Watford Reports 2020 First Quarter Results

PEMBROKE, Bermuda, May 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WATFORD HOLDINGS LTD. (“Watford” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: WTRE) today reported a net loss of $267.8 million, after $1.2 million of preference dividends, for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to net income of $47.6 million, after payment of $4.9 million of preference dividends, for the same period in 2019. Book value per diluted common share was $28.21 at March 31, 2020, a decrease of 35.1% from December 31, 2019.  The quarterly results include:
Net loss available to common shareholders of $267.8 million, or $(13.42) per diluted common share, compared to net income of $47.6 million, or $2.10 per diluted common share, for the 2019 first quarter;Combined ratio of 104.4%, comprised of a 79.0% loss ratio, a 20.3% acquisition expense ratio and a 5.1% general and administrative expense ratio, compared to a combined ratio of 104.1% for the prior year first quarter, comprised of a 75.9% loss ratio, a 23.3% acquisition expense ratio and a 4.9% general and administrative expense ratio;Net interest income of $27.8 million, a 1.4% yield on average net assets, for the 2020 first quarter, compared to net interest income of $30.4 million and a 1.5% yield on average net assets for the 2019 first quarter;Net investment loss of $262.7 million, a (13.0)% return on average net assets for the 2020 first quarter, compared to net investment income of $58.4 million and a 2.8% return on average net assets for the 2019 first quarter; andDuring the quarter, the Company repurchased 127,744 common shares at an average price of $22.42 per share for an aggregate cost of $2.9 million under its previously announced $50 million share repurchase program. As of March 31, 2020, up to approximately $47.1 million of share repurchases were available under this program.In addition, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic in relation to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The pandemic is causing unprecedented social disruption, global economic volatility, reduced liquidity of capital markets and intervention by various governments around the world.At this time, there are significant uncertainties surrounding the ultimate number of insurance claims and scope of damage resulting from this pandemic. The Company’s estimates across its insurance and reinsurance lines of business are based on currently available information derived from modeling techniques, preliminary claims information obtained from the Company’s clients and brokers, a review of relevant in-force contracts with potential exposure to the pandemic and estimates of reinsurance recoverables. These estimates include losses only related to claims incurred as of March 31, 2020. Actual losses from these events may vary materially from the estimates due to several factors, including the inherent uncertainties in making such determinations and the evolving nature of this pandemic.Commenting on the 2020 first quarter financial results, Jon Levy, CEO of Watford, said:“First of all, we would like to acknowledge the challenging times that the COVID-19 pandemic has created, and express how grateful we are to those on the frontlines serving their communities.  Watford is also committed to supporting our customers and clients through this stressful period.  I would like to thank the broader Watford team for their efforts to deliver the same level of excellence in operations under these extraordinarily difficult circumstances.As reported in our press release on April 23, 2020, our results for the first quarter were heavily affected by the investment market volatility caused by the economic shutdown mandated by governments around the world.  The pandemic has had significant impacts across the globe, and Watford took its share of that impact, although not to a greater extent than anticipated for an event of this magnitude.Our net loss of $267.8 million for the quarter was driven by a $262.7 million net investment loss.  The net investment loss, in turn, was predominantly the result of $285.5 million of unrealized “mark-to-market” losses in our non-investment grade fixed-income portfolio.Net interest income, a key driver of long-term shareholder value, remained steady and strong at $27.8 million, representing a quarterly yield on net assets of 1.4%.Our combined ratio for the quarter was 104.4%, and 102.2% when adjusted for other underwriting income and certain corporate and nonrecurring expenses.  While the COVID-19 pandemic has created significant areas of uncertainty for the property and casualty insurance industry, the impact on our first quarter underwriting results was not material, as we believe our mix of business is less exposed to the classes of business likely to be most affected.Insurance and reinsurance market conditions continue to move in a favorable direction and we remain optimistic about our positioning in the marketplace.”UnderwritingThe following table summarizes the Company’s underwriting results on a consolidated basis:(1) Underwriting income (loss) is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure and is calculated as net premiums earned, less loss and loss adjustment expenses, acquisition expenses and general and administrative expenses. See “Comments on Regulation G” for further discussion, including a reconciliation of underwriting income (loss) to net income (loss) available to common shareholders.(2) Adjusted combined ratio is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure and is calculated by dividing the sum of loss and loss adjustment expenses, acquisition expenses and general and administrative expenses, less certain corporate expenses, by the sum of net premiums earned and other underwriting income (loss). See “Comments on Regulation G” for further discussion, including a reconciliation of our adjusted combined ratio to our combined ratio.The following table provides summary information regarding premiums written and earned by line of business:The following table shows the components of our loss and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:Results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus 2019:Gross and net premiums written in the 2020 first quarter were 25.8% and 28.4% higher, respectively, than the 2019 first quarter.  The increase in gross and net premiums written reflect growth across all lines of business. Casualty reinsurance and other specialty reinsurance premiums increased over the prior year quarter, primarily due to increased personal and commercial auto writings.Net premiums earned in the 2020 first quarter were 4.1% lower than the 2019 first quarter. The decrease in premiums reflected a non-renewal of one multi-line quota share contract within casualty reinsurance and a non-recurring exposure within other specialty reinsurance earned in the first quarter of 2019. This was partially offset by increased writings in insurance programs and coinsurance, and, to a lesser extent, property catastrophe reinsurance.The loss ratio was 79.0% in the 2020 first quarter compared to 75.9% in the 2019 first quarter. The acquisition expense ratio was 20.3% in the 2020 first quarter, compared to 23.3% in the 2019 first quarter. In the 2020 first quarter, the increase in loss ratio and corresponding decrease in acquisition expense ratio were driven by losses incurred related to COVID-19 and impacted other specialty reinsurance business.  A portion of this increase in losses is offset by loss sensitive commission decreases, which are reflected as benefits to the acquisition ratio. Other movements reflect changes in mix and the type of business. The prior year loss reserve development for both the 2020 and 2019 first quarters was essentially flat.The general and administrative expense ratio was 5.1% in the 2020 first quarter, compared to 4.9% in the 2019 first quarter. The 0.2 point increase versus the prior year first quarter was attributable to ongoing public company expenses. Removing certain corporate expenses, our adjusted general and administrative expense ratio was 3.0% in the 2020 first quarter compared to 3.5% in the 2019 first quarter.InvestmentsThe following table summarizes the Company’s key investment returns on a consolidated basis:(1) Net interest income yield on average net assets and net investment income return on average net assets are calculated by dividing net interest income, and net investment income (loss), respectively, by average net assets. Net assets is calculated as the sum of total investments, accrued investment income and receivables for securities sold, less revolving credit agreement borrowings, payable for securities purchased and payable for securities sold short. For the three-month period, average net assets is calculated using the averages of each quarterly period. However, for the investment grade portfolio component of these returns, revolving credit agreement borrowings are not subtracted from the net assets calculation. The separate components of these returns (non-investment grade portfolio and investment grade portfolio) are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures. See “Comments on Regulation G” for further discussion, including a reconciliation of these components of our net interest income yield on average net assets and net investment income return on average net assets.(2) Net investment income return on average total investments (excluding accrued investment income) is calculated by dividing net investment income by average total investments. For the three-month period, average total investments is calculated using the averages of each quarterly period. The separate components of these returns (non-investment grade portfolio and investment grade portfolio) are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures. See “Comments on Regulation G” for further discussion, including a reconciliation of these components of our net investment income return on average total investments (excluding accrued investment income).The following tables summarize the composition of the Company’s non-investment grade and investment grade portfolios by sector as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:(1) Includes telecommunications, utilities and basic materials.(1) Includes telecommunications, utilities and basic materials.The table below summarizes the credit quality of the Company’s non-investment grade and investment grade portfolios as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, as rated by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC, or Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service, or Moody’s, Fitch Ratings Inc., or Fitch, Kroll Bond Rating Agency, or KBRA, or DBRS Morningstar, or DBRS, as applicable:(1) For individual fixed maturity investments, Standard & Poor’s ratings are used. In the absence of a Standard & Poor’s rating, ratings from Moody’s are used, followed by ratings from Fitch, followed by ratings from KBRA, followed by ratings from DBRS.