ACE Reports Third Quarter 2007 Net Income of $656 Million, Up 13%.Operating Income Operating Income The profit realized from a business' own operations. Notes: This would not include income from things such as investments in other firms. Also referred to as operating profit or recurring profit. Increases 6% to $692 Million HAMILTON, Bermuda -- ACE Limited (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :ACE) today reported net income for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007, of $1.95 per ordinary share after payment of preferred dividends preferred dividend n. a payment of a corporation's profits to holders of preferred shares of stock. (See: preferred stock) , compared with net income of $1.73 per share for the same quarter last year. Income excluding net realized gains Realized Gain A gain resulting from selling an asset at a price higher than the original purchase price. Notes: There may be tax consequences for a realized profit. (losses) was $2.06 per share, compared with $1.96 per share for the same quarter of last year.(1) Book value increased $851 million in the quarter. [TABLE OMITTED] Net income for the first nine months of 2007 increased 22 percent to $5.98 per share, compared with $4.92 per share for the first nine months of 2006. For the first nine months of 2007, income excluding net realized gains (losses) and cumulative effect increased 18 percent to $6.02 per share, compared with $5.13 per share for the same period of 2006.(1)Book value increased $1.7 billion or 12% for the first nine months of 2007. [TABLE OMITTED] Evan Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ACE Limited, commented: "We had another excellent quarter, marked by strong earnings and book value growth. It was a particularly strong quarter given the record-breaking results of the third quarter last year. Year-to-date, operating and net income were up more than 18 percent and 22 percent, respectively, and book value has increased 12 percent or nearly $2 billion. ACE's global reach, product breadth and underwriting Underwriting 1. The process by which investment bankers raise investment capital from investors on behalf of corporations and governments that are issuing securities (both equity and debt). 2. The process of issuing insurance policies. insight are competitive advantages that enable us to take advantage of profitable opportunities around the world while we shrink those areas where prices and terms do not meet our standards." Other third quarter operating highlights were as follows: * P&C net premiums written decreased .6% compared with the prior year quarter. Insurance net premiums written increased 2% and reinsurance The contract made between an insurance company and a third party to protect the insurance company from losses. The contract provides for the third party to pay for the loss sustained by the insurance company when the company makes a payment on the original contract. net premiums written decreased 24%. * P&C net premiums earned increased 1% over the prior year quarter. Insurance net premiums earned increased 3% and reinsurance net premiums earned decreased 14%. * The combined ratio was 88.5% for the third quarter compared with 85.8% for the prior year quarter. The year-to-date combined ratio was 87.8% compared with 88.1% for the same period last year. * P&C underwriting income Underwriting income For an insurance company, the difference between the premiums earned and the costs of settling claims. was $350 million for the third quarter. * Prior period development was favorable fa·vor·a·ble adj. 1. Advantageous; helpful: favorable winds. 2. Encouraging; propitious: a favorable diagnosis. 3. $70 million pre-tax for the quarter versus unfavorable $17 million pre-tax for the same quarter last year. Year-to-date, prior period development was favorable $128 million pre-tax versus favorable $29 million pre-tax for the same period last year. * Pre-tax losses related to catastrophes were $21 million for the third quarter versus $6 million for the prior year quarter. Year-to-date, pre-tax losses related to catastrophes were $136 million versus $11 million for the same period last year. * Operating cash flow Operating cash flow Earnings before depreciation minus taxes. Measures the cash generated from operations, not counting capital spending or working capital requirements. amounted to $1.5 billion for the third quarter. * Invested assets increased by $2 billion or 5% during the third quarter to $41.9 billion. * Net unpaid losses and loss expenses increased $608 million to $22.6 billion from June 30, 2007. * Net investment income in the third quarter increased 19% over the prior year quarter to $492 million. * Shareholders' equity Shareholders' Equity A firms' total assets minus its total liabilities. Equivalently, it is share capital plus retained earnings minus treasury shares. Shareholders' equity is the amount by which a company is financed through common and preferred shares. at September 30, 2007, increased 12% from year-end 2006 to $16 billion. * Return on average equity for the third quarter was 18.1%; excluding FAS 115, it was 18.6%(3). Year-to-date, return on equity was 18.1%; excluding FAS 115, it was 18.8%. * Book value per share as of September 30, 2007, increased 6% from June 30, 2007, while tangible book value per share increased 7%(4). * Book value per share as of September 30, 2007, increased 12% from December 31, 2006, while tangible book value per share increased 15%(4). Details of our third quarter 2007 financial results for our business segments are available in the financial supplement. Key segment items include: * Insurance-North American: Net premiums written decreased 1% compared with the prior year quarter. The combined ratio was 88.8%. * Insurance-Overseas General: Net premiums written increased 6% over the prior year quarter. The combined ratio was 89.5%. * Global Reinsurance: Net premiums written decreased 24% over the prior year quarter. The combined ratio was 73.6%. * Life Insurance and Reinsurance: Net premiums written increased 38% over the prior year quarter. Income excluding net realized gains (losses) increased 31% over the prior year quarter to $47 million(1). Please refer to the ACE Limited Financial Supplement dated September 30, 2007, which is posted on the Company's website in the Investor Information section, and access Financial Reports for more detailed information on individual segment performance, together with additional disclosure on reinsurance recoverable, loss reserves, investment portfolio and capital