Universal Reports Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

• Diluted GAAP earnings per common share (EPS) of $0.82; diluted adjusted* EPS of $0.72
• Book value per share of $9.47, up 10.9% from third quarter 2022; adjusted book value per share of $12.89, up 4.5% from third quarter 2022
• Net combined ratio of 101.4%, down from 131.4% in the prior year quarter
• Direct premiums written of $416.1 million, up 4.2% from the prior year quarter

Universal Insurance Holdings (NYSE: UVE) (the “Company” or “Universal”) reported fourth quarter and full year 2022 results.

“It was a tough year, but I’m proud of what our team accomplished despite the circumstances,” said Stephen J. Donaghy, Chief Executive Officer. “The Florida homeowners insurance market has faced significant challenges, but we remain committed to our home state and continue to write new and renewal business. We’re grateful to state officials for passing meaningful reforms at the recent special legislative session, including elimination of one-way attorney fees and assignment-of-benefits, shortening the claims filing deadline to one year and taking steps to reduce the competitiveness of Citizens, among other measures. It will take time for the reforms to benefit results, but we believe the legislature’s actions will restore the health of the market over the long term. Given our differentiated business model, solid balance sheet and strong reinsurer relationships, we’re uniquely positioned to succeed in the dynamic Florida landscape.”

Net Income and Adjusted Net Income

Net income was $25.1 million, up from net loss of $48.1 million in the prior year quarter, and adjusted net income was $22.1 million, up from adjusted net loss of $47.8 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in adjusted net income mostly stems from lower net loss and expense ratios and higher net investment income and commission revenue.

Revenues

Overall revenue was $330.4 million, up 12.9% from the prior year quarter and core revenue was $326.4 million, up 11.3% from the prior year quarter. The increase in core revenue primarily stems from higher net premiums earned, net investment income and commission revenue.

Direct premiums written were $416.1 million, up 4.2% from the prior year quarter. The increase stems from 3.6% growth in Florida and 6.8% growth in other states. Overall growth reflects rate increases, partly offset by lower policies in force.

Direct premiums earned were $463.8 million, up 11.0% from the prior year quarter. The increase stems from rate-driven direct premiums written growth over the past twelve months.

The ceded premium ratio was 37.1%, up from 35.1%, in the prior year quarter. The increase primarily reflects reinstatement premiums associated with Hurricane Ian, higher reinsurance pricing and higher reinsurance costs associated with the increase in insured values, partly offset by direct premiums earned growth associated with primary rate increases and reinsurance savings associated with leveraging our self-insured captive to a greater degree than the prior year.

Net premiums earned were $291.9 million, up 7.6% from the prior year quarter. The increase is primarily attributable to higher direct premiums earned, partly offset by higher ceded premiums earned, as described above.

Net investment income was $10.4 million, up from $3.9 million in the prior year quarter. The increase primarily stems from higher fixed income reinvestment yields and higher yields on cash.

Commissions, policy fees and other revenue were $24.0 million, up 34.2% from the prior year quarter. The increase primarily reflects higher reinsurance brokerage commission revenue, which benefited from higher ceded premiums and the difference in our reinsurance program’s structure relative to the prior year quarter, partly offset by a decline in policy fees associated with lower policies in force.

Margins

The GAAP operating income margin was 10.4%, up from a GAAP operating loss margin of 21.8% in the prior year quarter. The adjusted operating income margin was 9.3%, up from an adjusted operating loss margin of 21.6% in the prior year quarter. The higher adjusted operating income margin primarily reflects a lower net combined ratio and higher net investment income and commission revenue, partly offset by lower policy fees.

The net loss ratio was 76.3%, down 27.0 points compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease primarily reflects a lower current accident year net loss ratio and lower adverse prior year reserve development ($17.9 million in the current year quarter, down from $36.5 million in the prior year quarter).

The net expense ratio was 25.1%, down 3.0 points from 28.1% in the prior year quarter. The reduction primarily reflects lower renewal commission rates paid to distribution partners.

The net combined ratio was 101.4%, down 30.0 points compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease reflects lower net loss and expense ratios, as described above.

Capital Deployment

During the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 186 thousand shares at an aggregate cost of $1.8 million. The Company’s current share repurchase authorization program has $6.2 million remaining as of December 31, 2022 and runs through December 15, 2024.

On February 9, 2023, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 16 cents per share of common stock, payable March 16, 2023 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 9, 2023.

Conference Call and Webcast

• Friday, February 24, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. ET
• Investors and other interested parties may listen to the call by accessing the online, real-time webcast at universalinsuranceholdings.com/investors or by registering in advance via teleconference at https://register.vevent.com/register/BI271bba0f21b746d8aafebbe6a6c51c55. Once registration is completed, participants will be provided with a dial-in number containing a personalized conference code to access the call. An online replay of the call will be available at universalinsuranceholdings.com/investors shortly after the investor call concludes.

About Universal

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UVE) is a holding company offering property and casualty insurance and value-added insurance services. We develop, market, and write insurance products for consumers predominantly in the personal residential homeowners lines of business and perform substantially all other insurance-related services for our primary insurance entities, including risk management, claims management and distribution. We sell insurance products through both our appointed independent agents and through our direct online distribution channels in the United States across 19 states (primarily Florida). Learn more at universalinsuranceholdings.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including core revenue, adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders and diluted adjusted earnings (loss) per common share, which exclude the impact of net realized gains (losses) on investments and net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities. Adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income margin exclude the impact of net realized gains (losses) on investments and net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities and interest and amortization of debt issuance costs. Adjusted common stockholders’ equity and adjusted book value per share exclude accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), net of taxes. Adjusted return on common equity excludes after-tax net realized gains (losses) on investments and net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities from the numerator and AOCI, net of taxes, and current period after-tax net realized gains (losses) on investments and net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities from the denominator. A “non-GAAP financial measure” is generally defined as a numerical measure of a company’s historical or future performance that excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments, so as to be different from the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). UVE management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are meaningful, as they allow investors to evaluate underlying revenue and profitability trends and enhance comparability across periods. When considered together with the GAAP financial measures, management believes these metrics provide information that is useful to investors in understanding period-over-period operating results separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on results in any particular period. UVE management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the ability of investors to analyze UVE’s business trends and to understand UVE’s operational performance. UVE’s management utilizes these non-GAAP financial measures as guides in long-term planning. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information regarding our key performance indicators, please refer to the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Key Performance Indicators” in our forthcoming Annual Report on Form 10-K for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will,” “plan,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Such statements may include commentary on plans, products and lines of business, marketing arrangements, reinsurance programs and other business developments and assumptions relating to the foregoing. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, including those risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and supplemented in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Future results could differ materially from those described, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For further information regarding risk factors that could affect the Company’s operations and future results, refer to the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230223005354/en/

Given our differentiated business model, solid balance sheet and strong reinsurer relationships, we’re uniquely positioned to succeed in the dynamic Florida landscape.