Primerica, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2014 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014
OR
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-34680
![](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001475922/000147592214000015/logoforfilings033114.jpg)
Primerica, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 27-1204330 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1 Primerica Parkway Duluth, Georgia | 30099 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (ZIP Code) |
(770) 381-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not applicable.
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ý Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). ý Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ý | Accelerated filer | ¨ |
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ¨ Yes ý No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class | As of April 30, 2014 | |
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value | 54,415,612 shares |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
i
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
PRIMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Assets | |||||||
Investments: | |||||||
Fixed-maturity securities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,667,585 in 2014 and $1,663,022 in 2013) | $ | 1,771,572 | $ | 1,755,712 | |||
Equity securities available for sale, at fair value (cost: $37,875 in 2014 and $32,592 in 2013) | 47,086 | 39,894 | |||||
Trading securities, at fair value (cost: $10,981 in 2014 and $13,025 in 2013) | 10,934 | 12,991 | |||||
Policy loans | 26,580 | 26,806 | |||||
Total investments | 1,856,172 | 1,835,403 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 158,438 | 149,189 | |||||
Accrued investment income | 19,689 | 18,127 | |||||
Due from reinsurers | 4,074,527 | 4,055,054 | |||||
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net | 1,242,983 | 1,208,466 | |||||
Premiums and other receivables | 170,577 | 175,789 | |||||
Intangible assets, net (accumulated amortization: $66,303 in 2014 and $65,131 in 2013) | 67,692 | 68,863 | |||||
Income taxes | 35,548 | 32,450 | |||||
Other assets | 303,759 | 282,780 | |||||
Separate account assets | 2,458,739 | 2,503,829 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 10,388,124 | $ | 10,329,950 | |||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||
Future policy benefits | $ | 5,103,278 | $ | 5,063,103 | |||
Unearned premiums | 1,465 | 1,802 | |||||
Policy claims and other benefits payable | 243,576 | 253,304 | |||||
Other policyholders’ funds | 340,175 | 337,977 | |||||
Notes payable | 374,494 | 374,481 | |||||
Income taxes | 127,906 | 105,885 | |||||
Other liabilities | 375,864 | 377,690 | |||||
Payable under securities lending | 109,094 | 89,852 | |||||
Separate account liabilities | 2,458,739 | 2,503,829 | |||||
Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Commitments and Contingent Liabilities note) | |||||||
Total liabilities | 9,134,591 | 9,107,923 | |||||
Stockholders’ equity: | |||||||
Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized 500,000 in 2014 and 2013; and issued 54,569 shares in 2014 and 54,834 shares in 2013) | 546 | 548 | |||||
Paid-in capital | 462,838 | 472,633 | |||||
Retained earnings | 679,182 | 640,840 | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax: | |||||||
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) | 33,403 | 41,974 | |||||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses): | |||||||
Net unrealized investment gains not other-than-temporarily impaired | 78,911 | 67,379 | |||||
Net unrealized investment losses other-than-temporarily impaired | (1,347 | ) | (1,347 | ) | |||
Total stockholders’ equity | 1,253,533 | 1,222,027 | |||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 10,388,124 | $ | 10,329,950 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
PRIMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income — Unaudited
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands, except per-share amounts) | |||||||
Revenues: | |||||||
Direct premiums | $ | 568,205 | $ | 560,904 | |||
Ceded premiums | (402,715 | ) | (410,604 | ) | |||
Net premiums | 165,490 | 150,300 | |||||
Commissions and fees | 126,933 | 112,273 | |||||
Net investment income | 21,599 | 23,216 | |||||
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than-temporary impairment losses | 263 | 2,286 | |||||
Other, net | 10,043 | 10,375 | |||||
Total revenues | 324,328 | 298,450 | |||||
Benefits and expenses: | |||||||
Benefits and claims | 75,191 | 68,816 | |||||
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | 35,193 | 31,252 | |||||
Sales commissions | 65,121 | 55,048 | |||||
Insurance expenses | 28,502 | 25,512 | |||||
Insurance commissions | 4,083 | 4,223 | |||||
Interest expense | 8,606 | 8,795 | |||||
Other operating expenses | 40,800 | 45,664 | |||||
Total benefits and expenses | 257,496 | 239,310 | |||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | 66,832 | 59,140 | |||||
Income taxes | 23,347 | 21,005 | |||||
Income from continuing operations | 43,485 | 38,135 | |||||
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | 1,595 | 710 | |||||
Net income | $ | 45,080 | $ | 38,845 | |||
Basic earnings per share: | |||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.66 | |||
Discontinued operations | 0.03 | 0.01 | |||||
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.81 | $ | 0.67 | |||
Diluted earnings per share: | |||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.64 | |||
Discontinued operations | 0.03 | 0.01 | |||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.81 | $ | 0.65 | |||
Weighted-average shares used in computing earnings per share: | |||||||
Basic | 55,211 | 56,598 | |||||
Diluted | 55,233 | 58,407 | |||||
Supplemental disclosures: | |||||||
Total impairment losses | $ | (149 | ) | $ | (86 | ) | |
Impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income before income taxes | — | 15 | |||||
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings | (149 | ) | (71 | ) | |||
Other net realized investment gains (losses) | 412 | 2,357 | |||||
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than-temporary impairment losses | $ | 263 | $ | 2,286 | |||
Dividends declared per share | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.11 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
PRIMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — Unaudited
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Net income | $ | 45,080 | $ | 38,845 | |||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes: | |||||||
Unrealized investment gains (losses): | |||||||
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities | 17,930 | (2,500 | ) | ||||
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income | (188 | ) | (1,659 | ) | |||
Foreign currency translation adjustments: | |||||||
Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) | (8,677 | ) | (4,188 | ) | |||
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes | 9,065 | (8,347 | ) | ||||
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) | 6,104 | (1,514 | ) | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes | 2,961 | (6,833 | ) | ||||
Total comprehensive income | $ | 48,041 | $ | 32,012 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
PRIMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity — Unaudited
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Common stock: | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 548 | $ | 564 | |||
Repurchases of common stock | (4 | ) | (1 | ) | |||
Net issuance of common stock | 2 | 4 | |||||
Balance, end of period | 546 | 567 | |||||
Paid-in capital: | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | 472,633 | 602,269 | |||||
Share-based compensation | 9,699 | 9,912 | |||||
Net issuance of common stock | (2 | ) | (4 | ) | |||
Repurchases of common stock | (19,183 | ) | (3,077 | ) | |||
Adjustments to paid-in capital, other | (309 | ) | — | ||||
Balance, end of period | 462,838 | 609,100 | |||||
Retained earnings: | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | 640,840 | 503,173 | |||||
Net income | 45,080 | 38,845 | |||||
Dividends | (6,738 | ) | (6,409 | ) | |||
Balance, end of period | 679,182 | 535,609 | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | 108,006 | 169,410 | |||||
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $(106) in 2014 and $(59) in 2013 | (8,571 | ) | (4,129 | ) | |||
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) during the period, net of income taxes: | |||||||
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) not-other-than temporarily impaired, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $6,210 in 2014 and $(1,450) in 2013 | 11,532 | (2,694 | ) | ||||
Change in net unrealized investment losses other-than-temporarily impaired, net of income tax benefit of $0 in 2014 and $(5) in 2013 | — | (10 | ) | ||||
Balance, end of period | 110,967 | 162,577 | |||||
Total stockholders’ equity | $ | 1,253,533 | $ | 1,307,853 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
PRIMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Unaudited
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||
Net income | $ | 45,080 | $ | 38,845 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | |||||||
Change in future policy benefits and other policy liabilities | 54,542 | 65,701 | |||||
Deferral of policy acquisition costs | (73,045 | ) | (62,874 | ) | |||
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | 35,193 | 31,252 | |||||
Change in income taxes | 14,906 | 2,309 | |||||
Realized investment (gains) losses, including other-than-temporary impairments | (263 | ) | (2,286 | ) | |||
Gain from sale of business, net | (1,595 | ) | — | ||||
Accretion and amortization of investments | (597 | ) | (526 | ) | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 2,884 | 2,424 | |||||
Change in due from reinsurers | (32,759 | ) | (7,685 | ) | |||
Change in premiums and other receivables | (4,173 | ) | (6,829 | ) | |||
Trading securities sold, matured, or called (acquired), net | 2,036 | (1,654 | ) | ||||
Share-based compensation | 2,848 | 5,196 | |||||
Change in other operating assets and liabilities, net | (7,317 | ) | 499 | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 37,740 | 64,372 | |||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||
Available-for-sale investments sold, matured or called: | |||||||
Fixed-maturity securities — sold | 21,094 | 15,878 | |||||
Fixed-maturity securities — matured or called | 91,596 | 62,567 | |||||
Equity securities | 188 | 148 | |||||
Available-for-sale investments acquired: | |||||||
Fixed-maturity securities | (113,508 | ) | (34,958 | ) | |||
Equity securities | (5,106 | ) | (46 | ) | |||
Purchases of property and equipment and other investing activities, net | (1,491 | ) | (8,688 | ) | |||
Proceeds from sale of business | 3,000 | — | |||||
Cash collateral received (returned) on loaned securities, net | 19,242 | (6,602 | ) | ||||
Sales (purchases) of short-term investments using securities lending collateral, net | (19,242 | ) | 6,602 | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (4,227 | ) | 34,901 | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||
Dividends paid | (6,738 | ) | (6,409 | ) | |||
Common stock repurchased | (19,187 | ) | (3,078 | ) | |||
Excess tax benefits on share-based compensation | 2,954 | 925 | |||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (22,971 | ) | (8,562 | ) | |||
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash | (1,293 | ) | (415 | ) | |||
Change in cash and cash equivalents | 9,249 | 90,296 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 149,189 | 112,216 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 158,438 | $ | 202,512 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
PRIMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Unaudited
(1) Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies
Description of Business. Primerica, Inc. (the "Parent Company") together with its subsidiaries (collectively, "we", "us" or the "Company") is a leading distributor of financial products to middle income households in the United States and Canada. We assist our clients in meeting their needs for term life insurance, which we underwrite, and mutual funds, annuities and other financial products, which we distribute primarily on behalf of third parties. Our primary subsidiaries include the following entities: Primerica Financial Services, Inc. ("PFS"), a general agency and marketing company; Primerica Life Insurance Company ("Primerica Life"), our principal life insurance company; Primerica Financial Services (Canada) Ltd., a holding company for our Canadian operations, which includes Primerica Life Insurance Company of Canada ("Primerica Life Canada") and PFSL Investments Canada Ltd. ("PFSL Investments Canada"); and PFS Investments Inc. ("PFS Investments"), an investment products company and broker-dealer. Primerica Life, domiciled in Massachusetts, owns National Benefit Life Insurance Company ("NBLIC"), a New York insurance company.
We capitalized Peach Re, Inc. ("Peach Re"), a special purpose financial captive insurance company and wholly owned subsidiary of Primerica Life, and Primerica Life ceded to Peach Re certain level premium term life insurance policies pursuant to a coinsurance agreement (the "Peach Re Coinsurance Agreement") effective March 31, 2012.
Basis of Presentation. We prepare our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). These principles are established primarily by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect financial statement balances, revenues and expenses and cash flows, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management considers available facts and knowledge of existing circumstances when establishing the estimates included in our financial statements.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, generally consisting of normal recurring accruals, which are necessary to fairly present the balance sheets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year or of the results to be expected in future periods.
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 ("2013 Annual Report").
Use of Estimates. The most significant items that involve a greater degree of accounting estimates and actuarial determinations subject to change in the future are the valuation of investments, deferred policy acquisition costs ("DAC"), and liabilities for future policy benefits and unpaid policy claims. Estimates for these and other items are subject to change and are reassessed by management in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Consolidation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and those entities required to be consolidated under applicable accounting standards. All material intercompany profits, transactions, and balances among the consolidated entities have been eliminated.
Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior-period amounts to conform to current-period reporting classifications. These reclassifications had no impact on net income or total stockholders' equity and were primarily related to discontinued operations. See Note 2 (Discontinued Operations) for more information.
Subsequent Events. The Company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure for occurrences and transactions after the date of the consolidated financial statements dated as of March 31, 2014.
6
Significant Accounting Policies. All significant accounting policies remain unchanged from the 2013 Annual Report.
Future Application of Accounting Standards. Recent accounting guidance not discussed is not applicable, is immaterial to our financial statements, or did not or will not have an impact on our business.
(2) Discontinued Operations
In January 2014, NBLIC sold the assets and liabilities of its short-term statutory disability benefit insurance business ("DBL") to AmTrust North America, Inc. and its affiliates (the "buyer"). As part of the sale agreement, the buyer assumed all liabilities for DBL insurance policies. In addition, NBLIC transferred the assets held in support of DBL's insurance liabilities and all other premium-related assets and liabilities to the buyer as of January 1, 2014. The results of DBL's operations from January 1, 2014 forward were also transferred to the buyer. NBLIC received cash proceeds from the sale of $3.0 million and recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of approximately $2.5 million, which comprised income from discontinued operations before income taxes in our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
As of March 31, 2014, we no longer have significant continuing involvement in the operations of DBL, and its direct cash flows have been eliminated from our ongoing operations. As a result, beginning in the first quarter of 2014, the results of operations for DBL have been reported in discontinued operations for all periods presented in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income. The results of operations and the carrying values of the assets and liabilities related to DBL were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Total revenues from discontinued operations | $ | — | $ | 9,995 | |||
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes | 2,454 | 1,092 | |||||
Provision for income taxes | 859 | 382 | |||||
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | $ | 1,595 | $ | 710 |
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Premiums and other receivables | $ | — | $ | 6,439 | |||
Future policy benefits | — | 5,047 | |||||
Other liabilities | — | 1,197 |
(3) Segment Information
We have two primary operating segments — Term Life Insurance and Investment and Savings Products. We also have a Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment. The results of operations for DBL were previously reported in our Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment and have been reclassified into discontinued operations as discussed in Note 2 (Discontinued Operations).
Total assets by segment were as follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Assets: | |||||||
Term life insurance segment | $ | 6,851,984 | $ | 6,783,194 | |||
Investment and savings products segment | 2,669,092 | 2,699,000 | |||||
Corporate and other distributed products segment | 867,048 | 847,756 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 10,388,124 | $ | 10,329,950 |
The Investment and Savings Products segment includes assets held in separate accounts. Excluding separate accounts, the Investment and Savings Products segment assets were approximately $211.0 million and $195.8 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
7
Results of continuing operations by segment were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Revenues: | |||||||
Term life insurance segment | $ | 182,980 | $ | 167,833 | |||
Investment and savings products segment | 123,270 | 108,722 | |||||
Corporate and other distributed products segment | 18,078 | 21,895 | |||||
Total revenues | $ | 324,328 | $ | 298,450 | |||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes: | |||||||
Term life insurance segment | $ | 47,204 | $ | 45,125 | |||
Investment and savings products segment | 34,028 | 26,353 | |||||
Corporate and other distributed products segment | (14,400 | ) | (12,338 | ) | |||
Total income from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 66,832 | $ | 59,140 |
See “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this report for more information regarding our operating segments.
Long-lived assets (primarily tangible assets) and results of continuing operations by country were as follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Long-lived assets by country: | |||||||
United States | $ | 25,224 | $ | 24,413 | |||
Canada | 569 | 637 | |||||
Total long-lived assets | $ | 25,793 | $ | 25,050 | |||
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Revenues by country: | |||||||
United States | $ | 262,204 | $ | 239,373 | |||
Canada | 62,124 | 59,077 | |||||
Total revenues | $ | 324,328 | $ | 298,450 | |||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes by country: | |||||||
United States | $ | 48,912 | $ | 43,039 | |||
Canada | 17,920 | 16,101 | |||||
Total income from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 66,832 | $ | 59,140 |
8
(4) Investments
The period-end cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of fixed-maturity and equity securities follow:
March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||
Cost or amortized cost | Gross unrealized gains | Gross unrealized losses | Fair value | ||||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: | |||||||||||||||
Fixed-maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agencies | $ | 8,665 | $ | 527 | $ | (84 | ) | $ | 9,108 | ||||||
Foreign government | 121,496 | 6,543 | (3,079 | ) | 124,960 | ||||||||||
States and political subdivisions | 35,097 | 2,198 | (307 | ) | 36,988 | ||||||||||
Corporates | 1,247,554 | 91,481 | (7,008 | ) | 1,332,027 | ||||||||||
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | 254,773 | 14,363 | (647 | ) | 268,489 | ||||||||||
Total fixed-maturity securities(1) | 1,667,585 | 115,112 | (11,125 | ) | 1,771,572 | ||||||||||
Equity securities | 37,875 | 9,728 | (517 | ) | 47,086 | ||||||||||
Total fixed-maturity and equity securities | $ | 1,705,460 | $ | 124,840 | $ | (11,642 | ) | $ | 1,818,658 |
____________________
(1) | Includes approximately $2.1 million of other-than-temporary impairment losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. |
December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Cost or amortized cost | Gross unrealized gains | Gross unrealized losses | Fair value | ||||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: | |||||||||||||||
Fixed-maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agencies | $ | 8,696 | $ | 485 | $ | (127 | ) | $ | 9,054 | ||||||
Foreign government | 111,610 | 7,512 | (2,766 | ) | 116,356 | ||||||||||
States and political subdivisions | 32,308 | 1,860 | (468 | ) | 33,700 | ||||||||||
Corporates | 1,240,100 | 84,545 | (11,931 | ) | 1,312,714 | ||||||||||
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | 270,308 | 14,610 | (1,030 | ) | 283,888 | ||||||||||
Total fixed-maturity securities(1) | 1,663,022 | 109,012 | (16,322 | ) | 1,755,712 | ||||||||||
Equity securities | 32,592 | 7,935 | (633 | ) | 39,894 | ||||||||||
Total fixed-maturity and equity securities | $ | 1,695,614 | $ | 116,947 | $ | (16,955 | ) | $ | 1,795,606 |
____________________
(1) | Includes approximately $2.1 million of other-than-temporary impairment losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. |
The net effect on stockholders’ equity of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities was as follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) including foreign currency translation adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments: | |||||||
Fixed-maturity and equity securities | $ | 113,198 | $ | 99,992 | |||
Currency swaps | 52 | 72 | |||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | 6,079 | 1,523 | |||||
Other-than-temporary impairments | 2,072 | 2,072 | |||||
Net unrealized investment gains excluding foreign currency translation adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments | 121,401 | 103,659 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | (42,490 | ) | (36,280 | ) | |||
Net unrealized investment gains excluding foreign currency translation adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments, net of tax | $ | 78,911 | $ | 67,379 |
9
We also maintain a portfolio of fixed-maturity securities that are classified as trading securities. The carrying values of the fixed-maturity securities classified as trading securities were approximately $10.9 million and $13.0 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
All of our available-for-sale mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent variable interests in variable interest entities ("VIEs"). We are not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs because we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance. The maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement in these VIEs equals the carrying value of the securities.
As required by law, we have investments on deposit with governmental authorities and banks for the protection of policyholders. The fair values of investments on deposit were approximately $18.5 million and $18.4 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
We participate in securities lending transactions with broker-dealers and other financial institutions to increase investment income with minimal risk. We require minimum collateral on securities loaned equal to 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities. We accept collateral in the form of securities, which we are not able to sell or encumber, and to the extent the collateral declines in value below 100%, we require additional collateral from the borrower. Any securities collateral received is not reflected on our balance sheet. We also accept collateral in the form of cash, all of which we reinvest. For loans involving unrestricted cash collateral, the collateral is reported as an asset with a corresponding liability representing our obligation to return the collateral. We continue to carry the lent securities as invested assets on our balance sheet during the terms of the loans, and we do not report them as sales. Cash collateral received and reinvested was approximately $109.1 million and $89.9 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
The scheduled contractual maturity distribution of the available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio at March 31, 2014 follows:
March 31, 2014 | |||||||
Amortized cost | Fair value | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Due in one year or less | $ | 121,673 | $ | 123,274 | |||
Due after one year through five years | 524,879 | 572,521 | |||||
Due after five years through 10 years | 713,631 | 750,515 | |||||
Due after 10 years | 52,629 | 56,773 | |||||
1,412,812 | 1,503,083 | ||||||
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | 254,773 | 268,489 | |||||
Total fixed-maturity securities | $ | 1,667,585 | $ | 1,771,572 |
Expected maturities may differ from scheduled contractual maturities because issuers of securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Investment Income. The components of net investment income were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Fixed-maturity securities | $ | 21,032 | $ | 23,210 | |||
Equity securities | 385 | 272 | |||||
Policy loans and other invested assets | 388 | 320 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 53 | 87 | |||||
Market return on deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement | 953 | 564 | |||||
Gross investment income | 22,811 | 24,453 | |||||
Investment expenses | (1,212 | ) | (1,237 | ) | |||
Net investment income | $ | 21,599 | $ | 23,216 |
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The components of net realized investment gains (losses) as well as details on gross realized investment gains and losses and proceeds from sales or other redemptions were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses): | |||||||
Gross gains from sales | $ | 343 | $ | 1,733 | |||
Gross losses from sales | (6 | ) | (3 | ) | |||
Other-than-temporary impairment losses | (149 | ) | (71 | ) | |||
Gains (losses) from bifurcated options | 75 | 627 | |||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | $ | 263 | $ | 2,286 | |||
Supplemental information: | |||||||
Gross realized investment gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings | $ | 188 | $ | 1,659 | |||
Tax expense (benefit) associated with realized investment gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings | $ | 66 | $ | 581 | |||
Proceeds from sales or other redemptions | $ | 112,878 | $ | 78,593 |
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment. We conduct a review each quarter to identify and evaluate impaired investments that have indications of possible other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI"). An investment in a debt or equity security is impaired if its fair value falls below its cost. Factors considered in determining whether an unrealized loss is temporary include the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects for the issue, and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery, which may be maturity for fixed-maturity securities or within a reasonable period of time for equity securities. For additional information, see Note 3 (Investments) to the consolidated financial statements in our 2013 Annual Report.