structure. The URL URL in full Uniform Resource Locator Address of a resource on the Internet. The resource can be any type of file stored on a server, such as a Web page, a text file, a graphics file, or an application program. reference is: http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/nys/ace/reports/fin_supp_sep tember_30_2007.xls. (Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste To copy files from one location to another or to copy text and images from one document to another. All modern operating systems and applications have a copy and paste capability that is typically selected from an Edit menu. See cut and paste and Win Copy between windows. this hyperlink A predefined linkage between one object and another. See hypertext. hyperlink - anchor into your Internet browser's URL address field.) ACE will host its third quarter earnings conference call and webcast on Wednesday, October 24, 2007, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET. The earnings conference call will be available via live and archived webcast at www.acelimited.com or by dialing 888-230-5503 (within the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. ) or 913-312-0841 (international); passcode 8840600. Please refer to the ACE Limited website in the Investor Information section under Calendar of Events for details. A replay of the call will be available for approximately one month. To listen to the replay, dial: 888-203-1112 (in the United States) or 719-457-0820 (international); passcode 8840600. The ACE Group of Companies is a global leader in insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited, a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index, the ACE Group of Companies conducts its business on a worldwide basis with operating subsidiaries An operating subsidiary is a business term frequently used within the United States railroad industry. In the case of a railroad, it refers to a company that is a subsidiary but operates with its own identity and rolling stock. in more than 50 countries. Additional information can be found at: www.acelimited.com. (1) Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Operating Income or Income excluding net realized gains (losses) and cumulative effect, net of tax is a common performance measurement for insurance companies. We believe this presentation enhances the understanding of our results of operations by highlighting the underlying profitability of our insurance business. We exclude net realized gains (losses) and net realized gains (losses) included in Other (income) expense related to partially-owned insurance companies because the amount of these gains (losses) is heavily influenced by, and fluctuates in part according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. , the availability of market opportunities. We exclude the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle net of tax because this amount resulted in a one-time adjustment to income. Underwriting income is calculated by subtracting losses and loss expenses, life and annuity benefits, policy acquisition costs and administrative expenses from net premiums earned. We use underwriting income and operating ratios Operating Ratio A ratio that shows the efficiency of management by comparing operating expense to net sales: to monitor the results of our operations without the impact of certain factors, including net investment income, other (income) expense, interest and income tax expense and net realized gains (losses). We believe the use of these measures enhances the understanding of our results of operations by highlighting the underlying profitability of our insurance business. Tangible shareholders' equity is shareholders' equity less goodwill. See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures beginning on page 21 in the financial supplement. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for net income determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles The standard accounting rules, regulations, and procedures used by companies in maintaining their financial records. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) provide companies and accountants with a consistent set of guidelines that cover both broad accounting (GAAP GAAP See: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles GAAP See generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). ). (2 )The cumulative effect is a benefit resulting from the inclusion of a forfeiture The involuntary relinquishment of money or property without compensation as a consequence of a breach or nonperformance of some legal obligation or the commission of a crime. The loss of a corporate charter or franchise as a result of illegality, malfeasance, or Nonfeasance. rate on restricted stock in our stock compensation expense calculations, as required under Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) 123R. (3) Calculated using income excluding net realized gains (losses). (4) Book value per ordinary share is ordinary shareholders' equity divided by the shares outstanding. Tangible book value per ordinary share is ordinary shareholders' equity less goodwill divided by the shares outstanding. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. : Forward-looking statements made in this press release reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance and are made pursuant to the safe harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. For example, the Company's forward-looking statements could be affected by competition, pricing and policy term trends, the levels of new and renewal business achieved, market acceptance, changes in demand, the frequency of unpredictable catastrophic events, actual loss experience, uncertainties in the reserving or settlement process, new theories of liability, judicial, legislative, regulatory and other governmental developments, litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. tactics and developments, investigation developments and actual settlement terms, the amount and timing of reinsurance recoverable, credit developments among reinsurers, actual market developments, rating agency action, possible terrorism or the outbreak and effects of war and economic, political, regulatory, insurance and reinsurance business conditions, as well as management's response to these factors, and other factors identified in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] Ratios exclude life insurance and reinsurance business [TABLE OMITTED] |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion