American Equity Reports Second Quarter 2014 Results
August 5, 2014 by Business Wire
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 30, 2014--
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE: AEL), a leading underwriter of index and fixed rate annuities, today reported second quarter 2014 net income of $36.7 million, or $0.46 per diluted common share, compared to second quarter 2013 net income of $120.1 million, or $1.71 per diluted common share.
Non-GAAP operating income(1) for the second quarter of 2014 was $38.5 million, or $0.48 per diluted common share, compared to second quarter 2013 non-GAAP operating income(1) of $30.3 million, or $0.43 per diluted common share.
Highlights for the second quarter of 2014 include:
-- Annuity sales (before coinsurance) were $1.04 billion compared to first
quarter 2014 annuity sales of $921 million.
-- Total invested assets were $33.1 billion (amortized cost basis = $30.6
billion).
-- Investment spread was 2.70% compared to 2.77% for the first quarter of
2014 and 2.70% for the second quarter of 2013.
-- Estimated risk-based capital (RBC) ratio at June 30, 2014 remained above
A. M. Best's rating threshold at 356% compared to 344% at December 31,
2013.
-- Book value per share (excluding accumulated other comprehensive income)
was $18.19 at June 30, 2014 compared to $18.75 at December 31, 2013.
(1) In addition to net income, we have consistently utilized operating income and operating income per common share — assuming dilution, non-GAAP financial measures commonly used in the life insurance industry, as economic measures to evaluate our financial performance. See accompanying tables for reconciliations of net income to operating income and descriptions of reconciling items. See Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a more complete discussion of the reconciling items and their impact on net income for the periods presented. Because these items fluctuate from period to period in a manner unrelated to core operations, we believe measures excluding their impact are useful in analyzing operating trends. We believe the combined presentation and evaluation of operating income together with net income, provides information that may enhance an investor’s understanding of our underlying results and profitability.
The diluted share count for second quarter 2014 was 79.5 million shares compared to 70.4 million shares for the second quarter of 2013. This increase was attributable to (i) shares issued for retirement of convertible notes and the exercise of stock options and (ii) greater dilution from convertible notes, warrants and stock options because the Company’s common stock price was substantially higher in the second quarter of 2014 compared to the second quarter of 2013.
UPCOMING INITIATIVES EXPECTED TO ENHANCE COMPETITIVE POSITION
Commenting on second quarter results, founder and Executive Chairman David J. Noble said: “We are pleased to see quarterly sales back above the $1 billion level, but we also see opportunities to increase sales. In early August, we will launch three initiatives intended to enhance our competitive position: a new index crediting strategy, revisions to the payouts under our lifetime income benefit rider and a new option for payment of commissions to independent agents. We are optimistic that these initiatives will be favorably received and help us achieve our goals of at least 10% annual growth in policyholder liabilities under management and a double digit operating return on average equity.”
CASH FROM AGENCY CALLS CAUSES TEMPORARY SPREAD DECLINE
American Equity’s investment spread was 2.70% for the second quarter of 2014 compared to 2.77% for the first quarter of 2014. This decrease was primarily due to a 0.12% decrease in the average yield on invested assets, to 4.83% for the second quarter of 2014 from 4.95% for the first quarter of 2014. Much of this decrease was attributable to higher levels of low yielding cash and short-term investments during the quarter which primarily resulted from calls of $500 million of U.S. Government agency securities in April 2014. Cash and short-term investments will remain above normal operating levels for a portion of the third quarter but are expected to return to normal operating levels by the end of the third quarter of 2014.
The average yield on invested assets continues to be impacted by the investment of new premiums and portfolio cash flows at rates below the portfolio rate. The average yield on fixed income securities purchased and commercial mortgage loans funded in the second quarter of 2014 was 4.15%, compared to an average yield of 4.39% in the first quarter of 2014.
The aggregate cost of money for annuity liabilities was 2.13% in the second quarter of 2014 compared to 2.18% in the first quarter of 2014. This decrease reflected continued reductions in crediting rates and a benefit from hedging the obligations for index linked interest of 0.03%.
Commenting on investment spread, John Matovina, Chief Executive Officer and President, said: “Over the past few years we have worked to achieve our targeted investment spread by managing new money and renewal crediting rates to fairly reflect interest rate conditions. The investing environment is challenging again this year with both lower rates on benchmark treasuries and narrower credit spreads. We are balancing achievement of spread targets with the need to offer competitive new money rates and thus have been reluctant to reduce new money rates so far this year. However, reductions in new money rates are likely should current interest rate conditions continue.”