Investments in fixed-maturity and equity securities with a cost basis in excess of their fair values were approximately $312.7 million and $454.2 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
The following tables summarize, for all securities in an unrealized loss position, the aggregate fair value and the gross unrealized loss by length of time such securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position:
March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
Less than 12 months | 12 months or longer | ||||||||||||||||||
Fair value | Unrealized losses | Number of securities | Fair value | Unrealized losses | Number of securities | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
Fixed-maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agencies | $ | 1,736 | $ | (3 | ) | 1 | $ | 869 | $ | (81 | ) | 2 | |||||||
Foreign government | 45,871 | (2,462 | ) | 57 | 5,093 | (617 | ) | 15 | |||||||||||
States and political subdivisions | 8,395 | (307 | ) | 10 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Corporates | 182,175 | (4,674 | ) | 188 | 22,060 | (2,334 | ) | 34 | |||||||||||
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | 21,788 | (237 | ) | 30 | 8,857 | (410 | ) | 7 | |||||||||||
Total fixed-maturity securities | 259,965 | (7,683 | ) | 36,879 | (3,442 | ) | |||||||||||||
Equity securities | 3,757 | (303 | ) | 5 | 415 | (214 | ) | 1 | |||||||||||
Total fixed-maturity and equity securities | $ | 263,722 | $ | (7,986 | ) | $ | 37,294 | $ | (3,656 | ) |
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December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||
Less than 12 months | 12 months or longer | ||||||||||||||||||
Fair value | Unrealized losses | Number of securities | Fair value | Unrealized losses | Number of securities | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
Fixed-maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agencies | $ | 3,817 | $ | (36 | ) | 3 | $ | 859 | $ | (91 | ) | 2 | |||||||
Foreign government | 34,869 | (2,190 | ) | 47 | 5,999 | (576 | ) | 13 | |||||||||||
States and political subdivisions | 8,520 | (468 | ) | 11 | 152 | — | (1) | 1 | |||||||||||
Corporates | 296,192 | (9,510 | ) | 295 | 19,022 | (2,421 | ) | 31 | |||||||||||
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | 54,215 | (536 | ) | 46 | 10,523 | (494 | ) | 9 | |||||||||||
Total fixed-maturity securities | 397,613 | (12,740 | ) | 36,555 | (3,582 | ) | |||||||||||||
Equity securities | 3,081 | (633 | ) | 7 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Total fixed-maturity and equity securities | $ | 400,694 | $ | (13,373 | ) | $ | 36,555 | $ | (3,582 | ) |
____________________
(1) | Less than one thousand. |
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities in default were as follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Amortized cost | Fair value | Amortized cost | Fair value | ||||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Fixed-maturity securities in default | $ | 31 | $ | 303 | $ | 31 | $ | 267 |
Impairment charges recognized in earnings on available-for-sale securities were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Impairments on fixed-maturity securities not in default | $ | 149 | $ | 71 |
The securities noted above were considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired due to adverse credit events, such as news of an impending filing for bankruptcy; analyses of the issuer’s most recent financial statements or other information in which liquidity deficiencies, significant losses and large declines in capitalization were evident; or analyses of rating agency information for issuances with severe ratings downgrades that indicated a significant increase in the possibility of default.
As of March 31, 2014, the unrealized losses on our invested asset portfolio were largely caused by interest rate sensitivity and, to a lesser extent, changes in credit spreads. We believe that fluctuations caused by interest rate movement have little bearing on the recoverability of our investments. Because we have the ability to hold these investments until a market price recovery or maturity and we have no present intention to dispose of them, we do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
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Net impairment losses recognized in earnings were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Impairment losses related to securities which the Company does not intend to sell or more-likely-than-not will not be required to sell: | |||||||
Total OTTI losses recognized | $ | — | $ | 15 | |||
Less portion of OTTI loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | — | (15 | ) | ||||
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings for securities which the Company does not intend to sell or more-likely-than-not will not be required to sell before recovery | — | — | |||||
OTTI losses recognized in earnings for securities which the Company intends to sell or more-likely-than-not will be required to sell before recovery | 149 | 71 | |||||
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings | $ | 149 | $ | 71 |
The roll-forward of the credit-related losses recognized in income for all fixed-maturity securities still held follows:
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held, beginning of period | $ | 14,516 | $ | 14,171 | |||
Additions for OTTI securities where no credit losses were recognized prior to the beginning of the period | 149 | 71 | |||||
Additions for OTTI securities where credit losses have been recognized prior to the beginning of the period | — | — | |||||
Reductions due to sales, maturities or calls of credit impaired securities | — | — | |||||
Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held, end of period | $ | 14,665 | $ | 14,242 |
Derivatives. Embedded conversion options associated with fixed-maturity securities are bifurcated from the fixed-maturity security host contracts and separately recognized as equity securities. The change in fair value of these bifurcated conversion options is reflected in realized investment gains (losses), including OTTI losses. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of these bifurcated options was approximately $4.9 million and $4.6 million, respectively.
We have a deferred loss related to closed forward contracts, which were settled several years ago, that were used to mitigate our exposure to foreign currency exchange rates that resulted from the net investment in our Canadian operations. The amount of deferred loss included in accumulated other comprehensive income was approximately $26.4 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. While we have no current intention to do so, these deferred losses will not be recognized until such time as we sell or substantially liquidate our Canadian operations.
(5) | Fair Value of Financial Instruments |
Fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our view of market assumptions in the absence of observable market information. We classify and disclose all invested assets carried at fair value in one of the following three categories:
• | Level 1. Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 1 primarily consists of financial instruments whose value is based on quoted market prices in active markets, such as exchange-traded common stocks and actively traded mutual fund investments; |
• | Level 2. Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using industry-standard pricing methodologies, models or other valuation methodologies. |
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Various inputs are considered in deriving the fair value of the underlying financial instrument, including interest rate, credit spread, and foreign exchange rates. All significant inputs are observable, or derived from observable information in the marketplace or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Financial instruments in this category primarily include: certain public and private corporate fixed-maturity and equity securities; government or agency securities; certain mortgage- and asset-backed securities and certain non-exchange-traded derivatives, such as currency swaps and forwards; and
• | Level 3. Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Level 3 consists of financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on industry-standard pricing methodologies and models using significant inputs not based on, nor corroborated by, readily available market information. Valuations for this category primarily consist of non-binding broker quotes. Financial instruments in this category primarily include less liquid fixed-maturity corporate securities. |
As of each reporting period, all assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input (Level 3 being the lowest) that is significant to the fair value measurement. Significant levels of estimation and judgment are required to determine the fair value of certain of our investments. The factors influencing these estimations and judgments are subject to change in subsequent reporting periods.
The estimated fair value and hierarchy classifications for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Fair value assets: | |||||||||||||||
Fixed-maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agencies | $ | — | $ | 9,108 | $ | — | $ | 9,108 | |||||||
Foreign government | — | 124,960 | — | 124,960 | |||||||||||
States and political subdivisions | — | 36,988 | — | 36,988 | |||||||||||
Corporates | 1,392 | 1,329,830 | 805 | 1,332,027 | |||||||||||
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | — | 266,986 | 1,503 | 268,489 | |||||||||||
Total fixed-maturity securities | 1,392 | 1,767,872 | 2,308 | 1,771,572 | |||||||||||
Equity securities | 41,709 | 5,329 | 48 | 47,086 | |||||||||||
Trading securities | — | 10,934 | — | 10,934 | |||||||||||
Separate accounts | — | 2,458,739 | — | 2,458,739 | |||||||||||
Total fair value assets | $ | 43,101 | $ | 4,242,874 | $ | 2,356 | $ | 4,288,331 | |||||||
Fair value liabilities: | |||||||||||||||
Currency swaps | $ | — | $ | 151 | $ | — | $ | 151 | |||||||
Separate accounts | — | 2,458,739 | — | 2,458,739 | |||||||||||
Total fair value liabilities | $ | — | $ | 2,458,890 | $ | — | $ | 2,458,890 |
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December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Fair value assets: | |||||||||||||||
Fixed-maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agencies | $ | — | $ | 9,054 | $ | — | $ | 9,054 | |||||||
Foreign government | — | 116,356 | — | 116,356 | |||||||||||
States and political subdivisions | — | 33,700 | — | 33,700 | |||||||||||
Corporates | 1,282 | 1,310,739 | 693 | 1,312,714 | |||||||||||
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | — | 282,341 | 1,547 | 283,888 | |||||||||||
Total fixed-maturity securities | 1,282 | 1,752,190 | 2,240 | 1,755,712 | |||||||||||
Equity securities | 34,868 | 4,978 | 48 | 39,894 | |||||||||||
Trading securities | — | 12,991 | — | 12,991 | |||||||||||
Separate accounts | — | 2,503,829 | — | 2,503,829 | |||||||||||
Total fair value assets | $ | 36,150 | $ | 4,273,988 | $ | 2,288 | $ | 4,312,426 | |||||||
Fair value liabilities: | |||||||||||||||
Currency swaps | $ | — | $ | 88 | $ | — | $ | 88 | |||||||
Separate accounts | — | 2,503,829 | — | 2,503,829 | |||||||||||
Total fair value liabilities | $ | — | $ | 2,503,917 | $ | — | $ | 2,503,917 |
In assessing fair value of our investments, we use a third-party pricing service for approximately 95% of our securities. The remaining securities are primarily thinly traded securities valued using models based on observable inputs on public corporate spreads having similar tenors (e.g., sector, average life and quality rating) and liquidity and yield based on quality rating, average life and treasury yields. All observable data inputs are corroborated by independent third-party data. In the absence of sufficient observable inputs, we utilize non-binding broker quotes, which are reflected in our Level 3 classification as we are unable to evaluate the valuation technique(s) or significant inputs used to develop the quotes. Therefore, we do not internally develop the quantitative unobservable inputs used in measuring the fair value of Level 3 investments. However, we do corroborate pricing information provided by our third-party pricing servicing by performing a review of selected securities. Our review activities include obtaining detailed information about the assumptions, inputs and methodologies used in pricing the security; documenting this information; and corroborating it by comparison to independently obtained prices and or independently developed pricing methodologies.
Furthermore, we perform internal reasonableness assessments on fair value determinations within our portfolio throughout the quarter and at quarter-end, including pricing variance analyses and comparisons to alternative pricing sources and benchmark returns. If a fair value appears unusual relative to these assessments, we will re-examine the inputs and may challenge a fair value assessment made by the pricing service. If there is a known pricing error, we will request a reassessment by the pricing service. If the pricing service is unable to perform the reassessment on a timely basis, we will determine the appropriate price by requesting a reassessment from an alternative pricing service or other qualified source as necessary. We do not adjust quotes or prices except in a rare circumstance to resolve a known error.
Because many fixed-maturity securities do not trade on a daily basis, fair value is determined using industry-standard methodologies by applying available market information through processes such as U.S. Treasury curves, benchmarking of similar securities, sector groupings, quotes from market participants and matrix pricing. Observable information is compiled and integrates relevant credit information, perceived market movements and sector news. Additionally, security prices are periodically back-tested to validate and/or refine models as conditions warrant. Market indicators and industry and economic events are also monitored as triggers to obtain additional data. For certain structured securities with limited trading activity, industry-standard pricing methodologies use adjusted market information, such as index prices or discounting expected future cash flows, to estimate fair value. If these measures are not deemed observable for a particular security, the security will be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Where specific market information is unavailable for certain securities, pricing models produce estimates of fair value primarily using Level 2 inputs along with certain Level 3 inputs. These models include matrix pricing. The pricing matrix uses current treasury rates and credit spreads received from third-party sources to estimate fair value. The credit spreads incorporate the issuer’s industry- or issuer-specific credit characteristics and the security’s
15
time to maturity, if warranted. Remaining unpriced securities are valued using an estimate of fair value based on indicative market prices that include significant unobservable inputs not based on, nor corroborated by, market information, including the utilization of non-binding broker quotes.
The roll-forward of the Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis was as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Level 3 assets, beginning of period | $ | 2,288 | $ | 5,221 | |||
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income | 120 | 23 | |||||
Net realized gains (losses) included in realized investment gains (losses), including other-than-temporary impairment losses | — | 61 | |||||
Purchases | — | 477 | |||||
Sales | — | (10 | ) | ||||
Settlements | (52 | ) | (525 | ) | |||
Transfers into Level 3 | — | — | |||||
Transfers out of Level 3 | — | (991 | ) | ||||
Level 3 assets, end of period | $ | 2,356 | $ | 4,256 |
We obtain independent pricing quotes based on observable inputs as of the end of the reporting period for all securities in Level 2. Those inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, market bids/offers, quoted prices for similar instruments in markets that are not active, and other relevant data. We monitor these inputs for market indicators, industry and economic events. We recognize transfers into new levels and out of previous levels as of the end of the reporting period, including interim reporting periods, as applicable. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. In addition, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
Invested assets included in the transfer from Level 3 to Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2013 primarily were fixed-maturity investments for which we were able to obtain independent pricing quotes based on observable inputs.
The table below is a summary of the estimated fair value for financial instruments.