(1) For individual fixed maturity investments, Standard & Poor’s ratings are used. In the absence of a Standard & Poor’s rating, ratings from Moody’s are used, followed by ratings from Fitch, followed by ratings from KBRA, followed by ratings from DBRS.Corporate FunctionThe Company has a corporate function that includes general and administrative expenses related to corporate activities, interest expense, net foreign exchange gains (losses), income tax expense and items related to the Company’s contingently redeemable preference shares.The Company incurred an interest expense of $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, in relation to the Company’s 6.5% senior notes issued on July 2, 2019. Interest is paid semi-annually in arrears on January 2 and July 2.Preference dividends were $1.2 million and $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.During the quarter, the Company repurchased 127,744 common shares at an average price of $22.42 per share for an aggregate cost of $2.9 million. As of March 31, 2020, up to approximately $47.1 million of share repurchases were available under the program. In light of COVID-19 and the uncertain economic outlook, the Company has temporarily halted repurchases under the program.Conference CallThe Company will hold a conference call on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its 2020 first quarter results. The Company also plans to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic could impact its underwriting and investment portfolios in future periods and certain actions the Company has taken in response to the crisis. A live webcast of this call will be available via the Investors section of the Company’s website at http://investors.watfordre.com. A replay of the conference call will also be available via the Investors section of the Company’s website beginning on May 6, 2020.About Watford Holdings Ltd.Watford Holdings Ltd. is a global property and casualty insurance and reinsurance company with approximately $788.9 million in capital as of March 31, 2020, comprised of: $172.5 million of senior notes, $52.3 million of contingently redeemable preference shares and $564.1 million of common shareholders’ equity, with operations in Bermuda, the United States and Europe. Its operating subsidiaries have been assigned financial strength ratings of “A-” (Excellent) from A.M. Best and “A” from Kroll Bond Rating Agency.  On May 1, 2020, A.M. Best announced that it had placed under review with negative implications the financial strength ratings of our operating subsidiaries.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)
(1) The weighted average non-vested restricted share units are excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2020, due to a net loss reported.(1) During the first quarter of 2020, the Company granted 63,591 restricted share units and common shares to certain employees and directors, 48,917 of which are non-vested as of March 31, 2020.  During the second quarter of 2019, the Company granted 165,287 restricted share units and common shares to certain employees and directors, 82,360 of which are non-vested as of March 31, 2020.Comments on Regulation GThroughout this release, the Company presents its operations in the way it believes will be the most meaningful and useful to investors, analysts, rating agencies and others who use the Company’s financial information in evaluating the performance of the Company and that investors and such other persons benefit from having a consistent basis for comparison between quarters and for comparison with other companies within the industry. These measures may not, however, be comparable to similarly titled measures used by companies outside of the insurance industry. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures in assessing the Company’s overall financial performance.This presentation includes the use of “underwriting income (loss)” (which is defined as net premiums earned less loss and loss adjustment expenses, acquisition expenses and general and administrative expenses), “adjusted underwriting income (loss)” (which is defined as underwriting income (loss) plus other underwriting income (loss) less certain corporate expenses), and “adjusted combined ratio” (which is calculated by dividing the sum of loss and loss adjustment expenses, acquisition expenses and general and administrative expenses, less certain corporate expenses, by the sum of net premiums earned and other underwriting income (loss)).  Certain corporate expenses are generally comprised of non-recurring costs of the holding company, such as costs associated with the initial setup of subsidiaries, as well as costs associated with the ongoing operations of the holding company such as compensation of certain executives.The presentation of underwriting income (loss), adjusted underwriting income (loss) and the adjusted combined ratio are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures as defined in Regulation G. The reconciliation of such measures to net income (loss) available to common shareholders (the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure) in accordance with Regulation G is included on the following pages of this release.Underwriting income (loss) is useful in evaluating our underwriting performance, without regard to other underwriting income (losses), net investment income (losses), net foreign exchange gains (losses), interest expense, income tax expenses and preference dividends, and adjusted underwriting income (loss) is useful in evaluating our underwriting performance, without regard to net investment income (losses), net foreign exchange gains (losses), interest expense, income tax expenses, preference dividends and certain corporate expenses, and the adjusted combined ratio is a key indicator of our profitability, without regard to certain corporate expenses.  