 30, 2017, AOCI was $1.31 million compared to $1.68 million at September 30, 2016.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Book Value

The Company’s book value per share at September 30, 2017 was $8.83, an increase of 23.3% compared to $7.16 at September 30, 2016.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Conference Call Details

Management will discuss the Company’s operations and financial results in a conference call on Friday, November 10, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. ET.

The dial-in numbers are:
(877) 407-3105 (U.S.)
(201) 493-6794 (International)

Accompanying Slide Presentation and Webcast

The Company will also have an accompanying slide presentation available in PDF format on the Kingstone Companies website at http://www.kingstonecompanies.com/. The presentation will be made available 30 minutes prior to the conference call. In addition, the call will be simultaneously webcast over the Internet via the Kingstone website or by clicking on the conference call link: http://kingstonecompanies.equisolvewebcast.com/q3-2017

The webcast will be archived and accessible for approximately 30 days.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures

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

Net written premiums- represents direct written premiums less premiums ceded to reinsurers.

Net premiums earned - is the GAAP measure most closely comparable to direct written premiums and net written premiums. Management uses direct written premiums and net written premiums, along with other measures, to gauge the Company’s performance and evaluate results. Direct written premiums and net written premiums are provided as supplemental information, are not a substitute for net premiums earned and do not reflect the Company’s net premiums earned.

The table below details the direct written premiums, net written premiums, and net premiums earned for the periods indicated:

Net operating income - is net income exclusive of realized investment gains, net of tax. Net income is the GAAP measure most closely comparable to net operating income.

Operating return on average common equity - is net operating income divided by average common equity. Return on average common equity is the GAAP measure most closely comparable to operating return on average common equity.

Management uses net operating income and operating return on average common equity, along with other measures, to gauge the Company’s performance and evaluate results, which can be skewed when including realized investment gains, which may vary significantly between periods. Net operating income and operating return on average common equity are provided as supplemental information, are not a substitute for net income or return on average common equity, and do not reflect the Company’s overall profitability or return on average common equity.

The following table reconciles the net operating income to net income and the operating return on average common equity to return on average common equity for the periods indicated:

Net combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes - is a non-GAAP ratio, which is computed as the difference between GAAP net combined ratio and the effect of catastrophes on the net combined ratio. We believe that this ratio is useful to investors and it is used by management to reveal the trends in our business that may be obscured by catastrophe losses. Catastrophe losses can cause our results to vary significantly between periods depending on their frequency and magnitude, and can have a significant impact on the net combined ratio. We believe it is useful for investors to evaluate this component separately and in the aggregate when reviewing our underwriting performance. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the net combined ratio. The net combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes should not be considered a substitute for the net combined ratio and does not reflect the Company’s net combined ratio.

The following table reconciles the net combined ratio excluding the effects of catastrophes to the net combined ratio for the periods indicated:

About Kingstone Companies, Inc.

Kingstone is a property and casualty insurance holding company whose principal operating subsidiary, Kingstone Insurance Company, is domiciled in the State of New York. Kingstone is a multi-line property and casualty insurance company writing business exclusively through independent retail and wholesale agents and brokers. Kingstone is licensed to write insurance policies in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Texas and Rhode Island. Kingstone offers property and casualty insurance products to individuals and small businesses primarily in New York State, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements in 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. More information about these factors can be found in Kingstone’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its latest Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K. Kingstone undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The following table summarizes gross and net written premiums¹, net premiums earned, and loss and loss adjustment expenses by major product type, which were determined based primarily on similar economic characteristics and risks of loss.

1. These measures are not based on GAAP and are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measure in “Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures” above.
2. Effective July 1, 2017, we decreased the quota share ceding rate in our personal lines quota share treaty from 40% to 20%. The Cut-off of this treaty on July 1, 2017 resulted in a $7,140,000 return of unearned premiums from our reinsurers that were previously ceded under the expiring personal lines quota share treaty.
3. “Other” includes, among other things, premiums and loss and loss adjustment expenses from commercial auto and our participation in a mandatory state joint underwriting association.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109006274/en/

Kingstone Companies, Inc.
Amanda M. Goldstein, 516-960-1319
Investor Relations Director

Source: Kingstone Companies, Inc.