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Carrying value | Estimated fair value | Carrying value | Estimated fair value | ||||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||
Fixed-maturity securities | $ | 1,771,572 | $ | 1,771,572 | $ | 1,755,712 | $ | 1,755,712 | |||||||
Equity securities | 47,086 | 47,086 | 39,894 | 39,894 | |||||||||||
Trading securities | 10,934 | 10,934 | 12,991 | 12,991 | |||||||||||
Policy loans | 26,580 | 26,580 | 26,806 | 26,806 | |||||||||||
Deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement | 130,178 | 130,178 | 124,413 | 124,413 | |||||||||||
Separate accounts | 2,458,739 | 2,458,739 | 2,503,829 | 2,503,829 | |||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||
Notes payable | $ | 374,494 | $ | 393,986 | $ | 374,481 | $ | 385,161 | |||||||
Currency swaps | 151 | 151 | 88 | 88 | |||||||||||
Separate accounts | 2,458,739 | 2,458,739 | 2,503,829 | 2,503,829 |
The fair values of financial instruments presented above are estimates of the fair values at a specific point in time using various sources and methods, including market quotations and a complex matrix system that takes into account issuer sector, quality, and spreads in the current marketplace.
Recurring fair value measurements. Estimated fair values of investments in available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities are principally a function of current spreads and interest rates that are corroborated by independent third-party data. Therefore, the fair values presented are indicative of amounts we could realize or settle at the respective
16
balance sheet date. We do not necessarily intend to dispose of or liquidate such instruments prior to maturity. Trading securities, which primarily consist of fixed-maturity securities, are carried at fair value. Equity securities, including common and nonredeemable preferred stocks, are carried at fair value. Currency swaps are stated at fair value. Segregated funds in separate accounts are carried at the underlying value of the variable insurance contracts, which is fair value.
Nonrecurring fair value measurements. Policy loans, which are categorized as Level 3 fair value measurements, are carried at the unpaid principal balances. The fair value of policy loans approximate the unpaid principal balances as the timing of repayment is uncertain and the loans are collateralized by the amount of the policy. The deposit asset underlying the 10% coinsurance agreement with Prime Reinsurance Company, Inc. ("Prime Re"), an affiliate of Citigroup Inc. ("Citigroup"), represents the value of the assets necessary to back the economic reserves held in support of the reinsurance agreement. The carrying value of this deposit asset approximates fair value, which is categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Notes payable represent our publicly-traded senior notes and are valued as a Level 2 fair value measurement using the quoted market price for our notes.
The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accrued investment income, accounts payable, cash collateral and payables for security transactions approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Consequently, such financial instruments are not included in the above table.
(6) | Reinsurance |
We use reinsurance extensively, which has a significant effect on our results of operations. Reinsurance arrangements do not relieve us of our primary obligation to the policyholder. We monitor the concentration of credit risk we have with any reinsurer, as well as the financial condition of the reinsurers.
Details on in-force life insurance follow:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | |||||||
Direct life insurance in force | $ | 677,486,177 | $ | 679,337,825 | |||
Amounts ceded to other companies | (599,355,477 | ) | (601,309,340 | ) | |||
Net life insurance in force | $ | 78,130,700 | $ | 78,028,485 | |||
Percentage of reinsured life insurance in force | 88 | % | 89 | % |
Due from reinsurers includes ceded reserve balances and ceded claim liabilities. Reinsurance receivable and financial strength ratings by reinsurer were as follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||
Reinsurance receivable | A.M. Best rating | Reinsurance receivable | A.M. Best rating | ||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||
Prime Re(1) | $ | 2,603,726 | NR | $ | 2,572,800 | NR | |||||
SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies(3) | 369,746 | A | 372,479 | A | |||||||
Financial Reassurance Company 2010, Ltd.(1) | 330,560 | NR | 343,144 | NR | |||||||
Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc.(2) | 257,397 | A+ | 260,775 | A+ | |||||||
American Health and Life Insurance Company(1) | 176,203 | A- | 174,722 | A- | |||||||
Munich American Reassurance Company | 100,840 | A+ | 100,856 | A+ | |||||||
Korean Reinsurance Company | 89,705 | A | 89,405 | A | |||||||
RGA Reinsurance Company | 76,762 | A+ | 75,629 | A+ | |||||||
Toa Reinsurance Company | 20,616 | A+ | 18,824 | A+ | |||||||
Hannover Life Reassurance Company | 17,460 | A+ | 16,862 | A+ | |||||||
All other reinsurers | 31,512 | - | 29,558 | - | |||||||
Due from reinsurers | $ | 4,074,527 | $ | 4,055,054 |
NR – not rated
(1) | Reinsurers are affiliates of Citigroup. Amounts shown are net of their share of the reinsurance receivable from other reinsurers. |
(2) | Includes amounts ceded to Lincoln National Life Insurance and 100% retroceded to Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. |
(3) | Includes amounts ceded to Generali USA Life Reassurance Company due to its purchase by the parent company of SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies in October 2013 and amounts retroceded from Transamerica Reinsurance Companies. |
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(7) | Notes Payable |
At March 31, 2014, the Company had $375.0 million of publicly-traded, senior unsecured notes with an annual interest rate of 4.75% that are scheduled to mature on July 15, 2022 (the "Senior Notes"). As of March 31, 2014, we were in compliance with the covenants of the Senior Notes. No events of default occurred on the Senior Notes during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Further discussion on the Company’s notes payable is included in Note 9 (Notes Payable) to our consolidated financial statements within our 2013 Annual Report.
(8) | Stockholders’ Equity |
A reconciliation of the number of shares of our common stock follows.
Three months ended March 31, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||
(In thousands) | |||||
Common stock, beginning of period | 54,834 | 56,374 | |||
Shares of restricted common stock issued | — | 289 | |||
Shares issued for stock options exercised | 4 | — | |||
Shares of common stock issued upon lapse of restricted stock units ("RSUs") | 159 | 115 | |||
Common stock retired | (428 | ) | (96 | ) | |
Common stock, end of period | 54,569 | 56,682 |
The above reconciliation excludes RSUs, which do not have voting rights. As the restrictions on the RSUs lapse, we issue common shares with voting rights. As of March 31, 2014, we had a total of approximately 1.3 million RSUs outstanding.
Our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program for up to $150 million of our outstanding common stock (the "share repurchase program"). Under the share repurchase program, we repurchased 283,000 shares of our common stock in open market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $13.1 million during the first quarter of 2014.
(9) | Earnings Per Share |
The Company has outstanding common stock and equity awards that consist of restricted stock, RSUs and stock options. In addition, warrants to purchase additional shares of our common stock were outstanding until we repurchased and retired these warrants in 2013. The restricted stock and outstanding RSUs maintain non-forfeitable dividend rights that result in dividend payment obligations on a one-to-one ratio with common shares for any future dividend declarations. Unvested restricted stock and unvested RSUs are deemed participating securities for purposes of calculating EPS as they maintain dividend rights.
As a result of issuing restricted stock and outstanding RSUs that are deemed participating securities, we calculate EPS using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, we allocate earnings to common shares (excluding unvested restricted stock) and vested RSUs outstanding for the period. Earnings attributable to unvested participating securities, along with the corresponding share counts, are excluded from EPS as reflected in our consolidated statements of income.
In calculating basic EPS, we deduct any dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock and unvested RSUs from net income and then divide the result by the weighted-average number of common shares, fully vested restricted stock, and fully vested RSUs outstanding for the period.
We determine the potential dilutive effect of warrants and stock options outstanding on EPS using the treasury-stock method. Under this method, we determine the proceeds that would be received from the exercise of the warrants and stock options outstanding, which includes cash received for the exercise price, the remaining unrecognized stock option compensation expense and the resulting effect on the income tax deduction from the exercise of stock options. We then use the average market price of our common shares during the period the
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warrants and stock options were outstanding to determine how many shares we could repurchase with the proceeds raised from the exercise of the warrants and stock options outstanding. The net incremental share count issued represents the potential dilutive securities. We then reallocate earnings to common shares, fully vested restricted stock, and fully vested RSUs outstanding by incorporating the increased fully diluted share count to determine diluted EPS.
The calculation of basic and diluted EPS follows.
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands, except per-share amounts) | |||||||
Basic EPS | |||||||
Numerator (continuing operations): | |||||||
Income from continuing operations | $ | 43,485 | $ | 38,135 | |||
Income attributable to unvested participating securities | (557 | ) | (998 | ) | |||
Income from continuing operations used in calculating basic EPS | $ | 42,928 | $ | 37,137 | |||
Numerator (discontinued operations): | |||||||
Income from discontinued operations | $ | 1,595 | $ | 710 | |||
Income attributable to unvested participating securities | (20 | ) | (19 | ) | |||
Income from discontinued operations used in calculating basic EPS | $ | 1,575 | $ | 691 | |||
Denominator: | |||||||
Weighted-average vested shares | 55,211 | 56,598 | |||||
Basic EPS from continuing operations | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.66 | |||
Basic EPS from discontinued operations | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.01 | |||
Diluted EPS | |||||||
Numerator (continuing operations): | |||||||
Income from continuing operations | $ | 43,485 | $ | 38,135 | |||
Income attributable to unvested participating securities | (557 | ) | (973 | ) | |||
Income from continuing operations used in calculating diluted EPS | $ | 42,928 | $ | 37,162 | |||
Numerator (discontinued operations): | |||||||
Income from discontinued operations | $ | 1,595 | $ | 710 | |||
Income attributable to unvested participating securities | (20 | ) | (18 | ) | |||
Income from discontinued operations used in calculating diluted EPS | $ | 1,575 | $ | 692 | |||
Denominator: | |||||||
Weighted-average vested shares | 55,211 | 56,598 | |||||
Dilutive effect of incremental shares if issued for warrants outstanding | — | 1,809 | |||||
Dilutive effect of incremental shares to be issued for equity awards | 22 | — | |||||
Weighted-average shares used in calculating diluted EPS | 55,233 | 58,407 | |||||
Diluted EPS from continuing operations | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.64 | |||
Diluted EPS from discontinued operations | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.01 |
(10) | Share-Based Transactions |
The Company has outstanding equity awards under its Omnibus Incentive Plan ("OIP"). The OIP provides for the issuance of equity awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, deferred stock, RSUs, unrestricted stock, as well as cash-based awards. In addition to time-based vesting requirements, awards granted under the OIP also may be subject to specified performance criteria. Since 2010, the Company has issued equity awards to our management (officers and other key employees), non-employee directors, and sales force leaders under the OIP. For more information on equity awards granted under the OIP, see Note 13 (Share-Based Compensation) to our consolidated financial statements within our 2013 Annual Report.
In connection with our granting of equity awards to our management and members of the Board of Directors, we recognize expense over the service period of the equity award. Additionally, to the extent that equity awards to
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members of our sales force are an incremental direct cost of successful acquisitions or renewals of life insurance policies that result directly from and are essential to the policy acquisition(s) and would not have been incurred had the policy acquisition(s) not occurred, we defer and amortize the fair value of these awards in the same manner as other deferred policy acquisition costs.
The impacts of equity awards granted are as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Total equity awards expense recognized | $ | 2,848 | $ | 5,196 | |||
Quarterly incentive awards expense deferred | 3,787 | 3,805 |
(11) Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
Letter of Credit
Peach Re maintains a credit facility agreement with Deutsche Bank (the "Credit Facility Agreement") to support certain obligations for a portion of the statutory accounting-based reserves (commonly referred to as Regulation XXX reserves) related to the Peach Re Coinsurance Agreement. Under the Credit Facility Agreement, Deutsche Bank issued a letter of credit for the benefit of Primerica Life. As of March 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Facility Agreement.
Further discussion on the Company’s letter of credit is included in Note 15 (Commitments and Contingent Liabilities) to our consolidated financial statements within our 2013 Annual Report.
Contingent Liabilities
The Company is involved from time to time in legal disputes, regulatory inquiries and arbitration proceedings in the normal course of business. These disputes are subject to uncertainties, including the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation. As such, the Company is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result from these matters.
Beginning in late 2011, numerous FINRA ("Financial Industry Regulatory Association") arbitration claims were filed, along with lawsuits in Florida state courts, against our subsidiary, PFS Investments, and certain of its registered representatives seeking damages arising from the allegation that the representatives improperly recommended that the claimants transfer their retirement benefits from the Florida Retirement System's defined benefit plan to its defined contribution plan.
In January 2014, PFS Investments entered into a memorandum of understanding to resolve this pending litigation. As of December 31, 2013, we had established a contingent liability for $9.3 million for the fair value of estimated benefits to be paid to the settling claimants through deferred payments that would begin in 2024 and approximately $6.4 million for estimated related costs, including awards relating to prior arbitrations, other potential settlements, and the payment of claimants’ attorneys' fees and expenses. The related contingent liabilities have been recorded in Other liabilities within the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. The memorandum of understanding required that a certain percentage of claimants agree to the settlement. During April 2014, a required percentage of claimants have signed settlement agreements and releases, and, therefore, we continue to hold the $9.3 million contingent liability representing the deferred payments to be provided to the settling claimants. Through April 2014, the Company has paid approximately $5.6 million of the estimated $6.4 million for related costs.
The Company is currently undergoing targeted multi-state treasurer audits by 31 jurisdictions with respect to unclaimed property laws, and Primerica Life and NBLIC are engaged in targeted multi-state market conduct examinations by six jurisdictions with respect to their claims-paying practices. The Treasurer of the State of West Virginia brought a suit against Primerica Life and other insurance companies alleging violations of the West Virginia unclaimed property act. The suit was dismissed, and the Treasurer has appealed. Other jurisdictions may pursue similar audits, examinations and litigation. The audits, examinations and litigation are expected to take significant time to complete, and it is unclear whether the Company will be required to compare the Death Master File to its records for periods prior to 2011, including with respect to policies which have lapsed, to determine whether benefits are owed in instances where an insured appears to have died but no claim for death benefits has been
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made. The potential outcome of such actions is difficult to predict but could subject the Company to adverse consequences, including, but not limited to, settlement payments, additional payments to beneficiaries and additional escheatment of funds deemed abandoned under state laws. At this time, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the likelihood or the impact of additional costs or liabilities that could result from the resolution of these matters. These actions may also result in changes to the Company's procedures for the identification and escheatment of abandoned property and other financial liability.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to inform the reader about matters affecting the financial condition and results of operations of Primerica, Inc. (the “Parent Company”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, "we", "us" or the “Company”) for the three months ended March 31, 2014. As a result, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with MD&A and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, ("2013 Annual Report"). This discussion contains forward-looking statements that constitute our plans, estimates and beliefs. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the 2013 Annual Report. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
This MD&A is divided into the following sections:
• | Business Overview |
• | Critical Accounting Estimates |
• | Factors Affecting Our Results |
• | Results of Operations |
• | Financial Condition |
• | Liquidity and Capital Resources |
Business Overview
We are a leading distributor of financial products to middle income households in the United States and Canada. We assist our clients in meeting their needs for term life insurance, which we underwrite, and mutual funds, annuities and other financial products, which we distribute primarily on behalf of third parties. We have two primary operating segments, Term Life Insurance and Investment and Savings Products, and a third segment, Corporate and Other Distributed Products.
Term Life Insurance. We distribute the term life insurance products that we originate through our three issuing life insurance company subsidiaries: Primerica Life Insurance Company (“Primerica Life”); National Benefit Life Insurance Company (“NBLIC”); and Primerica Life Insurance Company of Canada (“Primerica Life Canada”). Our in force term insurance policies have level premiums for the stated term period. As such, the policyholder pays the same amount each year. Initial policy term periods are between 10 and 35 years. While premiums are guaranteed to remain level during the initial term period (up to a maximum of 20 years in the United States), our claim obligations generally increase as our policyholders age. In addition, we incur significant upfront costs in acquiring new insurance business. Our deferral and amortization of policy acquisition costs and reserving methodology are designed to match the recognition of premium revenues with the timing of policy lapses and the payment of expected claims obligations.
Our Term Life Insurance segment results are primarily driven by sales and policies in force, accuracy of our pricing assumptions, terms and use of reinsurance, investment income, and expenses.
Investment and Savings Products. In the United States, we distribute mutual fund and managed accounts products and variable and fixed annuity products of several third-party companies. In Canada, we offer our own Primerica-branded mutual funds, as well as mutual funds of other companies, and segregated funds, which are underwritten by Primerica Life Canada.
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Results in our Investment and Savings Products segment are driven by sales of mutual funds and annuities, the value of assets in client accounts for which we earn ongoing service, distribution and advisory fees and the number of fee generating accounts for which we provide administration functions or retirement plan custodial services. While our investment and savings products all have similar long-term earnings characteristics, our results in a given fiscal period are affected by changes in the overall mix of products within these broad categories.
Corporate and Other Distributed Products. Our Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment consists primarily of revenues and expenses related to other distributed products, including various insurance products underwritten by NBLIC, prepaid legal services, as well as credit information and debt referral services. These products are distributed pursuant to distribution arrangements with third parties through our independent agent sales force. In addition, our Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment includes corporate income (including net investment income) and expenses not allocated to other segments, interest expense on our notes payable and realized gains and losses on our invested asset portfolio.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We prepare our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). These principles are established primarily by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions based on currently available information when recording transactions resulting from business operations. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 (Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to our consolidated financial statements included in our 2013 Annual Report. The most significant items on the balance sheet are based on fair value determinations, accounting estimates and actuarial determinations, which are susceptible to changes in future periods and could affect our results of operations and financial position.
The estimates that we deem to be most critical to an understanding of our results of operations and financial position are those related to deferred policy acquisition costs ("DAC"), future policy benefit reserves and corresponding amounts due from reinsurers, income taxes, the valuation of investments, and litigation. The preparation and evaluation of these critical accounting estimates involve the use of various assumptions developed from management’s analyses and judgments. Subsequent experience or use of other assumptions could produce significantly different results.
Accounting Policy Change. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, there have been no changes in the accounting methodology for items that we have identified as critical accounting estimates. For additional information regarding critical accounting estimates, see the Critical Accounting Estimates section of MD&A included in our 2013 Annual Report.
Factors Affecting Our Results
Economic Environment. The relative strength and stability of financial markets and economies in the United States and Canada affect our growth and profitability. Our business is, and we expect will continue to be, influenced by a number of industry-wide and product-specific trends and conditions.
Economic conditions, including unemployment levels and consumer confidence, influence investment and spending decisions by middle income consumers, who are generally our primary clients. These conditions and factors also impact prospective recruits’ perceptions of the business opportunity that becoming a Primerica sales representative offers, which can drive or dampen recruiting. Consumer spending and borrowing levels affect how consumers evaluate their savings and debt management plans. In addition, interest rates and equity market returns impact consumer demand for the savings and investment products we distribute. The effects of these trends and conditions are discussed in the Results of Operations section below.
Independent Sales Force. Our ability to increase the size of our sales force is largely based on the success of our recruiting efforts and our ability to train and motivate recruits to get licensed to sell life insurance. We believe that recruitment and licensing levels are important to sales force trends and growth in recruiting and licensing is usually indicative of future growth in the overall size of the sales force. Recruiting results do not always result in commensurate changes in the size of our licensed sales force because new recruits may obtain the requisite licenses at rates above or below historical levels.
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Details on new recruits and life-licensed sales representative activity were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||
New recruits | 48,306 | 46,348 | |||
New life-licensed sales representatives | 7,447 | 7,165 |
Recruiting of new representatives and new life-licensed sales representatives both grew by approximately 4% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with the same period a year ago.
The size of our life-licensed insurance sales force was as follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||
Life-licensed insurance sales representatives | 95,382 | 95,566 |
The size of our life-licensed insurance sales force at March 31, 2014 remained consistent with the size of our life-licensed insurance sales force at December 31, 2013.
Term Life Insurance Segment. Our Term Life Insurance segment results are primarily driven by sales volumes, the accuracy of our pricing assumptions, terms and use of reinsurance, investment income and expenses.
Sales and policies in force. Sales of new term policies and the size and characteristics of our in-force book of policies are vital to our results over the long term. Premium revenue is recognized as it is earned over the term of the policy and eligible acquisition expenses are deferred and amortized ratably with the level premiums of the underlying policies. However, because we incur significant cash outflows at or about the time policies are issued, including the payment of sales commissions and underwriting costs, changes in life insurance sales volume will have a more immediate effect on our cash flows.
Historically, we have found that, while sales volume of term life insurance products between fiscal periods may vary based on a variety of factors, the productivity of our sales representatives generally remains within a relatively narrow range (between 0.18x and 0.22x), and, consequently, our sales volume over the longer term generally correlates to the size of our sales force.
The average number of life-licensed sales representatives and the number of term life insurance policies issued, as well as the average monthly rate of new policies issued per life-licensed sales representative, were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||
Average number of life-licensed sales representatives | 95,300 | 91,277 | |||
Number of new policies issued | 49,320 | 50,356 | |||
Average monthly rate of new policies issued per life-licensed sales representative | 0.17x | 0.18x |
The average monthly rate of new policies issued per life-licensed sales representative, which is normally lower in first quarter of each year, was slightly below the historical range during the three months ended March 31, 2014 in part due to the impact of adverse weather conditions across North America.
Pricing assumptions. Our pricing methodology is intended to provide us with appropriate profit margins for the risks we assume. We determine pricing classifications based on the coverage sought, such as the size and term of the policy, and certain policyholder attributes, such as age and health. In addition, we generally utilize unisex rates for our term life insurance policies. The pricing assumptions that underlie our rates are based upon our best estimates of mortality, persistency and investment yields at the time of issuance, sales force commission rates, issue and underwriting expenses, operating expenses and the characteristics of the insureds, including sex, age, underwriting class, product and amount of coverage. Our results will be affected to the extent there is a variance between our pricing assumptions and actual experience.
• | Persistency. Persistency is a measure of how long our insurance policies stay in force. As a general matter, persistency that is lower than our pricing assumptions adversely affects our results over the long term because we lose the recurring revenue stream associated with the policies that lapse. Determining the near-term effects of changes in persistency is more complicated. When persistency is lower than our pricing assumptions, we must accelerate the amortization of DAC. The resultant increase in amortization expense is offset by a corresponding release of reserves associated with lapsed policies, which causes a |
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reduction in benefits and claims expense. The future policy benefit reserves associated with any given policy will change over the term of such policy. As a general matter, future policy benefit reserves are lowest at the inception of a policy term and rise steadily to a peak before declining to zero at the expiration of the policy term. Accordingly, depending on when the lapse occurs in relation to the overall policy term, the reduction in benefits and claims expense may be greater or less than the increase in amortization expense and, consequently, the effects on earnings for a given period could be positive or negative. Persistency levels will impact results to the extent actual experience deviates from the persistency assumptions used to price our products.
• | Mortality. Our profitability will fluctuate to the extent actual mortality rates differ from those used in our pricing assumptions. We mitigate a significant portion of our mortality exposure through reinsurance. |
• | Investment Yields. We use investment yield rates based on yields available at the time a policy is issued. For policies issued in 2010 and after, we have been using an increasing interest rate assumption to reflect the historically low interest rate environment. Both DAC and the future policy benefit reserve liability increase with the assumed investment yield rate. Since DAC is higher than the future policy benefit reserve liability in the early years of a policy, a lower assumed investment yield generally will result in lower profits. In the later years, when the future policy benefit reserve liability is higher than DAC, a lower assumed investment yield generally will result in higher profits. These assumed investment yields, which like other pricing assumptions are locked in at issue, impact the timing but not the aggregate amount of DAC and future policy benefit reserve changes. Actual investment yields will impact net investment income allocated to the Term Life Insurance segment, but will not impact DAC or the reserve liability. |
Reinsurance. We use reinsurance extensively, which has a significant effect on our results of operations. Since the mid-1990s, we have reinsured between 60% and 90% of the mortality risk on our U.S. term life insurance policies on a quota share yearly renewable term ("YRT") basis. In Canada, we previously utilized reinsurance arrangements similar to the U.S. in certain years and reinsured only face amounts above $500,000 in other years. However, in the first quarter of 2012, we entered into a YRT reinsurance arrangement in Canada similar to our U.S. program that reinsures 80% of the face amount for every policy sold. YRT reinsurance permits us to set future mortality at contractual rates by policy class. To the extent actual mortality experience is more or less favorable than the contractual rate, the reinsurer will earn incremental profits or bear the incremental cost, as applicable. In contrast to coinsurance, which is intended to eliminate all risks (other than counterparty risk of the reinsurer) and rewards associated with a specified percentage of the block of policies subject to the reinsurance arrangement, the YRT reinsurance arrangements we enter into are intended only to reduce volatility associated with variances between estimated and actual mortality rates.
In 2010, as part of our corporate reorganization, we entered into significant coinsurance transactions (the "coinsurance transactions") with three affiliates (collectively, the "Citigroup reinsurers") of Citigroup Inc. ("Citigroup") and ceded between 80% and 90% of the risks and rewards of our term life insurance policies that were in force at year-end 2009. We continue to administer all policies subject to these coinsurance agreements. With each successive period, we expect revenue and earnings growth to continue to decelerate as the size of our in-force book grows and incremental sales have a reduced marginal effect on the size of the then-existing in force book.
The effect of our reinsurance arrangements on ceded premiums and benefits and expenses on our statement of income follows:
• | Ceded premiums. Ceded premiums are the premiums we pay to reinsurers. These amounts are deducted from the direct premiums we earn to calculate our net premium revenues. Similar to direct premium revenues, ceded coinsurance premiums remain level over the initial term of the insurance policy. Ceded YRT premiums increase over the period that the policy has been in force. Accordingly, ceded YRT premiums generally constitute an increasing percentage of direct premiums over the policy term. |
• | Benefits and claims. Benefits and claims include incurred claim amounts and changes in future policy benefit reserves. Reinsurance reduces incurred claims in direct proportion to the percentage ceded. Coinsurance also reduces the change in future policy benefit reserves in direct proportion to the percentage ceded, while YRT reinsurance does not significantly impact the change in these reserves. |
• | Amortization of DAC. DAC, and therefore amortization of DAC, is reduced on a pro-rata basis for the coinsured business, including the business reinsured with Citigroup. There is no impact on amortization of DAC associated with our YRT contracts. |
• | Insurance expenses. Insurance expenses are reduced by the allowances received from coinsurance, including the business reinsured with Citigroup. There is no impact on insurance expenses associated with our YRT contracts. |
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We may alter our reinsurance practices at any time due to the unavailability of YRT reinsurance at attractive rates or the availability of alternatives to reduce our risk exposure. We presently intend to continue ceding approximately 90% of our U.S. mortality risk on new business and approximately 80% of our Canadian mortality risk on new business.
Net investment income. Net investment income is allocated to the Term Life Insurance segment based on the book value of the invested assets necessary to meet statutory reserve requirements and our targeted capital objectives. Net investment income is impacted by the performance of our invested asset portfolio, which can be affected by interest rates, credit spreads and the mix of invested assets.
Expenses. Results are also affected by variances in client acquisition, maintenance and administration expense levels.
Investment and Savings Products Segment. Our Investment and Savings Products segment results are primarily driven by sales, the value of assets in client accounts for which we earn ongoing management, service and distribution fees and the number of fee generating accounts we administer.
Sales. We earn commissions and fees, such as dealer re-allowances, and marketing and support fees, based on sales of mutual fund and managed account products and annuities. Sales of investment and savings products are influenced by the overall demand for investment products in the United States and Canada, as well as by the size and productivity of our sales force. We generally experience seasonality in our Investment and Savings Products segment results due to our high concentration of sales of retirement account products. These accounts are typically funded in February through April, coincident with our clients' tax return preparation season. While we believe the size of our sales force is a factor in driving sales volume in this segment, there are a number of other variables, such as economic and market conditions, which may have a significantly greater effect on sales volume in any given fiscal period.
Asset values in client accounts. We earn marketing and distribution fees (trail commissions or, with respect to U.S. mutual funds, 12b-1 fees) on mutual fund and annuity assets in the United States and Canada. In the United States, we also earn investment advisory fees on assets in the managed accounts program. In Canada, we earn management fees on certain mutual fund assets and on the segregated funds for which we serve as investment manager. Asset values are influenced by new product sales, ongoing contributions to existing accounts, redemptions and the change in market values in existing accounts. While we offer a wide variety of asset classes and investment styles, our clients' accounts are primarily invested in equity funds.
Accounts. We earn recordkeeping fees for administrative functions we perform on behalf of several of our retail and managed mutual fund providers and custodial fees for services as a non-bank custodian for certain of our clients’ retirement plan accounts.
Sales mix. While our investment and savings products all have similar long-term earnings characteristics, our results in a given fiscal period will be affected by changes in the overall mix of products within these categories. Examples of changes in the sales mix that influence our results include the following:
• | sales of annuity products in the United States will generate higher revenues in the period such sales occur than sales of other investment products that either generate lower upfront revenues or, in the case of managed accounts and segregated funds, no upfront revenues; |
• | sales of a higher proportion of managed accounts and segregated funds products will generally extend the time over which revenues can be earned because we are entitled to higher revenues based on assets under management for these accounts in lieu of upfront revenues; and |
• | sales of a higher proportion of mutual fund products and the composition of the fund families sold will impact the timing and amount of revenue we earn given the marketing, support, recordkeeping and custodial services we perform for the various mutual fund products we distribute. |
Corporate and Other Distributed Products Segment. We earn revenues and pay commissions and referral fees for various other insurance products, prepaid legal services and other financial products, all of which are originated by third parties. NBLIC also has in-force policies from several discontinued lines of insurance. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, NBLIC sold its short-term statutory disability benefit insurance business ("DBL") to AmTrust North America, Inc., and the operating results have been reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. In 2014, NBLIC will also cease the marketing and underwriting of new student life insurance policies but will continue to administer the existing block of student life business. Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment net investment income is composed of two elements: the remainder of net investment income
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not allocated to our Term Life Insurance segment and the market return associated with the deposit asset underlying a 10% coinsurance agreement with the Citigroup reinsurers ("10% Coinsurance Agreement").
The Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment is affected by corporate income and expenses not allocated to our other segments, net investment income (other than net investment income allocated to our Term Life Insurance segment), general and administrative expenses (other than expenses that are allocated to our Term Life Insurance or Investment and Savings Products segments), equity awards granted to management and our sales force leaders at the time of our April 2010 initial public offering ("IPO"), interest expense on notes payable and realized gains and losses on our invested asset portfolio.
Capital Structure. Our financial results have also been affected by changes in our capital structure, including the issuance of our senior unsecured notes and redundant reserve financings, as well as repurchases of shares and warrants of our common stock. For additional information regarding factors affecting our results, see Factors Affecting Our Results in our 2013 Annual Report.
Results of Operations
Primerica, Inc. and Subsidiaries Results. Our results of operations were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | $ | % | |||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
Direct premiums | $ | 568,205 | $ | 560,904 | $ | 7,301 | 1 | % | ||||||
Ceded premiums | (402,715 | ) | (410,604 | ) | (7,889 | ) | (2 | )% | ||||||
Net premiums | 165,490 | 150,300 | 15,190 | 10 | % | |||||||||
Commissions and fees | 126,933 | 112,273 | 14,660 | 13 | % | |||||||||
Net investment income | 21,599 | 23,216 | (1,617 | ) | (7 | )% | ||||||||
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than-temporary impairment losses | 263 | 2,286 | (2,023 | ) | (88 | )% | ||||||||
Other, net | 10,043 | 10,375 | (332 | ) | (3 | )% | ||||||||
Total revenues | 324,328 | 298,450 | 25,878 | 9 | % | |||||||||
Benefits and expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Benefits and claims | 75,191 | 68,816 | 6,375 | 9 | % | |||||||||
Amortization of DAC | 35,193 | 31,252 | 3,941 | 13 | % | |||||||||
Sales commissions | 65,121 | 55,048 | 10,073 | 18 | % | |||||||||
Insurance expenses | 28,502 | 25,512 | 2,990 | 12 | % | |||||||||
Insurance commissions | 4,083 | 4,223 | (140 | ) | (3 | )% | ||||||||
Interest expense | 8,606 | 8,795 | (189 | ) | (2 | )% | ||||||||
Other operating expenses | 40,800 | 45,664 | (4,864 | ) | (11 | )% | ||||||||
Total benefits and expenses | 257,496 | 239,310 | 18,186 | 8 | % | |||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | 66,832 | 59,140 | 7,692 | 13 | % | |||||||||
Income taxes | 23,347 | 21,005 | 2,342 | 11 | % | |||||||||
Income from continuing operations | 43,485 | 38,135 | 5,350 | 14 | % | |||||||||
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | 1,595 | 710 | 885 | * | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 45,080 | $ | 38,845 | $ | 6,235 | 16 | % |
_____________________
* | Less than 1% or not meaningful. |
Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
Total revenues. The increase in revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013 was primarily attributable to incremental premiums on new term life insurance policies issued subsequent to the Citigroup reinsurance transactions ("New Term") and the favorable impact on commissions and fees of higher investment product sales and growth in client asset values, partially offset by declines in realized investment gains and net investment income. Realized investment gains decreased in the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to a large gain on a tendered security in the prior year period. The decline in allocated
26
net investment income was attributable to lower average yield on invested assets, lower volume of called securities, and a lower average base of invested assets for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Total benefits and expenses. Total benefits and expenses increased year-over-year primarily as a result of the growth in revenue-related costs, which include sales commissions, benefits and claims, and amortization of DAC, as well as higher insurance expenses. These higher expenses were partially offset by lower legal fees in the first quarter of 2014 and lower stock compensation costs due to the full vesting of IPO equity awards in the prior year period.
Income taxes. Our effective income tax rate on continuing operations of 34.9% during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was lower than our effective income tax rate of 35.5% during the three months ended March 31, 2013 primarily driven by the limited deductibility of certain IPO equity awards, which fully vested in the prior year period.
For additional information, see the Segment Results discussions below.
Segment Results
Term Life Insurance Segment Results. Our results for the Term Life Insurance segment were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | $ | % | |||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
Direct premiums | $ | 559,663 | $ | 552,034 | $ | 7,629 | 1 | % | ||||||
Ceded premiums | (400,333 | ) | (407,854 | ) | (7,521 | ) | (2 | )% | ||||||
Net premiums | 159,330 | 144,180 | 15,150 | 11 | % | |||||||||
Allocated net investment income | 16,713 | 16,669 | 44 | * | ||||||||||
Other, net | 6,937 | 6,984 | (47 | ) | (1 | )% | ||||||||
Total revenues | 182,980 | 167,833 | 15,147 | 9 | % | |||||||||
Benefits and expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Benefits and claims | 71,263 | 65,547 | 5,716 | 9 | % | |||||||||
Amortization of DAC | 32,721 | 27,865 | 4,856 | 17 | % | |||||||||
Insurance commissions | 1,315 | 1,199 | 116 | 10 | % | |||||||||
Insurance expenses | 26,414 | 23,845 | 2,569 | 11 | % | |||||||||
Interest expense | 4,063 | 4,252 | (189 | ) | (4 | )% | ||||||||
Total benefits and expenses | 135,776 | 122,708 | 13,068 | 11 | % | |||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 47,204 | $ | 45,125 | $ | 2,079 | 5 | % |
_____________________
* | Less than 1%. |
Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
Net premiums. The increase in net premiums is primarily due to the continued addition of New Term business combined with the run-off of business subject to the Citigroup reinsurance transactions. While ceded premiums supporting YRT reinsurance programs for New Term are a relatively low portion of direct premiums, ceded premiums for the block of business coinsured by Citigroup are more than 80% of direct premiums. As a result, as we continue to build New Term and the block coinsured by Citigroup continues to run off, net premiums will continue to grow faster than direct premiums.
Allocated net investment income. Allocated net investment income remained relatively flat year-over-year. The amount of net investment income allocated grew with required assets but was offset by lower average yield on invested assets.
Benefits and claims. Benefits and claims were in line with the growth in net premiums. Claims for the first quarter of 2014 were consistent with historical experience.
Amortization of DAC. The increase in amortization of DAC was primarily attributable to an increased portion of commissions deferred in recent periods, resulting in a rate of DAC amortization in excess of the growth in net premiums. Policy persistency was consistent and stable compared to the prior year period.
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Insurance expenses. The increase in insurance expenses was mainly due to growth in the business and infrastructure, as well as higher other miscellaneous costs.
Product Sales and Face Amount In Force. We issued 49,320 new policies during the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to 50,356 new policies for the same period in 2013. Sales of our term life insurance policies decreased compared to the prior year period in part due to the impact of adverse weather conditions across North America.
The changes in the face amount of our in-force book of term life insurance policies were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2014 | % of beginning balance | 2013 | % of beginning balance | ||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||
Face amount in force, beginning of period | $ | 674,868 | $ | 670,412 | |||||||
Net change in face amount: | |||||||||||
Issued face amount | 15,748 | 2% | 15,709 | 2% | |||||||
Terminations | (14,160 | ) | (2)% | (14,917 | ) | (2)% | |||||
Foreign currency | (3,378 | ) | * | (790 | ) | * | |||||
Net change in face amount | (1,790 | ) | * | 2 | * | ||||||
Face amount in force, end of period | $ | 673,078 | $ | 670,414 |
_____________________
* | Less than 1%. |
For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the face amount of in-force term life insurance policies decreased mostly due to the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates. As a percentage of beginning face amount in force, issued face amount and terminations remained relatively flat during the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the prior year period.
Investment and Savings Products Segment Results. Investment and Savings Products segment results were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | $ | % | |||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
Commissions and fees: | ||||||||||||||
Sales-based revenues | $ | 57,963 | $ | 49,718 | $ | 8,245 | 17 | % | ||||||
Asset-based revenues | 53,749 | 47,428 | 6,321 | 13 | % | |||||||||
Account-based revenues | 9,723 | 9,454 | 269 | 3 | % | |||||||||
Other, net | 1,835 | 2,122 | (287 | ) | (14 | )% | ||||||||
Total revenues | 123,270 | 108,722 | 14,548 | 13 | % | |||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of DAC | 2,335 | 2,892 | (557 | ) | (19 | )% | ||||||||
Insurance commissions | 2,086 | 2,275 | (189 | ) | (8 | )% | ||||||||
Sales commissions: | ||||||||||||||
Sales-based | 41,594 | 35,403 | 6,191 | 17 | % | |||||||||
Asset-based | 20,695 | 16,637 | 4,058 | 24 | % | |||||||||
Other operating expenses | 22,532 | 25,162 | (2,630 | ) | (10 | )% | ||||||||
Total expenses | 89,242 | 82,369 | 6,873 | 8 | % | |||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 34,028 | $ | 26,353 | $ | 7,675 | 29 | % |
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Supplemental information on the underlying metrics that drove results follows.
Three months ended March 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | $ | % | |||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||
Product sales: | ||||||||||||||
Retail mutual funds | $ | 821 | $ | 712 | $ | 109 | 15 | % | ||||||
Annuities and other | 450 | 480 | (30 | ) | (6 | )% | ||||||||
Total sales-based revenue generating product sales | 1,271 | 1,192 | 79 | 7 | % | |||||||||
Managed accounts | 63 | 57 | 6 | 11 | % | |||||||||
Segregated funds and other | 77 | 116 | (39 | ) | (34 | )% | ||||||||
Total product sales | $ | 1,411 | $ | 1,365 | $ | 46 | 3 | % | ||||||
Average client asset values: | ||||||||||||||
Retail mutual funds | $ | 28,842 | $ | 25,170 | $ | 3,672 | 15 | % | ||||||
Annuities and other | 12,677 | 10,310 | 2,367 | 23 | % | |||||||||
Managed accounts | 1,095 | 652 | 443 | 68 | % | |||||||||
Segregated funds | 2,449 | 2,624 | (175 | ) | (7 | )% | ||||||||
Total average client asset values | $ | 45,063 | $ | 38,756 | $ | 6,307 | 16 | % | ||||||
(Accounts in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
Average number of fee-generating accounts: | ||||||||||||||
Recordkeeping accounts | 2,587 | 2,536 | 51 | 2 | % | |||||||||
Custodial accounts | 1,991 | 1,940 | 51 | 3 | % |
Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
Total revenues. The increase in commissions and fees was driven mostly by higher sales of mutual funds. The growth in sales-based revenues exceeded the increase in sales-based revenues generating product sales mainly due to the change in mix of annuity and other products sold from variable annuity internal exchanges and sales of group retirement accounts to product offerings with higher commission rates. The rise in average client asset values, which was indicative of favorable market performance and strong sales during the first quarter of 2014, also contributed to the increase in commissions and fees in the form of higher asset-based revenues.
Sales commissions. Higher sales-based commissions in the three months ended March 31, 2014 were consistent with the growth in sales-based revenues above. The increase in asset-based commissions during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was consistent with the increase in asset-based revenues when excluding segregated funds. The relevant costs associated with asset-based revenue from segregated funds are recorded within insurance commissions and amortization of DAC.
Other operating expenses. Other operating expenses decreased primarily due to lower legal fees and expenses, partially offset by higher costs in support of our independent sales force and employee compensation costs. Legal fees and expenses for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 were approximately $0.6 million and $3.9 million, respectively, primarily attributable to defending claims alleged by certain participants in the Florida Retirement System's benefit plan ("FRS"). A potential settlement was reached in January 2014, which reduced the amount of legal fees and expenses incurred in association with this matter compared to the prior year period. See Note 11 (Commitments and Contingent Liabilities) to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for more information.
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Asset Values in Client Accounts
Changes in asset values in client accounts were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2014 | % of beginning balance | 2013 | % of beginning balance | ||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||
Asset values, beginning of period | $ | 44,990 | $ | 37,386 | |||||||
Net change in asset values: | |||||||||||
Inflows | 1,411 | 3% | 1,365 | 4% | |||||||
Redemptions | (1,246 | ) | (3)% | (1,283 | ) | (3)% | |||||
Change in market value, net and other | 684 | 2% | 2,385 | 6% | |||||||
Net change in asset values | 849 | 2% | 2,467 | 7% | |||||||
Asset values, end of period | $ | 45,839 | $ | 39,853 |
The increase in asset values for three months ended March 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to favorable market performance. As a percentage of beginning asset values, the growth in inflows and the rate of redemptions relative to average client asset values for the three months ended March 31, 2014 remained consistent with the prior year period.
Corporate and Other Distributed Products Segment Results. Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment results were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | $ | % | |||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
Direct premiums | $ | 8,542 | $ | 8,870 | $ | (328 | ) | (4 | )% | |||||
Ceded premiums | (2,382 | ) | (2,750 | ) | (368 | ) | (13 | )% | ||||||
Net premiums | 6,160 | 6,120 | 40 | 1 | % | |||||||||
Commissions and fees | 5,498 | 5,673 | (175 | ) | (3 | )% | ||||||||
Allocated net investment income | 4,886 | 6,547 | (1,661 | ) | (25 | )% | ||||||||
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than-temporary impairment losses | 263 | 2,286 | (2,023 | ) | (88 | )% | ||||||||
Other, net | 1,271 | 1,269 | 2 | * | ||||||||||
Total revenues | 18,078 | 21,895 | (3,817 | ) | (17 | )% | ||||||||
Benefits and expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Benefits and claims | 3,928 | 3,269 | 659 | 20 | % | |||||||||
Amortization of DAC | 137 | 495 | (358 | ) | (72 | )% | ||||||||
Insurance commissions | 682 | 749 | (67 | ) | (9 | )% | ||||||||
Insurance expenses | 2,088 | 1,667 | 421 | 25 | % | |||||||||
Sales commissions | 2,832 | 3,008 | (176 | ) | (6 | )% | ||||||||
Interest expense | 4,543 | 4,543 | — | — | % | |||||||||
Other operating expenses | 18,268 | 20,502 | (2,234 | ) | (11 | )% | ||||||||
Total benefits and expenses | 32,478 | 34,233 | (1,755 | ) | (5 | )% | ||||||||
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | (14,400 | ) | $ | (12,338 | ) | $ | 2,062 | 17 | % |
____________________
* | Less than 1%. |
Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
Total revenues. Total revenues decreased for three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily due to lower realized investment gains and net investment income. The decrease in realized investment gains was primarily due to a large gain on a tendered security in the prior year period. The decline in net investment income was primarily attributable to a higher allocation to the Term Life segment, as well as a lower average base of invested assets and lower average yield on invested assets.
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Total benefits and expenses. The decrease in benefits and expenses was mostly due to lower other operating expenses related to the full vesting of restricted stock granted in connection with our IPO, partially offset by higher other compensation costs in the first quarter of 2014.
Financial Condition
Investments. We have an investment committee composed of members of our senior management team that is responsible for establishing and maintaining our investment guidelines and supervising our investment activity. We follow a conservative investment strategy designed to emphasize the preservation of our invested assets and provide adequate liquidity for the prompt payment of claims. To meet business needs and mitigate risks, our investment guidelines provide restrictions on our portfolio’s composition, including limits on asset type, sector limits, credit quality limits, portfolio duration, limits on the amount of investments in approved countries and permissible security types. Additionally, to ensure adequate liquidity for payment of claims, we take into account the maturity and duration of our invested asset portfolio and our general liability profile.
Our invested asset portfolio is subject to a variety of risks, including risks related to general economic conditions, market volatility, interest rate fluctuations, liquidity risk and credit and default risk. Investment guideline restrictions have been established to minimize the effect of these risks but may not always be effective due to factors beyond our control. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond our control. A significant increase in interest rates could result in significant losses, realized or unrealized, in the value of our invested asset portfolio.
The composition and duration of our portfolio will vary depending on several factors, including the yield curve and our opinion of the relative value among various asset classes. The average rating and average approximate duration of our fixed-maturity portfolio were as follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||
Average rating of our fixed-maturity portfolio | A | A | |
Average duration of our fixed-maturity portfolio | 4.2 years | 4.0 years | |
Average book yield of our fixed-maturity portfolio | 4.87% | 4.93% |
The distribution of our investments in fixed-maturity securities by rating follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||
Amortized cost | % | Amortized cost | % | ||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||
AAA | $ | 286,733 | 17% | $ | 296,717 | 18% | |||||
AA | 131,560 | 8% | 133,406 | 8% | |||||||
A | 383,514 | 23% | 386,460 | 23% | |||||||
BBB | 796,768 | 47% | 777,111 | 46% | |||||||
Below investment grade | 77,621 | 5% | 80,835 | 5% | |||||||
Not rated | 2,323 | * | 1,484 | * | |||||||
Total | $ | 1,678,519 | 100% | $ | 1,676,013 | 100% |
____________________
* | Less than 1%. |
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The ten largest holdings within our invested asset portfolio were as follows:
March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||
Issuer | Fair value | Cost or amortized cost | Unrealized gain (loss) | Credit rating | |||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||
Government of Canada | 28,354 | 28,822 | (468 | ) | AAA | ||||||||
General Electric Co. | 26,723 | 23,760 | 2,963 | AA- | |||||||||
International Business Machines Corp. | 12,205 | 11,862 | 343 | AA- | |||||||||
Province of Ontario Canada | 11,133 | 10,411 | 722 | AA- | |||||||||
Iberdrola SA | 10,528 | 9,465 | 1,063 | BBB | |||||||||
National Rural Utilities Cooperative | 9,919 | 7,469 | 2,450 | A+ | |||||||||
ArcelorMittal SA | 7,807 | 6,608 | 1,199 | BB+ | |||||||||
Vale SA | 7,737 | 7,097 | 640 | A- | |||||||||
Province of Quebec Canada | 7,735 | 7,200 | 535 | A+ | |||||||||
Altria Group, Inc. | 7,730 | 6,218 | 1,512 | BBB | |||||||||
Total – ten largest holdings | $ | 129,871 | $ | 118,912 | $ | 10,959 | |||||||
Total – fixed-maturity and equity securities | $ | 1,829,592 | $ | 1,716,394 | |||||||||
Percent of total fixed-maturity and equity securities | 7 | % | 7 | % |
For additional information on our invested asset portfolio, see Note 4 (Investments) to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Dividends and other payments to the Parent Company from our subsidiaries are our principal sources of cash. The amount of dividends paid by our subsidiaries is dependent on their capital needs to fund future growth and applicable regulatory restrictions. The primary uses of funds by the Parent Company include the payments of general operating expenses, income taxes, stockholder dividends, and interest on outstanding debt, as well as repurchases of shares outstanding. At March 31, 2014, the Parent Company had cash and invested assets of approximately $56.9 million.
Our subsidiaries generate operating cash flows primarily from term life insurance premiums (net of premiums ceded to reinsurers), income from invested assets, commissions and fees collected from the distribution of investment and savings products as well as other financial products. Our subsidiaries' principal operating cash outflows include the payment of insurance claims and benefits (net of ceded claims recovered from reinsurers), commissions to our sales force, insurance and other operating expenses, interest expense for future policy benefit reserves financing transactions, and income taxes.
The distribution and underwriting of term life insurance requires upfront cash outlays at the time the policy is issued as we pay a substantial majority of the sales commission during the first year following the sale of a policy and incur costs for underwriting activities at the inception of a policy’s term. During the early years of a policy's term, we generally receive level term premiums in excess of claims paid. We invest the excess cash generated during earlier policy years in fixed-maturity and equity securities held in support of future policy benefit reserves. In later policy years, cash received from the maturity or sale of invested assets is used to pay claims in excess of level term premiums received.
Historically, cash flows generated by our businesses, primarily from our existing block of term life policies and our investment and savings products, have provided our consolidated entities with sufficient liquidity to meet their operating requirements. We anticipate that cash flows from our businesses will continue to provide sufficient operating liquidity over the next 12 months.
We may seek to enhance our liquidity position or capital structure through borrowings from third-party sources, sales of debt or equity securities, reserve financings or some combination of these sources. Additionally, we believe that cash flows from our businesses and potential sources of funding, as described above, will sufficiently support the long-term liquidity needs of the Parent Company and our subsidiaries.
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Cash Flows. The components of the change in cash and cash equivalents were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, | Change | ||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | $ | |||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 37,740 | $ | 64,372 | $ | (26,632 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (4,227 | ) | 34,901 | (39,128 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (22,971 | ) | (8,562 | ) | (14,409 | ) | |||||
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash | (1,293 | ) | (415 | ) | (878 | ) | |||||
Change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 9,249 | $ | 90,296 | $ | (81,047 | ) |
Operating Activities. The change in operating cash flows compared with the prior year period was primarily driven by the timing of ceded claims payments from reinsurers in our Term Life business.
Investing Activities. The decrease in investing cash inflows was primarily driven by lower purchases of fixed-maturity securities in the prior year period in anticipation of the ordinary dividend paid from Primerica Life to the Parent Company in 2013. This was partially offset by the increase in the scheduled maturities of bonds during the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period a year ago.
Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities in 2014 was primarily attributable to open market repurchases of our common stock under our current share repurchase plan.
Risk-Based Capital. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has established risk-based capital (“RBC”) standards for U.S. life insurers, as well as a risk-based capital model act (the “RBC Model Act”) that has been adopted by the insurance regulatory authorities. The RBC Model Act requires that life insurers annually submit a report to state regulators regarding their RBC based upon four categories of risk: asset risk; insurance risk; interest rate risk; and business risk. The capital requirement for each is determined by applying factors that vary based upon the degree of risk to various asset, premiums and policy benefit reserve items. The formula is an early warning tool to identify possible weakly capitalized companies for purposes of initiating further regulatory action.
As of March 31, 2014, our U.S. life insurance subsidiaries had statutory capital substantially in excess of the applicable statutory requirements to support existing operations and to fund future growth.
In Canada, an insurer’s minimum capital requirement is overseen by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada (“OSFI”) and determined as the sum of the capital requirements for five categories of risk: asset default risk; mortality/morbidity/lapse risks; changes in interest rate environment risk; segregated funds risk; and foreign exchange risk. Primerica Life Canada is in compliance with Canada’s minimum capital requirements as of March 31, 2014, as determined by OSFI.
Redundant Reserve Financing. The Model Regulation entitled Valuation of Life Insurance Policies, commonly known as Regulation XXX, requires insurers to carry statutory policy benefit reserves for term life insurance policies with long-term premium guarantees which are often significantly in excess of the future policy benefit reserves that insurers deem necessary to satisfy claim obligations ("redundant policy benefit reserves"). Accordingly, many insurance companies have sought ways to reduce their capital needs by financing redundant policy benefit reserves through bank financing, reinsurance arrangements and other financing transactions. In March 2012, we entered into a Regulation XXX redundant reserve financing transaction to more efficiently manage and deploy our excess capital. For information on this transaction, see Note 11 (Commitments and Contingent Liabilities) to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
We are pursuing another Regulation XXX financing transaction for redundant reserves of Primerica Life that will be subject to state regulatory approval.
Notes Payable. On July 16, 2012, we publicly issued $375.0 million in principal amount of senior unsecured notes at a price of 99.843% and an annual rate of 4.75%, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15. The Senior Notes mature July 15, 2022.
We were in compliance with the covenants of the Senior Notes at March 31, 2014. No events of default occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
We calculate our debt-to-capital ratio by dividing total long-term debt by the sum of stockholders’ equity and total long-term debt. As of March 31, 2014, our debt-to-capital ratio was 23.0%.
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Rating Agencies. There have been no changes to Primerica, Inc.'s senior debt ratings or Primerica Life's financial strength ratings since December 31, 2013.
Short-term Borrowings. We had no short-term borrowings as of or during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. Our off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2014 consisted of the letter of credit issued under the credit facility agreement with Deutsche Bank as described in Note 11 (Commitments and Contingent Liabilities) to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
Contractual Obligations Update. There have been no material changes in contractual obligations from those disclosed in the 2013 Annual Report.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Investors are cautioned that certain statements contained in this report as well as some statements in periodic press releases and some oral statements made by our officials during our presentations are “forward-looking” statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions, or future conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” and “could.” In addition, any statement concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible actions taken by us or our subsidiaries are also forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve external risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” included herein.
Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of our management team. All forward-looking statements in this report and subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, among others:
• | our failure to continue to attract and license new recruits, retain sales representatives, or license or maintain the licensing of our sales representatives; |
• | changes to the independent contractor status of our sales representatives; |
• | our or our sales representatives' violation of, or non-compliance with, laws and regulations; |
• | our or our sales representatives' failure to protect the confidentiality of client information; |
• | differences between our actual experience and our expectations regarding mortality, persistency, expenses and investment yields as reflected in the pricing for our insurance policies; |
• | the occurrence of a catastrophic event that causes a large number of premature deaths of our insureds; |
• | changes in federal and state legislation and regulation, including other legislation or regulation that affects our insurance, investment product businesses; |
• | our failure to meet risk-based capital standards or other minimum capital or surplus requirements; |
• | a downgrade or potential downgrade in our insurance subsidiaries' financial strength ratings or in the investment grade credit ratings for our senior unsecured debt; |
• | the effects of credit deterioration and interest rate fluctuations on our invested asset portfolio; |
• | incorrectly valuing our investments; |
• | inadequate or unaffordable reinsurance or the failure of our reinsurers to perform their obligations; |
• | the failure of, or legal challenges to, the support tools we provide to our sales force; |
• | heightened standards of conduct or more stringent licensing requirements for our sales representatives; |
• | inadequate policies and procedures regarding suitability review of client transactions; |
• | the inability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions; |
• | our ability to generate and maintain a sufficient amount of working capital; |
• | our non-compliance with the covenants of our senior unsecured debt; |
34
• | legal and regulatory investigations and actions concerning us or our sales representatives; |
• | the loss of key personnel; |
• | the failure of our information technology systems, breach of our information security or failure of our business continuity plan; and |
• | fluctuations in Canadian currency exchange rates. |
Developments in any of these areas could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected or cause a significant reduction in the market price of our common stock and debt securities.
The foregoing list of risks and uncertainties may not contain all of the risks and uncertainties that could affect us. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this document may not in fact occur. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
There have been no material changes in our exposures to market risk since December 31, 2013. For details on the Company's interest rate, foreign currency exchange, and credit risks, see "Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Information About Market Risks" in our 2013 Annual Report.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the first quarter of 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
35
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
We are involved from time to time in legal disputes, regulatory inquires and arbitration proceedings in the normal course of business. Additional information regarding certain legal proceedings to which we are a party is described in Note 11 (Commitments and Contingent Liabilities) to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and such information is incorporated herein by reference. As of the date of this report, we do not believe any pending legal proceeding to which Primerica or any of its subsidiaries is a party is required to be disclosed pursuant to this item.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
The Risk Factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, we repurchased shares of our common stock as follows:
Period | Total number of shares purchased(1) | Average price paid per share(1) | Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs | Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs | ||||||||||
January 1 - 31, 2014 | 2,527 | $ | 42.83 | — | $ | 150,000,000 | ||||||||
February 1 - 28, 2014 | 142,038 | 44.06 | 45,000 | 148,008,342 | ||||||||||
March 1 - 31, 2014 | 280,167 | 46.27 | 238,000 | 136,934,733 | ||||||||||
Total | 424,732 | $ | 45.51 | 283,000 | $ | 136,934,733 |
____________________
(1) | Consists of (a) repurchases of 141,732 shares at an average price of $44.20 arising from share-based compensation tax withholdings and stock option exercises and (b) open market repurchases of shares under the share repurchase program approved by our Board of Directors. |
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.
The agreements included as exhibits to this report are included to provide you with information regarding the terms of these agreements and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the Company or its subsidiaries, our business or the other parties to these agreements. These agreements may contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:
• | should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; |
• | have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the application agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement; |
• | may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to our investors; and |
• | were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments. |
Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time, and should not be relied upon by investors.
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Exhibit Number | Description | Reference | ||
3.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Primerica's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 22, 2013 (Commission File No. 001-34680). | ||
3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Primerica's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 22, 2013 (Commission File No. 001-34680). | ||
4.1 | Indenture, dated July 16, 2012, among the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Primerica's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 11, 2012 (Commission File No. 001-34680). | ||
4.2 | First Supplemental Indenture, dated July 16, 2012, among the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Primerica's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 11, 2012 (Commission File No. 001-34680). | ||
4.3 | Form of 4.750% Senior Notes due 2022. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 (included in Exhibit 4.2 filed herewith) to Primerica's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 11, 2012 (Commission File No. 001-34680). | ||
31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, executed by D. Richard Williams, Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer. | Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Quarterly Report. | ||
31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, executed by John A. Addison, Chairman of Primerica Distribution and Co-Chief Executive Officer. | Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Quarterly Report. | ||
31.3 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, executed by Alison S. Rand, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. | Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Quarterly Report. | ||
32.1 | Certifications required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350), executed by D. Richard Williams, Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer, John A. Addison, Chairman of Primerica Distribution and Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Alison S. Rand, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. | Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Quarterly Report. | ||
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document(1) | Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Quarterly Report. | ||
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema | Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Quarterly Report. | ||
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase | Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Quarterly Report. | ||
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase | Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Quarterly Report. | ||
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase | Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Quarterly Report. | ||
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase | Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Quarterly Report. |
____________________
(1) | Includes the following materials contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2014, formatted in XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Primerica, Inc. | |
May 6, 2014 | /s/ Alison S. Rand |
Alison S. Rand | |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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