The Company believes that preference dividends, income tax expense, foreign exchange gains (losses), interest expense, net investment income (loss), other underwriting income (loss) and certain corporate expenses in any particular period are not indicative of the performance of, or trends in, the Company’s underwriting performance. Although preference dividends, income tax expense, foreign exchange gains (losses), interest expense, net investment income (loss) and other underwriting income (loss) are an integral part of the Company’s operations, the decision to realize investment gains or losses, the recognition of the change in the carrying value of investments accounted for using the fair value option in net realized gains or losses, and the recognition of foreign exchange gains or losses are independent of the underwriting process and result, in large part, from general economic and financial market conditions. Furthermore, certain users of the Company’s financial information believe that, for many companies, the timing of the realization of investment gains or losses is largely opportunistic. The Company believes that certain corporate expenses, due to their non-recurring nature, are not indicative of the performance of, or trends in, the Company’s business performance. Due to these reasons, the Company excludes preference dividends, income tax expense, foreign exchange gains (losses), interest expense, net investment income (loss), other underwriting income (loss) from the calculation of underwriting income (loss), and excludes preference dividends, income tax expense, foreign exchange gains (losses), interest expense, net investment income (loss) and certain corporate expenses from the calculation of adjusted underwriting income (loss) and the adjusted combined ratio.The Company believes that showing underwriting income (loss), adjusted underwriting income (loss) and the adjusted combined ratio exclusive of the items referred to above reflects the underlying fundamentals of the Company’s business since the Company evaluates the performance of its business using underwriting income (loss), adjusted underwriting income (loss) and the adjusted combined ratio. The Company believes that this presentation enables investors and other users of the Company’s financial information to analyze the Company’s performance in a manner similar to how the Company’s management analyzes performance. The Company also believes that this measure follows industry practice and, therefore, allows the users of the Company’s financial information to compare the Company’s performance with its industry peer group. The Company believes that the equity analysts and certain rating agencies, which follow the Company and the insurance industry as a whole generally exclude these items from their analysis for the same reasons.This presentation also includes the non-investment grade portfolio and investment grade portfolio components of our investment returns: “net interest income yield on average net assets” (calculated as net interest income divided by average net assets), “net investment income return on average total investments (excluding accrued investment income)” (calculated as net investment income divided by average total investments), and “net investment income return on average net assets” (calculated as net investment income divided by average net assets). Net assets is calculated as the sum of total investments, accrued investment income and receivables for securities sold, less revolving credit agreement borrowings, payable for securities purchased and payables for securities sold short. For the three-month period, average net assets is calculated using the averages of each quarterly period. However, for the investment grade portfolio component of these returns, the impact of the revolving credit agreement borrowings is not subtracted from net interest income, net investment income (loss) or the net assets calculation.The presentation of the separate components of our investment returns (non-investment grade portfolio and investment grade portfolio) are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures as defined in Regulation G. The reconciliation of such measures to net interest income and net investment income (loss), the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, in accordance with Regulation G is included on the following pages of this release.The non-investment grade portfolio and investment grade portfolio components of our investment returns (net interest income yield on average net assets, net investment income return on average net assets and on average total investments (excluding accrued investment income), respectively) are useful in evaluating our investment performance. The non-investment grade portfolio components of these investment returns reflect the performance of our investment strategy under HPS Investment Partners, LLC (“HPS”), which includes the use of leverage. The investment grade portfolio component of these returns reflects the performance of the investment portfolios that predominantly support our underwriting collateral.The following tables present a reconciliation of underwriting income (loss) to net income (loss) available to common shareholders, and a reconciliation of adjusted underwriting income (loss) to underwriting income (loss):The adjusted combined ratio reconciles to the combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 as follows:(1) Adjustments include certain corporate expenses, which are deducted from general and administrative expenses, and other underwriting income (loss), which is added to net premiums earned.The following tables summarize the components of our total investment return for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:(1) Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments excludes unrealized gains and losses from the available for sale portfolios, which are recorded in other comprehensive income.(2) Net investment income return on average total investments (excluding accrued investment income) is calculated by dividing net investment income by average total investments. For the three-month period, average total investments is calculated using the average of the beginning and ending balance of each quarterly period. However, for the investment grade portfolio component of these returns, the impact of revolving credit agreement borrowings is not subtracted from net investment income.(3) Net interest income yield on average net assets and net investment income return on average net assets are calculated by dividing net interest income, and net investment income (loss), respectively, by average net assets. For the non-investment grade component of investment returns and total investment returns, net assets is calculated as the sum of total investments, accrued investment income and receivables for securities sold, less total revolving credit agreement borrowings, payable for securities purchased and payable for securities sold short.  However, for the investment grade portfolio component of these returns, the impact of the revolving credit agreement borrowings is not subtracted from net interest income, net investment income (loss), or the net assets calculation.(4) The cost of underwriting collateral is calculated as the revolving credit agreement expenses for the investment grade portfolios divided by the average total revolving credit agreement borrowings for the investment grade portfolios during the period.(1) The non-investment grade borrowing ratio is calculated as revolving credit agreement borrowings divided by net assets.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThe Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”) provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. This release or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company may include forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in or incorporated by reference in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, for purposes of the PSLRA or otherwise, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe” or “continue” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature or their negative or variations or similar terminology. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company’s return on equity potential and prospects for further book value growth.Forward-looking statements involve the Company’s current assessment of risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Important factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements are discussed below and elsewhere in this release and in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and include:our limited operating history;fluctuations in the results of our operations;our ability to compete successfully with more established competitors;our losses exceeding our reserves;downgrades, potential downgrades or other negative actions by rating agencies, including A.M. Best’s recent announcement that it has placed under review with negative implications the financial strength and credit ratings of our operating subsidiaries;our dependence on key executives and inability to attract qualified personnel, or the potential loss of Bermudian personnel as a result of Bermuda employment restrictions;our dependence on letter of credit facilities that may not be available on commercially acceptable terms;our potential inability to pay dividends or distributions;our potential need for additional capital in the future and the potential unavailability of such capital to us on favorable terms or at all;our dependence on clients’ evaluations of risks associated with such clients’ insurance underwriting;the suspension or revocation of our subsidiaries’ insurance licenses;Watford Holdings potentially being deemed an investment company under U.S. federal securities law;the potential characterization of us and/or any of our subsidiaries as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”);our dependence on certain subsidiaries of Arch Capital Group Ltd. (“Arch”) for services critical to our underwriting operations;changes to our strategic relationship with Arch or the termination by Arch of any of our services agreements or quota share agreements;our dependence on HPS and Arch Investment Management Ltd. (“AIM”) to implement our investment strategy;the termination by HPS or AIM of any of our investment management agreements;risks associated with our investment strategy being greater than those faced by competitors;changes in the regulatory environment;our potentially becoming subject to U.S. federal income taxation;our potentially becoming subject to U.S. withholding and information reporting requirements under the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) provisions;our ability to complete acquisitions and integrate businesses successfully;adverse general economic and market conditions, including those caused by pandemics, including COVID-19, and government actions in response thereto; andthe other matters set forth under Item 1A “Risk Factors,” Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and other sections of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the other factors set forth in the Company’s other documents on file with the SEC, and management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors.All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with other cautionary statements that are included herein or elsewhere. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.ContactRobert L. Hawley: (441) 278-3456rhawley@watfordre.com