Matovina continued, “Even after the rate reductions of the past several years, we are encouraged that we still have significant room to reduce crediting rates and maintain our spread. If all fixed rates, caps and participation rates were reduced to guaranteed minimums, our cost of money would decrease by approximately 0.59%. Equally important is our commitment to delivering satisfactory returns to our policyholders. The structure of our products allows policyholders to safely earn equity linked returns while avoiding the risk of direct equity market exposure.”
CONVERTIBLE DEBT RETIREMENT PROGRESSES
During the quarter, the Company further reduced its debt leverage and potential dilution from increases in the Company’s stock price through the retirement of additional convertible notes. The Company has now retired $238 million aggregate principal amount of its two outstanding convertible debt instruments, including the $51 million that was retired this quarter. The total consideration paid by the Company in the second quarter included $65 million of cash and 1,496,664 shares of the Company’s common stock. The second quarter retirements reduced book value per share by $0.49 and net income for the second quarter included $0.07 from the loss on extinguishment of debt.
At June 30, 2014, the Company had approximately $96 million of net proceeds remaining from its July 2013 $400 million 6.625% Senior Notes due 2021 offering. The Company intends to use these net proceeds to redeem or repurchase the $78 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes that were outstanding at June 30, 2014. The form and timing of any such activity will be dependent upon market conditions and other factors and there can be no assurance that any transactions can be completed prior to the December 2014 call date for the 5.25% convertible notes or the September 2015 maturity date for the 3.50% convertible notes.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments, and are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Statements such as “guidance”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “goal”, “objective”, “target”, “may”, “should”, “estimate”, “projects” or similar words as well as specific projections of future results qualify as forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward looking statements can be found in the company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made and the company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by the company will not materially and adversely affect our results of operations. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.
CONFERENCE CALL
American Equity will hold a conference call to discuss second quarter 2014 earnings on Thursday, July 31, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. CDT. The conference call will be webcast live on the Internet. Investors and interested parties who wish to listen to the call on the Internet may do so at www.american-equity.com.
The call may also be accessed by telephone at 877-703-6105, passcode 68268438 (international callers, please dial 857-244-7304). An audio replay will be available shortly after the call on AEL’s website. An audio replay will also be available via telephone through August 7, 2014 at 1-888-286-8010, passcode 38108885 (international callers will need to dial 617-801-6888).
ABOUT AMERICAN EQUITY
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, through its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, is a full service underwriter of fixed annuity and life insurance products, with a primary emphasis on the sale of index and fixed rate annuities. American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, a New York Stock Exchange Listed company (NYSE: AEL), is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa. For more information, please visit www.american-equity.com.
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
------------------------ --------------------------
2014 2013 2014 2013
------------ ---------- ----------- -------------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Revenues:
Premiums and other
considerations
(a) $ 9,123 $ 11,551 $ 16,454 $ 24,635
Annuity product
charges 29,247 23,511 54,519 44,992
Net investment
income 370,882 336,143 740,887 665,833
Change in fair
value of
derivatives 270,883 64,040 319,376 438,002
Net realized gains
(losses) on
investments,
excluding other
than temporary
impairment
("OTTI") losses (2,230) 15,689 (2,944) 26,274
OTTI losses on
investments:
Total OTTI
losses -- (2,775) -- (4,964)
Portion of OTTI
losses
recognized from
other
comprehensive
income (594) -- (1,499) (1,048)
------- -------- --------- ---------
Net OTTI losses
recognized in
operations (594) (2,775) (1,499) (6,012)
Loss on
extinguishment of
debt (6,574) (589) (10,551) (589)
------- -------- --------- ---------
Total revenues 670,737 447,570 1,116,242 1,193,135
------- -------- --------- ---------
Benefits and
expenses:
Insurance policy
benefits and
change in future
policy benefits
(a) 10,987 13,768 21,082 28,528
Interest sensitive
and index product
benefits (a) 367,774 333,001 684,966 556,171
Amortization of
deferred sales
inducements 55,349 120,536 56,015 149,367
Change in fair
value of embedded
derivatives 80,935 (408,409) 173,554 (45,137)
Interest expense
on notes payable 9,121 6,780 19,385 14,028
Interest expense
on subordinated
debentures 3,024 3,018 6,032 6,027
Amortization of
deferred policy
acquisition
costs 67,084 169,270 74,278 215,500
Other operating
costs and
expenses 20,887 24,851 39,972 44,371
------- -------- --------- ---------
Total benefits and
expenses 615,161 262,815 1,075,284 968,855
------- -------- --------- ---------
Income before income
taxes 55,576 184,755 40,958 224,280
Income tax expense 18,832 64,642 13,967 78,136
------- -------- --------- ---------
Net income $ 36,744 $ 120,113 $ 26,991 $ 146,144
======= ======== ========= =========
Earnings per common
share $ 0.49 $ 1.87 $ 0.37 $ 2.29
Earnings per common
share - assuming
dilution $ 0.46 $ 1.71 $ 0.34 $ 2.09
Weighted average
common shares
outstanding (in
thousands):
Earnings per
common share 74,461 64,254 73,495 63,787
Earnings per
common share -
assuming
dilution 79,518 70,382 79,583 69,882
(a) The Company made an immaterial correction in the presentation of
premiums, insurance policy benefits and change in future policy benefits
and interest sensitive and index product benefits related to life
contingent immediate annuities. We have revised the 2013 consolidated
statement of operations above to be consistent with the 2014 presentation.
These changes had no impact on the Company's consolidated balance sheets,
net income or stockholders' equity.
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
In addition to net income, we have consistently utilized operating income and operating income per common share – assuming dilution, non-GAAP financial measures commonly used in the life insurance industry, as economic measures to evaluate our financial performance. Operating income equals net income adjusted to eliminate the impact of net realized gains and losses on investments including net OTTI losses recognized in operations, fair value changes in derivatives and embedded derivatives, loss on extinguishment of debt and changes in litigation reserves. Because these items fluctuate from quarter to quarter in a manner unrelated to core operations, we believe measures excluding their impact are useful in analyzing operating trends. We believe the combined presentation and evaluation of operating income together with net income provides information that may enhance an investor’s understanding of our underlying results and profitability.
Reconciliation from Net Income to Operating Income (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
---------------------- ---------------------
2014 2013 2014 2013
----------- --------- -------- -----------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net income $36,744 $120,113 $26,991 $146,144
Adjustments to arrive at
operating income: (a)
Net realized investment
(gains) losses,
including OTTI 1,361 (3,574) 1,925 (6,378)
Change in fair value of
derivatives and
embedded derivatives -
index annuities (4,115) (81,351) 39,593 (70,378)
Change in fair value of
derivatives and
embedded derivatives -
debt (1,053) (3,302) 456 (4,038)
Litigation reserve -- (1,969) (916) (1,969)
Extinguishment of debt 5,518 345 7,912 345
------ ------- ------ -------
Operating income (a
non-GAAP financial
measure) $38,455 $ 30,262 $75,961 $ 63,726
====== ======= ====== =======
Per common share -
assuming dilution:
Net income $ 0.46 $ 1.71 $ 0.34 $ 2.09
Adjustments to arrive at
operating income:
Net realized
investment (gains)
losses, including
OTTI 0.01 (0.05) 0.02 (0.09)
Change in fair value
of derivatives and
embedded derivatives
- index annuities (0.05) (1.15) 0.50 (1.00)
Change in fair value
of derivatives and
embedded derivatives
- debt (0.01) (0.05) -- (0.06)
Litigation reserve -- (0.03) (0.01) (0.03)
Extinguishment of debt 0.07 -- 0.10 --
------ ------- ------ -------
Operating income (a
non-GAAP financial
measure) $ 0.48 $ 0.43 $ 0.95 $ 0.91
====== ======= ====== =======
(a) Adjustments to net income to arrive at operating income are presented
net of income taxes and where applicable, are net of related adjustments
to amortization of deferred sales inducements (DSI) and deferred policy
acquisition costs (DAC).
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Average Stockholders’ Equity and Return on Average Equity
Return on equity measures how efficiently we generate profits from the resources provided by our net assets. Return on equity is calculated by dividing net income and operating income for the trailing twelve months by average equity excluding average accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”).
Twelve Months Ended
June 30, 2014
--------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Average Stockholders' Equity (1)
Average equity including average AOCI $ 1,677,943
Average AOCI (400,176)
-----------------
Average equity excluding average AOCI $ 1,277,767
================= ===
Net income $ 134,130
Operating income 175,655
Return on Average Equity Excluding Average
AOCI
Net income 10.50%
Operating income 13.75%
1 – simple average based on stockholders’ equity at beginning and end of the twelve month period.
CONTACT: American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
John M. Matovina, 515-457-1813
Chief Executive Officer
jmatovina@american-equity.com
or
Ted M. Johnson, 515-457-1980
Chief Financial Officer
tjohnson@american-equity.com
or
Debra J. Richardson, 515-273-3551
Chief Administrative Officer
drichardson@american-equity.com
or
Julie L. LaFollette, 515-273-3602
Director of Investor Relations
jlafollette@american-equity.com
SOURCE: American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
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