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RLI CORP - Quarter Report: 2015 September (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

13

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

 

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:    001-09463

 

RLI Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

ILLINOIS

 

37-0889946

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification Number)

 

 

 

9025 North Lindbergh Drive, Peoria, IL

 

61615

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(309) 692-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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.   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).   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 

 

Accelerated filer 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer 

 

Smaller reporting company 

(Do not check if a 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     No

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

 

As of October 12, 2015, the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock was 43,384,236.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Table of Contents

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

Part I - Financial Information 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings For the Three-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations

20 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3. 

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk

34 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4. 

Controls and procedures

34 

 

 

 

 

Part II - Other Information 

34 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal proceedings

34 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1a.

Risk factors

34 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered sales of equity securities and use of proceeds

34 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults upon senior securities

34 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Mine safety disclosures

34 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other information

34 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

35 

 

 

 

 

Signatures 

 

 

36 

 

 

 

 

2


 

Table of Contents

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

RLI Corp. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three-Month Periods

 

 

Ended September 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   

$

179,448

    

$

177,747

Net investment income

 

 

13,964

 

 

14,200

Net realized investment gains

 

 

7,534

 

 

5,708

Consolidated revenue

 

$

200,946

 

$

197,655

Losses and settlement expenses

 

 

73,051

 

 

76,019

Policy acquisition costs

 

 

60,505

 

 

58,180

Insurance operating expenses

 

 

12,299

 

 

13,120

Interest expense on debt

 

 

1,857

 

 

1,857

General corporate expenses

 

 

1,958

 

 

2,800

Total expenses

 

$

149,670

 

$

151,976

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees

 

 

661

 

 

2,915

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

51,937

 

$

48,594

Income tax expense

 

 

16,029

 

 

15,340

Net earnings

 

$

35,908

 

$

33,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax

 

 

(16,136)

 

 

(12,353)

Comprehensive earnings

 

$

19,772

 

$

20,901

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net earnings per share

 

$

0.83

 

$

0.77

Basic comprehensive earnings per share

 

$

0.46

 

$

0.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

0.81

 

$

0.76

Diluted comprehensive earnings per share

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

43,342

 

 

43,026

Diluted

 

 

44,153

 

 

43,712

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid per common share

 

$

0.19

 

$

0.18

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

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RLI Corp. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine-Month Periods

 

 

Ended September 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

    

$

520,790

    

$

507,483

Net investment income

 

 

40,890

 

 

41,764

Net realized investment gains

 

 

25,622

 

 

22,640

Consolidated revenue

 

$

587,302

 

$

571,887

Losses and settlement expenses

 

 

218,461

 

 

220,380

Policy acquisition costs

 

 

178,965

 

 

168,387

Insurance operating expenses

 

 

37,297

 

 

39,187

Interest expense on debt

 

 

5,570

 

 

5,582

General corporate expenses

 

 

6,950

 

 

7,547

Total expenses

 

$

447,243

 

$

441,083

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees

 

 

11,041

 

 

12,204

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

151,100

 

$

143,008

Income tax expense

 

 

47,409

 

 

45,060

Net earnings

 

$

103,691

 

$

97,948

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax

 

 

(48,663)

 

 

25,318

Comprehensive earnings

 

$

55,028

 

$

123,266

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net earnings per share

 

$

2.40

 

$

2.28

Basic comprehensive earnings per share

 

$

1.27

 

$

2.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

2.35

 

$

2.24

Diluted comprehensive earnings per share

 

$

1.25

 

$

2.82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

43,232

 

 

43,004

Diluted

 

 

44,031

 

 

43,692

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid per common share

 

$

0.56

 

$

0.53

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

 

 

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RLI Corp. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

(in thousands, except share data)

    

2015

    

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

   

 

 

   

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale, at fair value

 

$

1,532,304

 

$

1,495,087

Equity securities, at fair value

 

 

369,047

 

 

410,642

Short-term investments, at cost

 

 

58,983

 

 

16,339

Other invested assets

 

 

10,873

 

 

11,597

Cash

 

 

28,188

 

 

30,620

Total investments and cash

 

$

1,999,395

 

$

1,964,285

Accrued investment income

 

 

13,741

 

 

14,629

Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable

 

 

170,942

 

 

154,573

Ceded unearned premium

 

 

52,161

 

 

53,961

Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses

 

 

317,737

 

 

335,106

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

 

72,300

 

 

65,123

Property and equipment

 

 

45,038

 

 

42,549

Investment in unconsolidated investees

 

 

71,451

 

 

60,046

Goodwill and intangibles

 

 

72,026

 

 

72,695

Other assets

 

 

14,598

 

 

12,575

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

2,829,389

 

$

2,775,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unpaid losses and settlement expenses

 

$

1,140,733

 

$

1,121,040

Unearned premiums

 

 

432,278

 

 

401,412

Reinsurance balances payable

 

 

38,829

 

 

38,013

Funds held

 

 

54,237

 

 

51,481

Income taxes-deferred

 

 

60,583

 

 

82,285

Bonds payable, long-term debt

 

 

149,658

 

 

149,625

Accrued expenses

 

 

47,609

 

 

63,148

Other liabilities

 

 

22,311

 

 

23,476

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

$

1,946,238

 

$

1,930,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock ($1 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(66,313,950 shares issued, 43,383,736 shares outstanding at 9/30/15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(66,032,929 shares issued, 43,102,715 shares outstanding at 12/31/14)

 

$

66,314

 

$

66,033

Paid-in capital

 

 

220,738

 

 

213,737

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings

 

 

122,720

 

 

171,383

Retained earnings

 

 

866,378

 

 

786,908

Deferred compensation

 

 

9,342

 

 

13,769

Less: Treasury shares at cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

(22,930,214 shares at 9/30/15 and 12/31/14)

 

 

(402,341)

 

 

(406,768)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

883,151

 

$

845,062

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

2,829,389

 

$

2,775,542

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

 

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RLI Corp. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine-Month Periods

 

 

Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

    

$

121,367

    

$

85,894

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments purchased

 

$

(540,159)

 

$

(422,287)

Investments sold

 

 

349,411

 

 

285,886

Investments called or matured

 

 

135,750

 

 

77,611

Net change in short-term investments

 

 

(43,745)

 

 

40,027

Net property and equipment purchased

 

 

(6,405)

 

 

(5,543)

Investment in equity method investee

 

 

(1,711)

 

 

(5,301)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

$

(106,859)

 

$

(29,607)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid

 

$

(24,221)

 

$

(22,791)

Stock plan share issuance

 

 

39

 

 

3,672

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options

 

 

7,242

 

 

400

Net cash used in financing activities

 

$

(16,940)

 

$

(18,719)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

$

(2,432)

 

$

37,568

Cash at the beginning of the period

 

$

30,620

 

$

39,469

Cash at September 30

 

$

28,188

 

$

77,037

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

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Table of Contents

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

A.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial reporting and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. As such, these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, and all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position at September 30, 2015 and the results of operations of RLI Corp. and subsidiaries for all periods presented have been made. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year.

 

The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. These estimates are inherently subject to change and actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.

 

B.  ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

No new accounting standards have been adopted as no issued updates would impact our financial statements.

 

C.  PROSPECTIVE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs

 

This ASU was issued to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring them to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related recognized debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We have not early-adopted this ASU and do not believe adoption will have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

ASU 2015-09, Financial Services-Insurance (Topic 944): Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts

 

This ASU was issued to enhance disclosures about an entity’s insurance liabilities, including the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows related to those liabilities. The new guidance requires the disclosure of the following information related to unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses:

a.

Net incurred and paid claims development information by accident year for the number of years for which claims incurred typically remain outstanding, but need not exceed 10 years;

b.

A reconciliation of incurred and paid claims development information to the aggregate carrying amount of the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, with separate disclosure of reinsurance recoverable on unpaid claims for each period presented in the statement of financial position;

c.

For each accident year presented, the total of incurred-but-not-reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims included in the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses;

d.

For each accident year presented, quantitative information about claim frequency accompanied by a qualitative description of methodologies used for determining claim frequency information; and

e.

For all claims, the average annual percentage payout of incurred claims by age.

This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. We have not early-adopted this ASU and while disclosures will be increased, we do not believe adoption will have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

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D.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

In accordance with GAAP guidelines, the amortization of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets is not permitted. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets remain on the balance sheet and are tested for impairment on an annual basis, or earlier if there is reason to suspect that their values may have been diminished or impaired. Goodwill and intangible assets totaled $72.0 million at September 30, 2015.

 

Goodwill and intangible assets resulting from acquisitions completed prior to 2011 totaled $26.2 million and is attributable to our surety segment. Of this $26.2 million, $25.6 million relates to goodwill and $0.6 million relates to an indefinite-lived intangible asset. Goodwill and intangible assets resulting from the Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company (CBIC) acquisition in April 2011 totaled $30.2 million. The CBIC-related assets include goodwill attributable to our casualty and surety segments of $5.3 million and $15.1 million, respectively, and an indefinite-lived intangible asset in the amount of $7.5 million, which relates to state insurance licenses. Annual impairment testing was performed on each of these goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets during the second quarter of 2015. Based upon these reviews, none of the assets were impaired. In addition, as of September 30, 2015, there were no triggering events that occurred that would suggest further review was necessary. Definite-lived intangible assets related to the CBIC acquisition totaled $2.3 million, net of amortization, as of September 30, 2015.

 

The remaining $15.6 million of goodwill and intangibles relates to our purchase of Rockbridge Underwriting Agency (Rockbridge) in November 2012. Of this amount, $12.4 million is recorded as goodwill attributable to our casualty segment. The remaining $3.2 million relates to definite-lived intangible assets, net of amortization, as of September 30, 2015. For the second consecutive year, interim impairment testing was triggered on this goodwill asset during the third quarter as a result of actual premium production falling below anticipated levels. We used a quantitative analysis to determine the impact of the difference and concluded that the asset was not impaired. However, as a result of the further decline in premium, the margin of fair value over carrying value is smaller than in previous years. We continue to monitor the performance of the reporting unit and will reevaluate the assumptions used in our valuation model during the normal annual testing to be conducted in the fourth quarter.

 

The aforementioned definite-lived intangible assets are amortized against future operating results based on their estimated useful lives. Amortization of intangible assets resulting from the acquisitions of CBIC and Rockbridge was $0.2 million for the third quarter of 2015 and $0.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015.

 

E.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock or common stock equivalents were exercised or converted into common stock. When inclusion of common stock equivalents increases the earnings per share or reduces the loss per share, the effect on earnings is anti-dilutive. Under these circumstances, the diluted net earnings or net loss per share is computed excluding the common stock equivalents.

 

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Table of Contents

The following represents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted EPS computations contained in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three-Month Period

 

For the Three-Month Period

 

 

Ended September 30,  2015

 

Ended September 30,  2014

 

 

Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share

 

Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share

(in thousands, except per share data)

    

(Numerator)

    

(Denominator)

    

Amount

    

(Numerator)

    

(Denominator)

    

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income available to common shareholders

   

$

35,908

    

43,342

    

$

0.83

    

$

33,254

    

43,026

    

$

0.77

Effect of Dilutive Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

 -

 

811

 

 

 

 

 

 -

 

686

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income available to common shareholders

 

$

35,908

 

44,153

 

$

0.81

 

$

33,254

 

43,712

 

$

0.76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine-Month Period

 

For the Nine-Month Period

 

 

Ended September 30,  2015

 

Ended September 30,  2014

 

 

Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share

 

Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share

(in thousands, except per share data)

    

(Numerator)

    

(Denominator)

    

Amount

    

(Numerator)

    

(Denominator)

    

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income available to common shareholders

   

$

103,691

    

43,232

    

$

2.40

    

$

97,948

    

43,004

    

$

2.28

Effect of Dilutive Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

 -

 

799

 

 

 

 

 

 -

 

688

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income available to common shareholders

 

$

103,691

 

44,031

 

$

2.35

 

$

97,948

 

43,692

 

$

2.24

 

F.  COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS

 

Our comprehensive earnings include net earnings plus unrealized gains/losses on our available-for-sale investment securities, net of tax. In reporting comprehensive earnings on a net basis in the statement of earnings, we used the federal statutory tax rate of 35 percent.

 

Unrealized losses for the first nine months of 2015 were $48.7 million, compared to unrealized gains of $25.3 million during the same period last year. Unrealized losses during the current year are attributable to the negative price performance of the equity portfolio as well as credit spreads moving wider throughout the corporate bond sector. In 2014, both fixed income and equity securities experienced positive price movements.

 

The following table illustrates the changes in the balance of each component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings for each period presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

For the Three-Month Periods

 

For the Nine-Month Periods

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

Unrealized Gains/Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities

    

2015

    

2014

    

2015

    

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$

138,856

 

$

173,698

 

$

171,383

 

$

136,027

Other comprehensive earnings before reclassifications

 

 

(11,257)

 

 

(8,642)

 

 

(32,020)

 

 

40,032

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings

 

 

(4,879)

 

 

(3,711)

 

 

(16,643)

 

 

(14,714)

Net current-period other comprehensive earnings (loss)

 

$

(16,136)

 

$

(12,353)

 

$

(48,663)

 

$

25,318

Ending balance

 

$

122,720

 

$

161,345

 

$

122,720

 

$

161,345

 

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The sale or other-than-temporary impairment of an available-for-sale security results in amounts being reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings to current period net earnings. The effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive earnings by the respective line items of net earnings are presented in the following table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Comprehensive Earnings

 

 

 

 

For the Three-Month

 

For the Nine-Month

 

 

Component of Accumulated 

 

Periods Ended September 30, 

 

Periods Ended September 30, 

 

Affected line item in the

Other Comprehensive Earnings

    

2015

    

2014

    

2015

    

2014

    

Statement of Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities

 

$

7,507

 

$

5,709

 

$

25,604

 

$

22,637

 

Net realized investment gains

 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

Other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on investments

 

 

$

7,507

 

$

5,709

 

$

25,604

 

$

22,637

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

 

 

(2,628)

 

 

(1,998)

 

 

(8,961)

 

 

(7,923)

 

Income tax expense

 

 

$

4,879

 

$

3,711

 

$

16,643

 

$

14,714

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

2.    INVESTMENTS

 

Our investments include fixed income debt securities and common stock equity securities. As disclosed in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we present all of our investments as available-for-sale, which are carried at fair value. During the fourth quarter of 2014, we sold our last remaining fixed income security that was classified as held-to-maturity. When available, we obtain quoted market prices to determine fair value for our investments. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using a secondary pricing source or using quoted market prices of similar securities. We have no investment securities for which fair value is determined using Level 3 inputs as defined in note 3 to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements, “Fair Value Measurements.”

 

Available-for-Sale Securities

 

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9/30/2015

 

    

Cost or

    

Gross

    

Gross

    

    

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

Asset Class

    

Cost

    

Gains

    

Losses

    

Value

U.S. government

 

$

32,708

 

$

328

 

$

 -

 

$

33,036

U.S. agency

 

 

13,455

 

 

430

 

 

(18)

 

 

13,867

Non-U.S. govt. & agency

 

 

5,042

 

 

 -

 

 

(378)

 

 

4,664

Agency MBS

 

 

253,499

 

 

8,312

 

 

(539)

 

 

261,272

ABS/CMBS*

 

 

83,203

 

 

1,778

 

 

(172)

 

 

84,809

Corporate

 

 

599,808

 

 

13,704

 

 

(11,489)

 

 

602,023

Municipal

 

 

516,618

 

 

16,614

 

 

(599)

 

 

532,633

Total Fixed Income

 

$

1,504,333

 

$

41,166

 

$

(13,195)

 

$

1,532,304

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

$

206,546

 

$

165,428

 

$

(2,927)

 

$

369,047

*Non-agency asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed

 

 

10


 

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Available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/31/2014

 

    

Cost or

    

Gross

    

Gross

    

    

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

Asset Class

    

Cost

    

Gains

    

Losses

    

Value

U.S. government

 

$

33,668

 

$

131

 

$

(11)

 

$

33,788

U.S. agency

 

 

6,385

 

 

362

 

 

 -

 

 

6,747

Non-U.S. govt. & agency

 

 

9,862

 

 

803

 

 

 -

 

 

10,665

Agency MBS

 

 

256,443

 

 

9,401

 

 

(1,376)

 

 

264,468

ABS/CMBS*

 

 

133,894

 

 

1,821

 

 

(411)

 

 

135,304

Corporate

 

 

543,183

 

 

23,697

 

 

(4,190)

 

 

562,690

Municipal

 

 

464,769

 

 

16,789

 

 

(133)

 

 

481,425

Total Fixed Income

 

$

1,448,204

 

$

53,004

 

$

(6,121)

 

$

1,495,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

$

193,535

 

$

218,105

 

$

(998)

 

$

410,642

*Non-agency asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed

 

The following table presents the amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities by contractual maturity dates as of September 30, 2015:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9/30/2015

Available-for-sale

 

Amortized

 

Fair

(in thousands)

    

Cost

    

Value

Due in one year or less

 

$

12,229

 

$

12,407

Due after one year through five years

 

 

286,581

 

 

292,120

Due after five years through 10 years

 

 

562,899

 

 

572,555

Due after 10 years

 

 

305,922

 

 

309,142

Mtge/ABS/CMBS*

 

 

336,702

 

 

346,080

Total available-for-sale

 

$

1,504,333

 

$

1,532,304

*Mortgage-backed, asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed

 

Unrealized Losses

 

We conduct and document periodic reviews of all securities with unrealized losses to evaluate whether the impairment is other-than-temporary. The following tables are used as part of our impairment analysis and illustrate the total value of securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The tables segregate the securities based on type, noting the fair value, cost (or amortized cost) and unrealized loss on each category of investment as well as in total. The tables further classify the securities based on the length of time they have been in an unrealized loss position. As of September 30, 2015 unrealized losses, as shown in the following tables, were 0.8 percent of total invested assets. Unrealized losses increased in 2015, primarily due to credit spreads moving wider throughout the corporate sector.

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,  2015

 

December 31,  2014

(in thousands)

    

< 12 Mos.

    

12 Mos. & 
Greater

    

Total

    

< 12 Mos.

    

12 Mos. & 
Greater

    

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

4,416

 

$

 —

 

$

4,416

Cost or amortized cost

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

4,427

 

 

 —

 

 

4,427

Unrealized Loss

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

(11)

 

$

 —

 

$

(11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Agency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

$

2,073

 

$

 —

 

$

2,073

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

Cost or amortized cost

 

 

2,091

 

 

 —

 

 

2,091

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Unrealized Loss

 

$

(18)

 

$

 —

 

$

(18)

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-U.S. government

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

$

4,664

 

$

 —

 

$

4,664

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

Cost or amortized cost

 

 

5,042

 

 

 —

 

 

5,042

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Unrealized Loss

 

$

(378)

 

$

 —

 

$

(378)

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

$

43,665

 

$

19,294

 

$

62,959

 

$

12,840

 

$

61,534

 

$

74,374

Cost or amortized cost

 

 

43,841

 

 

19,657

 

 

63,498

 

 

12,947

 

 

62,803

 

 

75,750

Unrealized Loss

 

$

(176)

 

$

(363)

 

$

(539)

 

$

(107)

 

$

(1,269)

 

$

(1,376)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABS/CMBS*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

$

18,525

 

$

2,571

 

$

21,096

 

$

63,782

 

$

11,616

 

$

75,398

Cost or amortized cost

 

 

18,675

 

 

2,593

 

 

21,268

 

 

64,084

 

 

11,725

 

 

75,809

Unrealized Loss

 

$

(150)

 

$

(22)

 

$

(172)

 

$

(302)

 

$

(109)

 

$

(411)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

$

214,761

 

$

15,876

 

$

230,637

 

$

123,617

 

$

14,488

 

$

138,105

Cost or amortized cost

 

 

222,647

 

 

19,479

 

 

242,126

 

 

127,634

 

 

14,661

 

 

142,295

Unrealized Loss

 

$

(7,886)

 

$

(3,603)

 

$

(11,489)

 

$

(4,017)

 

$

(173)

 

$

(4,190)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

$

52,040

 

$

 —

 

$

52,040

 

$

12,382

 

$

19,019

 

$

31,401

Cost or amortized cost

 

 

52,639

 

 

 —

 

 

52,639

 

 

12,411

 

 

19,123

 

 

31,534

Unrealized Loss

 

$

(599)

 

$

 —

 

$

(599)

 

$

(29)

 

$

(104)

 

$

(133)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal, fixed income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

$

335,728

 

$

37,741

 

$

373,469

 

$

217,037

 

$

106,657

 

$

323,694

Cost or amortized cost

 

 

344,935

 

 

41,729

 

 

386,664

 

 

221,503

 

 

108,312

 

 

329,815

Unrealized Loss

 

$

(9,207)

 

$

(3,988)

 

$

(13,195)

 

$

(4,466)

 

$

(1,655)

 

$

(6,121)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

$

28,021

 

$

 —

 

$

28,021

 

$

10,837

 

$

 —

 

$

10,837

Cost or amortized cost

 

 

30,948

 

 

 —

 

 

30,948

 

 

11,835

 

 

 —

 

 

11,835

Unrealized Loss

 

$

(2,927)

 

$

 —

 

$

(2,927)

 

$

(998)

 

$

 —

 

$

(998)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

$

363,749

 

$

37,741

 

$

401,490

 

$

227,874

 

$

106,657

 

$

334,531

Cost or amortized cost

 

 

375,883

 

 

41,729

 

 

417,612

 

 

233,338

 

 

108,312

 

 

341,650

Unrealized Loss

 

$

(12,134)

 

$

(3,988)

 

$

(16,122)

 

$

(5,464)

 

$

(1,655)

 

$

(7,119)

* Non-agency asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed

 

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The following table shows the composition of the fixed income securities in unrealized loss positions at September 30, 2015 by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) rating and the generally equivalent Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Moody’s ratings. The vast majority of the securities are rated by S&P and/or Moody’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equivalent

 

Equivalent

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

NAIC

    

S&P

    

Moody’s

 

Amortized

    

    

 

    

Unrealized

 

Percent

 

Rating

    

Rating

    

Rating

    

Cost

    

Fair Value

    

Loss

    

to Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

AAA/AA/A

 

Aaa/Aa/A

 

$

232,521

 

$

228,112

 

$

(4,409)

 

33.4

%

2

 

BBB

 

Baa

 

 

88,387

 

 

83,492

 

 

(4,895)

 

37.1

%

3

 

BB

 

Ba

 

 

33,320

 

 

31,700

 

 

(1,620)

 

12.3

%

4

 

B

 

B

 

 

31,846

 

 

29,677

 

 

(2,169)

 

16.4

%

5

 

CCC or lower

 

Caa or lower

 

 

590

 

 

488

 

 

(102)

 

0.8

%

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

386,664

 

$

373,469

 

$

(13,195)

 

100.0

%

 

Evaluating Investments for OTTI

 

The fixed income portfolio contained 361 securities in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2015. The $13.2 million in associated unrealized losses for these 361 securities represents 0.9 percent of the fixed income portfolio’s cost basis. Of these 361 securities, 42 have been in an unrealized loss position for 12 consecutive months or longer. All fixed income securities in the investment portfolio continue to pay the expected coupon payments under the contractual terms of the securities. Any credit-related impairment related to fixed income securities we do not plan to sell and for which we are not more likely than not to be required to sell is recognized in net earnings, with the non-credit related impairment recognized in comprehensive earnings. Based on our analysis, our fixed income portfolio is of high credit quality and we believe we will recover the amortized cost basis of our fixed income securities. We continually monitor the credit quality of our fixed income investments to assess if it is probable that we will receive our contractual or estimated cash flows in the form of principal and interest. There were no other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized in net earnings or other comprehensive earnings in the periods presented on the fixed income portfolio.

 

As of September 30, 2015, we held 10 common stock securities that were in an unrealized loss position. The unrealized loss on these securities was $2.9 million. Based on our analysis, we believe each security will recover in a reasonable period of time and we have the intent and ability to hold them until recovery. No equity securities have been in an unrealized loss position for 12 consecutive months or longer. There were no OTTI losses recognized in the periods presented on the equity portfolio.

 

Other Invested Assets

 

Other invested assets include an investment in a low income housing tax credit partnership, carried at amortized cost, and membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBC), carried at cost. Our interest in a low income housing tax credit partnership had a balance of $9.3 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $9.8 million at December 31, 2014 and recognized a total tax benefit of $0.3 million during the third quarter of 2015 and $0.8 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015. Our investment in FHLBC stock totaled $1.6 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $1.8 million at December 31, 2014.

 

Cash and Short-term Investments

 

Cash consists of uninvested balances in bank accounts. We had a cash balance of $28.2 million at the end of the third quarter of 2015, compared to $30.6 million at the end of 2014. Short-term investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The balance at September 30, 2015 was $59.0 million, compared to $16.3 million at December 31, 2014.

 

3.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

Fair value is defined as the price in the principal market that would be received for an asset to facilitate an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.

 

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We determined the fair value of certain financial instruments based on their underlying characteristics and relevant transactions in the marketplace. GAAP guidance requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The guidance also describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value.

 

Financial assets are classified based upon the lowest level of significant input that is used to determine fair value. The following are the levels of the fair value hierarchy and a brief description of the type of valuation inputs that are used to establish each level:

 

Pricing Level 1 is applied to valuations based on readily available, unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

 

Pricing Level 2 is applied to valuations based upon quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g. interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities) or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

Pricing Level 3 is applied to valuations that are derived from techniques in which one or more of the significant inputs are unobservable.

 

As a part of management’s process to determine fair value, we utilize widely recognized, third-party pricing sources to determine our fair values. We have obtained an understanding of the third-party pricing sources’ valuation methodologies and inputs. The following is a description of the valuation techniques used for financial assets that are measured at fair value, including the general classification of such assets pursuant to the fair value hierarchy.

 

Corporate, Agencies, Government and Municipal Bonds: The pricing vendor employs a multi-dimensional model which uses standard inputs including (listed in approximate order of priority for use) benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, market bids/offers and other reference data. The pricing vendor also monitors market indicators, as well as industry and economic events. All bonds valued using these techniques are classified as Level 2. All corporate, agency, government and municipal securities were deemed Level 2.

 

Mortgage-backed Securities (MBS)/Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities (CMBS) and Asset-backed Securities (ABS): The pricing vendor evaluation methodology includes principally interest rate movements and new issue data. Evaluation of the tranches (non-volatile, volatile or credit sensitivity) is based on the pricing vendors’ interpretation of accepted modeling and pricing conventions. This information is then used to determine the cash flows for each tranche, benchmark yields, prepayment assumptions and to incorporate collateral performance. To evaluate MBS and CMBS volatility, an option adjusted spread model is used in combination with models that simulate interest rate paths to determine market price information. This process allows the pricing vendor to obtain evaluations of a broad universe of securities in a way that reflects changes in yield curve, index rates, implied volatility, mortgage rates and recent trade activity. MBS/CMBS and ABS with corroborated, observable inputs are classified as Level 2. All of our MBS/CMBS and ABS are deemed Level 2.

 

Common Stock: Exchange traded equities have readily observable price levels and are classified as Level 1 (fair value based on quoted market prices). All of our common stock holdings are deemed Level 1.

 

For the Level 2 securities, as described above, we periodically conduct a review to assess the reasonableness of the fair values provided by our pricing services. Our review consists of a two pronged approach. First, we compare prices provided by our pricing services to those provided by an additional source. Second, we obtain prices from securities brokers and compare them to the prices provided by our pricing services. In both comparisons, when discrepancies are found, we compare our prices to actual reported trade data for like securities. Based on this assessment, we determined that the fair values of our Level 2 securities provided by our pricing services are reasonable.

 

For common stock, we receive prices from a nationally recognized pricing service. Prices are based on observable inputs in an active market and are therefore disclosed as Level 1. Based on this assessment, we determined that the fair values of our Level 1 securities provided by our pricing service are reasonable.

 

Due to the relatively short-term nature of cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable, their carrying amounts are reasonable estimates of fair value.

 

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Assets measured at fair value in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements on a recurring basis are summarized below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of September 30,  2015

 

 

Fair Value Measurements Using

 

    

Quoted Prices in

    

Significant Other

    

Significant

    

    

 

 

 

Active Markets for

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

 

Identical Assets

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

 

 

(in thousands)

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

    

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government

 

$

 —

 

$

33,036

 

$

 —

 

$

33,036

U.S. agency

 

 

 —

 

 

13,867

 

 

 —

 

 

13,867

Non-U.S. govt. & agency

 

 

 —

 

 

4,664

 

 

 —

 

 

4,664

Agency MBS

 

 

 —

 

 

261,272

 

 

 —

 

 

261,272

ABS/CMBS*

 

 

 —

 

 

84,809

 

 

 —

 

 

84,809

Corporate

 

 

 —

 

 

602,023

 

 

 —

 

 

602,023

Municipal

 

 

 —

 

 

532,633

 

 

 —

 

 

532,633

Equity

 

 

369,047

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

369,047

Total available-for-sale securities

 

$

369,047

 

$

1,532,304

 

$

 —

 

$

1,901,351

*Non-agency asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,  2014

 

 

Fair Value Measurements Using

 

 

Quoted Prices in

    

Significant Other

    

Significant

    

    

 

 

 

Active Markets for

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

 

Identical Assets

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

 

 

(in thousands)

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

    

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government

 

$

 —

 

$

33,788

 

$

 —

 

$

33,788

U.S. agency

 

 

 —

 

 

6,747

 

 

 —

 

 

6,747

Non-U.S. govt. & agency

 

 

 —

 

 

10,665

 

 

 —

 

 

10,665

Agency MBS

 

 

 —

 

 

264,468

 

 

 —

 

 

264,468

ABS/CMBS*

 

 

 —

 

 

135,304

 

 

 —

 

 

135,304

Corporate

 

 

 —

 

 

562,690

 

 

 —

 

 

562,690

Municipal

 

 

 —

 

 

481,425

 

 

 —

 

 

481,425

Equity

 

 

410,642

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

410,642

Total available-for-sale securities

 

$

410,642

 

$

1,495,087

 

$

 —

 

$

1,905,729

* Non-agency asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed

 

As noted in the above table, we did not have any assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the period. Additionally, there were no securities transferred in or out of levels 1 or 2 during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015.

 

4.  INCOME TAXES

 

Our effective tax rate for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 was 30.9 percent and 31.4 percent, respectively, compared to 31.6 percent and 31.5 percent for the same periods in 2014. Effective rates are dependent upon components of pretax earnings and the related tax effects. The effective rate was slightly lower for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 due to a combination of minor tax adjustments.

 

Income tax expense attributable to income from operations for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal tax rate of 35 percent to pretax income as a result of the following:

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three-Month Periods Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30,

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

(in thousands)

    

Amount

    

  %  

    

    

Amount

    

  %  

 

 

Amount

    

  %  

    

 

Amount

    

  %  

 

Provision for income taxes at the statutory rate of 35%

 

$

18,178

 

35.0

%

 

$

17,008

 

35.0

%

 

$

52,885

 

35.0

%

 

$

50,053

 

35.0

%

Increase (reduction) in taxes resulting from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax exempt interest income

 

 

(1,082)

 

(2.1)

%

 

 

(1,033)

 

(2.1)

%

 

 

(3,098)

 

(2.0)

%

 

 

(3,115)

 

(2.2)

%

Dividends received deduction

 

 

(603)

 

(1.2)

%

 

 

(633)

 

(1.3)

%

 

 

(1,715)

 

(1.1)

%

 

 

(1,764)

 

(1.2)

%

ESOP dividends paid deduction

 

 

(234)

 

(0.4)

%

 

 

(218)

 

(0.4)

%

 

 

(693)

 

(0.5)

%

 

 

(639)

 

(0.5)

%

Other items, net

 

 

(230)

 

(0.4)

%

 

 

216

 

0.4

%

 

 

30

 

0.0

%

 

 

525

 

0.4

%

Total tax expense

 

$

16,029

 

30.9

%

 

$

15,340

 

31.6

%

 

$

47,409

 

31.4

%

 

$

45,060

 

31.5

%

 

 

5.  STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

 

Our RLI Corp. Omnibus Stock Plan (omnibus plan) was in place from 2005 to 2010. The omnibus plan provided for equity-based compensation, including stock options, up to a maximum of 3,000,000 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment for changes in our capitalization and other events). Between 2005 and 2010, we granted 2,458,059 stock options under this plan, including incentive stock options (ISOs), which were adjusted as part of the special dividends paid in 2014 and prior years. The omnibus plan was replaced in 2010.

 

In 2010, our shareholders approved the RLI Corp. Long-Term Incentive Plan (2010 LTIP), which provides for equity-based compensation and replaced the omnibus plan. In conjunction with the adoption of the 2010 LTIP, effective May 6, 2010, options were no longer granted under the omnibus plan. The 2010 LTIP provided for equity-based compensation, including stock options, up to a maximum of 4,000,000 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment for changes in our capitalization and other events). Between 2010 and 2015, we granted 2,878,000 stock options under the 2010 LTIP, including 53,500 in the first quarter of 2015. The 2010 LTIP was replaced in the second quarter of 2015.

 

During the second quarter of 2015, our shareholders approved the 2015 RLI Corp. Long-Term Incentive Plan (2015 LTIP), which provides for equity-based compensation and replaced the 2010 LTIP. In conjunction with the adoption of the 2015 LTIP, effective May 7, 2015, options were no longer granted under the 2010 LTIP. Awards under the 2015 LTIP may be in the form of restricted stock, stock options (non-qualified only), stock appreciation rights, performance units as well as other stock-based awards. Eligibility under the 2015 LTIP is limited to employees and directors of the company or any affiliate. The granting of awards under the 2015 LTIP is solely at the discretion of the board of directors. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2015 LTIP is 4,000,000 shares (subject to adjustment for changes in our capitalization and other events). Thus far in 2015, we have granted 463,500 stock options under the 2015 LTIP.

 

Under the 2015 LTIP, as under the 2010 LTIP and omnibus plan, we grant stock options for shares with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant (subject to adjustments for changes in our capitalization, special dividends and other events as set forth in such plans). Options generally vest and become exercisable ratably over a five-year period and expire eight years after grant.

 

For most participants, the requisite service period and vesting period will be the same. For participants who are retirement eligible, defined by the plan as those individuals whose age and years of service equals 75, the requisite service period is deemed to be met and options are immediately expensed on the date of grant. For participants who will become retirement eligible during the vesting period, the requisite service period over which expense is recognized is the period between the grant date and the attainment of retirement eligibility. Shares issued upon option exercise are newly issued shares.

 

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The following tables summarize option activity for the periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

    

 

    

    

 

Weighted

 

    

    

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

Average

 

Aggregate

 

 

Number of

 

Average

 

Remaining

 

Intrinsic

 

 

Options

 

Exercise

 

Contractual

 

Value

 

    

Outstanding

    

Price

    

Life

    

(in 000’s)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding options at January 1, 2015

 

2,892,717

 

$

26.65

 

 

 

 

 

Options granted

 

517,000

 

$

50.09

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercised

 

(511,187)

 

$

18.27

 

 

 

$

17,845

Options canceled/forfeited

 

(4,560)

 

$

31.87

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding options at September 30, 2015

 

2,893,970

 

$

32.31

 

5.29

 

$

61,522

Exercisable options at September 30, 2015

 

1,197,470

 

$

23.89

 

4.01

 

$

35,497

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

    

 

    

    

 

Weighted

 

    

    

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

Average

 

Aggregate

 

 

Number of

 

Average

 

Remaining

 

Intrinsic

 

 

Options

 

Exercise

 

Contractual

 

Value

 

    

Outstanding

    

Price

    

Life

    

(in 000’s)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding options at January 1, 2014

 

2,595,084

 

$

26.04

 

 

 

 

 

Options granted

 

464,500

 

$

42.90

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercised

 

(47,412)

 

$

17.95

 

 

 

$

1,250

Options canceled/forfeited

 

(740)

 

$

16.51

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding options at September 30, 2014

 

3,011,432

 

$

28.77

 

5.25

 

$

43,850

Exercisable options at September 30, 2014

 

1,351,312

 

$

22.29

 

3.99

 

$

28,382

 

The majority of our stock options are granted annually at our regular board meeting in May. In addition, options are approved at the May meeting for quarterly grants to certain retirement eligible employees. Since stock option grants to retirement eligible employees are fully expensed when issued, the approach allows for a more even expense distribution throughout the year.

 

Thus far in 2015, 517,000 stock options were granted with a weighted average exercise price of $50.09 and a weighted average fair value of $9.04. We recognized $1.1 million of expense in the third quarter of 2015 and $3.0 million in the first nine months of 2015 related to options vesting. Since options granted under our 2010 LTIP and 2015 LTIP are non-qualified, we recorded a tax benefit of $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2015 and $1.1 million in the first nine months of 2015 related to this compensation expense. Total unrecognized compensation expense relating to outstanding and unvested options was $6.3 million, which will be recognized over the remainder of the vesting period. Comparatively, we recognized $0.9 million of expense in the third quarter of 2014 and $2.9 million of expense in the first nine months of 2014. We recorded a tax benefit of $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2014 and $1.0 million in the first nine months of 2014 related to this compensation expense.

 

The fair value of options was estimated using a Black-Scholes based option pricing model with the following weighted average grant-date assumptions and weighted average fair values as of September 30:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

2015

 

    

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average fair value of grants

 

$

9.04

 

 

$

7.76

 

Risk-free interest rates

 

 

1.53

%

 

 

1.70

%

Dividend yield

 

 

1.81

%

 

 

1.94

%

Expected volatility

 

 

22.89

%

 

 

23.19

%

Expected option life

 

 

5.21

years

 

 

5.17

years

 

The risk-free rate was determined based on U.S. treasury yields that most closely approximated the option’s expected life. The dividend yield was calculated based on the average annualized ordinary dividends paid during the most recent five-year period. It excluded the special dividends paid in the fourth quarters of 2014 and prior years. The expected volatility was calculated based on the median of the rolling volatilities for the expected life of the options. The expected option life was determined based on historical exercise behavior and the assumption that all outstanding options will be exercised at the midpoint of the current date and remaining contractual term, adjusted for the demographics of the current year’s grant.

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During the first quarter of 2014, each outside director received $10,000 worth of restricted common shares from the 2010 LTIP as part of director compensation. The shares were directly owned by each director on the date of issuance and included a one-year restriction on the sale or transfer of such shares. In the first quarter of 2014, we issued a total of 2,097 restricted shares and recognized $0.1 million of compensation expense. This restricted share program was terminated in 2014.

 

6.  OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

Selected information by operating segment is presented in the table below. Additionally, the table reconciles segment totals to total earnings and total revenues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three-Month Periods

 

For the Nine-Month Periods

REVENUES

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

    

2015

    

2014

    

2015

    

2014

Net premiums earned:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty

 

$

105,160

 

$

96,181

 

$

305,842

 

$

281,518

Property

 

 

44,685

 

 

54,143

 

 

128,084

 

 

146,252

Surety

 

 

29,603

 

 

27,423

 

 

86,864

 

 

79,713

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment totals before income taxes

 

$

179,448

 

$

177,747

 

$

520,790

 

$

507,483

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

13,964

 

 

14,200

 

 

40,890

 

 

41,764

Net realized gains

 

 

7,534

 

 

5,708

 

 

25,622

 

 

22,640

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total consolidated revenue

 

$

200,946

 

$

197,655

 

$

587,302

 

$

571,887

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

    

2015

    

2014

    

2015

    

2014

Casualty

 

$

13,651

 

$

13,786

 

$

38,124

 

$

36,331

Property

 

 

9,216

 

 

7,498

 

 

22,220

 

 

19,469

Surety

 

 

10,726

 

 

9,144

 

 

25,723

 

 

23,729

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net underwriting income

 

$

33,593

 

$

30,428

 

$

86,067

 

$

79,529

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

13,964

 

 

14,200

 

 

40,890

 

 

41,764

Net realized gains

 

 

7,534

 

 

5,708

 

 

25,622

 

 

22,640

General corporate expense and interest on debt

 

 

(3,815)

 

 

(4,657)

 

 

(12,520)

 

 

(13,129)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees

 

 

661

 

 

2,915

 

 

11,041

 

 

12,204

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total earnings before income taxes

 

$

51,937

 

$

48,594

 

$

151,100

 

$

143,008

Income tax expense

 

 

16,029

 

 

15,340

 

 

47,409

 

 

45,060

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net earnings

 

$

35,908

 

$

33,254

 

$

103,691

 

$

97,948

 

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Table of Contents

The following table further summarizes revenues by major product type within each operating segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three-Month Periods

 

For the Nine-Month Periods

NET PREMIUMS EARNED

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

    

2015

    

2014

    

2015

    

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial and personal umbrella

 

$

26,500

 

$

25,256

 

$

77,809

 

$

75,036

General liability

 

 

20,146

 

 

20,095

 

 

60,725

 

 

60,550

Professional services

 

 

18,140

 

 

15,227

 

 

52,861

 

 

41,927

Commercial transportation

 

 

17,464

 

 

14,677

 

 

47,262

 

 

44,193

P&C package business

 

 

10,257

 

 

8,969

 

 

29,815

 

 

25,747

Executive products

 

 

4,459

 

 

4,760

 

 

13,745

 

 

14,165

Medical professional liability

 

 

3,032

 

 

3,546

 

 

9,168

 

 

10,970

Other casualty

 

 

5,162

 

 

3,651

 

 

14,457

 

 

8,930

Total

 

$

105,160

 

$

96,181

 

$

305,842

 

$

281,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial property

 

$

18,546

 

$

20,188

 

$

57,498

 

$

60,675

Marine

 

 

12,029

 

 

12,115

 

 

34,930

 

 

37,278

Specialty personal

 

 

6,535

 

 

6,947

 

 

19,982

 

 

19,764

Property reinsurance

 

 

3,029

 

 

2,997

 

 

9,388

 

 

9,745

Crop reinsurance

 

 

4,523

 

 

11,802

 

 

6,210

 

 

18,671

Other property

 

 

23

 

 

94

 

 

76

 

 

119

Total

 

$

44,685

 

$

54,143

 

$

128,084

 

$

146,252

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surety

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous

 

$

10,659

 

$

9,868

 

$

31,316

 

$

28,948

Commercial

 

 

7,546

 

 

6,521

 

 

22,039

 

 

18,968

Contract

 

 

7,472

 

 

6,879

 

 

21,091

 

 

19,896

Oil and gas

 

 

3,926

 

 

4,155

 

 

12,418

 

 

11,901

Total

 

$

29,603

 

$

27,423

 

$

86,864

 

$

79,713

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grand Total

 

$

179,448

 

$

177,747

 

$

520,790

 

$

507,483

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.  ACQUISITION

 

On February 5, 2014, we invested $5.3 million for a 20 percent equity ownership interest in Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. (Prime). On March 4, 2015 we invested an additional $1.7 million, increasing our total equity ownership to 27 percent. Prime writes business through two Illinois domiciled insurance carriers, Prime Insurance Company, an excess and surplus lines company, and Prime Property and Casualty Insurance Inc., an admitted insurance company. The investment in Prime is reflected on our balance sheet as an investment in unconsolidated investee. Under the equity method of accounting we recognize our proportionate share of Prime’s income as equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees. Our share of Prime’s earnings amounted to $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2015 and $0.9 million in the first nine months of 2015. Comparatively, our share of Prime’s earnings amounted to $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2014 and $0.4 million in the first nine months of 2014.

 

Additionally, we entered into a 25 percent quota share reinsurance treaty with Prime’s two insurance subsidiaries, effective January 1, 2014. We assumed gross premiums of $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2015 and $9.7 million in the first nine months of 2015 related to this quota share agreement. Comparatively, we assumed gross premiums of $2.4 million in the third quarter of 2014 and $7.4 million in the first nine months of 2014.

 

 

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ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

“SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: This discussion and analysis may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. Various risk factors that could affect future results are listed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We underwrite selected property and casualty insurance through major subsidiaries collectively known as RLI Insurance Group (the Group). We conduct operations principally through four insurance companies. These companies are organized in a vertical structure beneath RLI Corp. with RLI Insurance Company (RLI Ins.) as the first-level, or principal, insurance subsidiary. RLI Ins. writes multiple lines of insurance on an admitted basis in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Mt. Hawley Insurance Company (Mt. Hawley), a subsidiary of RLI Ins., writes excess and surplus lines insurance on a non-admitted basis in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. RLI Indemnity Company (RIC), a subsidiary of Mt. Hawley, has authority to write multiple lines of insurance on an admitted basis in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company (CBIC), a subsidiary of RLI Ins., has authority to write multiple lines of insurance on an admitted basis in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each of our insurance companies is domiciled in Illinois. We are an Illinois corporation that was organized in 1965.

 

As a specialty company with a niche focus, we offer insurance coverages in both the specialty admitted and excess and surplus markets. Coverages in the specialty admitted market, such as our oil and gas surety bonds, are for risks that are unique or hard-to-place in the standard market, but must remain with an admitted insurance company for regulatory or marketing reasons. In addition, our coverages in the specialty admitted market may be designed to meet specific insurance needs of targeted insured groups, such as our professional liability and package coverages for design professionals and our stand-alone personal umbrella policy. The specialty admitted market is subject to more state regulation than the excess and surplus market, particularly with regard to rate and form filing requirements, restrictions on the ability to exit lines of business, premium tax payments and membership in various state associations, such as state guaranty funds and assigned risk plans. We also underwrite coverages in the excess and surplus market. The excess and surplus market, unlike the standard admitted market, is less regulated and more flexible in terms of policy forms and premium rates. This market provides an alternative for customers with risks or loss exposures that generally cannot be written in the standard admitted market. This typically results in coverages that are more restrictive and more expensive than coverages in the standard admitted market. When we underwrite within the excess and surplus market, we are selective in the lines of business and type of risks we choose to write. Using our non-admitted status in this market allows us to tailor terms and conditions to manage these exposures effectively. Often, the development of these coverages is generated through proposals brought to us by an agent or broker seeking coverage for a specific group of clients or loss exposures. Once a proposal is submitted, our underwriters determine whether it would be a viable product based on our business objectives.

 

The foundation of our overall business strategy is to underwrite for profit in all market conditions and we achieved this for 19 consecutive years, averaging an 87.4 combined ratio over that period of time. This foundation drives our ability to provide shareholder returns in three different ways: the underwriting income itself, net investment income from our investment portfolio and long-term appreciation in our equity portfolio. Our investment strategy is based on preservation of capital as the first priority, with a secondary focus on generating total return. The fixed income portfolio consists primarily of highly-rated, diversified, liquid investment-grade securities. Consistent underwriting income allows a portion of our shareholders’ equity to be invested in equity securities. Our equity portfolio consists of a core stock portfolio weighted toward dividend-paying stocks, as well as exchange traded funds (ETFs). Our minority equity ownership interests in Maui Jim, Inc. (Maui Jim), a manufacturer of high-quality sunglasses, and Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. (Prime), a specialty excess and surplus insurance company, has also enhanced overall returns. We have a diversified investment portfolio and closely monitor our investment risks. Despite periodic fluctuations in market value, our equity portfolio is part of a long-term asset allocation strategy and has contributed significantly to our historic growth in book value.

 

We measure the results of our insurance operations by monitoring certain measures of growth and profitability across three distinct business segments: casualty, property and surety. Growth is measured in terms of gross premiums written and

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profitability is analyzed through combined ratios, which are further subdivided into their respective loss and expense components.

 

The property and casualty insurance business is cyclical and influenced by many factors, including price competition, economic conditions, natural or man-made disasters (for example, earthquakes, hurricanes and terrorism), interest rates, state regulations, court decisions and changes in the law.

 

One of the unique and challenging features of the property and casualty insurance business is that coverages must be priced before costs have fully developed, because premiums are charged before claims are incurred. This requires that liabilities be estimated and recorded in recognition of future loss and settlement obligations. Due to the inherent uncertainty in estimating these liabilities, there can be no assurance that actual liabilities will not be more or less than recorded amounts; if actual liabilities differ from recorded amounts, there will be an adverse or favorable effect on net earnings. In evaluating the objective performance measures previously mentioned, it is important to consider the following individual characteristics of each major insurance segment.

 

The casualty portion of our business consists largely of general liability, personal umbrella, transportation, executive products and commercial umbrella coverages, as well as package business and other specialty coverages, such as professional liability and workers compensation for office-based professionals. We offer fidelity and crime coverage for commercial insureds and select financial institutions and recently expanded our casualty offerings to include medical and healthcare professional liability coverage in the excess and surplus market. We also assume select casualty business for excess and surplus accounts through our quota share reinsurance agreement with Prime. The casualty business is subject to the risk of estimating losses and related loss reserves because the ultimate settlement of a casualty claim may take several years to fully develop. The casualty segment is also subject to inflation risk and may be affected by evolving legislation and court decisions that define the extent of coverage and the amount of compensation due for injuries or losses.

 

Our property segment is comprised primarily of commercial fire, earthquake, difference in conditions, marine and facultative and treaty reinsurance including crop. We also offer select personal lines policies, such as recreational vehicle and Hawaii homeowners coverages. While our marine and facultative reinsurance coverages are predominantly domestic risks, these portfolios do contain a relatively small portion of foreign risks. Property insurance and reinsurance results are subject to the variability introduced by perils such as earthquakes, fires and hurricanes. Our major catastrophe exposure is to losses caused by earthquakes, primarily on the West Coast. Our second largest catastrophe exposure is to losses caused by wind storms to commercial properties throughout the Gulf and East Coast, as well as to homes we insure in Hawaii. We limit our net aggregate exposure to a catastrophic event by minimizing the total policy limits written in a particular region, purchasing reinsurance and maintaining policy terms and conditions throughout market cycles. We also use computer-assisted modeling techniques to provide estimates that help us carefully manage the concentration of risks exposed to catastrophic events. Our assumed multi-peril crop and hail treaty reinsurance business covers revenue shortfalls or production losses due to natural causes such as drought, excessive moisture, hail, wind, frost, insects and disease. Significant aggregation of these losses is mitigated by the U.S. Federal Government reinsurance program that provides stop loss protection inuring to our benefit. As noted in previous filings, our portion of assumed crop reinsurance was reduced for 2015 and will expire at the end of the current crop year due to the acquisition of the cedant. Additionally, we discontinued offering facultative reinsurance at the end of the third quarter of 2015 as a result of challenging market conditions. Our facultative reinsurance operations generated less than $6 million of gross written premium in 2014.

 

The surety segment specializes in writing small-to-large commercial and contract surety coverages, as well as those for the energy, petrochemical and refining industries. We offer miscellaneous bonds including license and permit, notary and court bonds. Often, our surety coverages involve a statutory requirement for bonds. While these bonds typically maintain a relatively low loss ratio, losses may fluctuate due to adverse economic conditions affecting the financial viability of our insureds. The contract surety product guarantees the construction work of a commercial contractor for a specific project. Generally, losses occur due to the deterioration of a contractor’s financial condition. This line has historically produced marginally higher loss ratios than other surety lines during economic downturns.

 

The insurance marketplace remains intensely competitive across all of our segments. The impact of new entrants, alternative capital and lower catastrophe activity in recent periods has had a significant impact on the industry. Despite these challenges in today’s marketplace, we believe that our business model is built to create underwriting income by focusing on sound risk selection and discipline. Our primary focus will continue to be on underwriting profitability, with a secondary focus on premium growth where we believe underwriting profit exists, as opposed to general premium growth or market share measurements.

 

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On May 27, 2015, RLI Ins. and Mt. Hawley entered into a stock purchase agreement to sell RIC to Clear Blue Financial Holdings, LLC, for $7.5 million to be paid in cash at closing. RIC is being sold as a “shell” with the primary value being derived from the transfer of insurance licenses. RIC has minimal assets and written premium and is currently transferring all premium and loss cash flows to RLI Ins. through a 100 percent reinsurance agreement. After closing, RLI Ins. will reinsure all then-existing RIC bond and insurance liabilities, adjust claims and service the remaining in-force policies and bonds until they terminate or are moved into RLI Ins. The transaction is structured as a sale of the stock of RIC by Mt. Hawley and is subject to approval by the Illinois Department of Insurance. If regulatory approval is received, closing would occur shortly thereafter.

 

GAAP and non-GAAP Financial Performance Metrics

 

Throughout this quarterly report, we present our operations in the way we believe will be most meaningful, useful and transparent to anyone using this financial information to evaluate our performance. In addition to the GAAP presentation of net income, we show certain statutory reporting information and other non-GAAP financial measures that we believe are valuable in managing our business and drawing comparisons to our peers. These measures are underwriting income, combined ratios and net unpaid loss and settlement expenses.

 

Following is a list of non-GAAP measures found throughout this report with their definitions, relationships to GAAP measures and explanations of their importance to our operations.

 

Underwriting Income

 

Underwriting income or profit represents one measure of the pretax profitability of our insurance operations and is derived by subtracting losses and settlement expenses, policy acquisition costs and insurance operating expenses from net premiums earned. Each of these captions is presented in the statements of earnings, but not subtotaled. However, this information is available in total and by segment in note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, regarding operating segment information. The nearest comparable GAAP measure is earnings before income taxes which, in addition to underwriting income, includes net investment income, net realized gains/losses on investments, general corporate expenses, debt costs and earnings from unconsolidated investees.

 

Combined Ratio

 

This ratio is a common industry measure of profitability for any underwriting operation and is calculated in two components. First, the loss ratio is losses and settlement expenses divided by net premiums earned. The second component, the expense ratio, reflects the sum of policy acquisition costs and insurance operating expenses, divided by net premiums earned. All items included in these components of the combined ratio are presented in our GAAP financial statements. The sum of the loss and expense ratios is the combined ratio. The difference between the combined ratio and 100 reflects the per-dollar rate of underwriting income or loss. For example, a combined ratio of 85 implies that for every $100 of premium we earn, we record $15 of underwriting income.

 

Net Unpaid Loss and Settlement Expenses

 

Unpaid losses and settlement expenses, as shown in the liabilities section of our balance sheets, represents the total obligations to claimants for both estimates of known claims and estimates for incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims. The related asset item, reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expense, is the estimate of known claims and estimates of IBNR that we expect to recover from reinsurers. The net of these two items is generally referred to as net unpaid loss and settlement expenses and is commonly used in our disclosures regarding the process of establishing these various estimated amounts.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

In preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

 

The most critical accounting policies involve significant estimates and include those used in determining the liability for unpaid losses and settlement expenses, investment valuation and OTTI, recoverability of reinsurance balances, deferred policy

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acquisition costs and deferred taxes. For a detailed discussion of each of these policies, refer to our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes to any of these policies during the current year.

 

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

 

Consolidated revenues, as displayed in the table that follows, totaled $587.3 million for the first nine months of 2015, compared to $571.9 million for the same period in 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine-Month Periods

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

    

2015

    

2014

Consolidated revenues (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$

520,790

 

$

507,483

Net investment income

 

 

40,890

 

 

41,764

Net realized investment gains

 

 

25,622

 

 

22,640

Total consolidated revenue

 

$

587,302

 

$

571,887

 

Consolidated revenue for the first nine months of 2015 increased $15.4 million, or 3 percent, from the same period in 2014. Net premiums earned for the Group increased 3 percent, driven by growth from our casualty and surety segments, which were each up 9 percent. Due to the current low yield environment, net investment income decreased 2 percent to $40.9 million. Net realized investment gains totaled $25.6 million in the first nine months of 2015, compared to $22.6 million in 2014.

 

Net after-tax earnings for the first nine months of 2015 totaled $103.7 million, $2.35 per diluted share, compared to $97.9 million, $2.24 per diluted share, for the same period last year. Results for both periods reflected positive underwriting results for the current accident year and also benefited from favorable development on prior years’ loss reserves. From a prior accident year standpoint, favorable development resulted in additional pretax earnings of $62.1 million in the first nine months of 2015, compared to $60.3 million in 2014. Results for 2014 also include $1.3 million of reinsurance reinstatement premium related to unfavorable development on prior years’ surety reserves. Underwriting results for both periods were impacted by losses from storm activity, which totaled $10.3 million in the first nine months of 2015, compared to $7.3 million for the same period last year. Bonus and profit sharing-related expenses related to prior year reserve development and storm losses totaled $7.6 million in 2015, compared to $7.4 million in 2014. These performance-related expenses affected policy acquisition, insurance operating and general corporate expenses. Bonus and profit-sharing amounts earned by executives, managers and associates are predominately influenced by corporate performance including operating earnings, combined ratio and return on capital.

 

During the first nine months of 2015, equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees totaled $11.0 million. This amount includes $10.1 million from Maui Jim and $0.9 million from Prime. Comparatively, the first nine months of 2014 reflected $12.2 million of earnings, including $11.8 million from Maui Jim and $0.4 million from Prime. The decrease in Maui Jim earnings is largely attributable to a loss on the sale of an asset and unfavorable foreign exchange results. Refer to Note 7, Acquisitions, for more information regarding our recent investments in Prime.

 

Comprehensive earnings, which include net earnings plus other comprehensive earnings (primarily the change in unrealized gains/losses net of tax), totaled $55.0 million, $1.25 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2015, compared to $123.3 million, $2.82 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2014. Unrealized losses, net of tax, in the first nine months of 2015 were $48.7 million, compared to unrealized gains of $25.3 million for the same period in 2014. Unrealized losses in the current year were primarily due to decreases in the equity portfolio. 

 

RLI INSURANCE GROUP

 

As reflected in the table below, gross premiums written for the Group decreased 2 percent to $653.0 million for the first nine months of 2015. The overall decline was driven by our property segment, down 23 percent, due largely to reduced premium from our assumed crop business. Excluding the impact of crop, gross premiums written increased 4 percent from prior year, as our casualty and surety segments each delivered solid growth. From a pricing standpoint, trends have varied across our product portfolio, with most coverages sustaining low to mid-single digit changes thus far in 2015. Catastrophe exposed coverages, however, have continued to experience double-digit decreases given continued soft market conditions. Our transportation and recreational vehicles businesses have fared much better from a pricing standpoint, as each achieved solid rate increases during the year. Net premiums written were up 2 percent in the first nine months of 2015, as cost savings realized during our 2015 reinsurance renewals served to offset the decline seen on a gross basis. During the first half of 2015 we renewed all material reinsurance treaties, which resulted in an $8.5 million reduction in ceded premiums from improved reinsurance rates, while

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some coverages were expanded. Excluding the impact of crop, net premiums written increased 6 percent. On a net premiums earned basis, premiums increased $13.3 million, or 3 percent, due to overall growth experienced in recent periods. Our casualty and surety segments have driven this growth, with net premiums earned up 9 percent in each of these segments. Underwriting income for the Group totaled $86.1 million for the first nine months of 2015, compared to $79.5 million in 2014. Both periods benefited from favorable development in prior years’ loss and catastrophe reserves, though the net benefit in 2015 was $2.5 million greater than in 2014. Results for both periods also reflected profitable underwriting results from a current accident year standpoint. Storm losses were relatively modest for both periods, though the net impact of losses in 2015 was $2.4 million greater than the prior year. The GAAP combined ratio totaled 83.4 in 2015, compared to 84.3 in 2014. The loss ratio decreased to 41.9 from 43.4, while the Group’s expense ratio increased slightly to 41.5 from 40.9.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine-Month Periods

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

    

2015

    

2014

Gross premiums written (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty

 

$

393,596

 

$

364,027

Property

 

 

165,635

 

 

216,499

Surety

 

 

93,776

 

 

88,864

Total

 

$

653,007

 

$

669,390

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting income (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

Casualty

 

$

38,124

 

$

36,331

Property

 

 

22,220

 

 

19,469

Surety

 

 

25,723

 

 

23,729

Total

 

$

86,067

 

$

79,529

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

 

 

Casualty

 

 

87.6

 

 

87.1

Property

 

 

82.6

 

 

86.7

Surety

 

 

70.4

 

 

70.2

Total

 

 

83.4

 

 

84.3

 

Casualty

 

Gross premiums written for the casualty segment increased 8 percent, to $393.6 million for the first nine months of 2015, compared to $364.0 million for the first nine months of 2014. Growth in the segment was led by transportation, which increased 26 percent to $72.6 million. Transportation has benefited from a combination of increased opportunities to write new and returning business and improved pricing for most coverages. Rates for some transportation coverages have increased as much as 8 percent. Our P&C package business and professional services group also made significant contributions to overall growth, up 16 percent and 11 percent, respectively, as expansion efforts for these products continued. Other notable contributions included assumed premium from our quota share reinsurance treaty with Prime’s two insurance subsidiaries, up $2.3 million (30 percent), and umbrella, up $3.4 million (4 percent). Growth from these products offset moderate declines from our executive products group, which decreased $1.9 million (5 percent) due to ongoing competitive pressures in this market, and general liability, down 1 percent.

 

The casualty segment recorded underwriting income of $38.1 million in the first nine months of 2015, compared to $36.3 million for the same period last year. Underwriting results for both periods benefited from favorable development on prior years’ loss and catastrophe reserves. During the first nine months of 2015, we released reserves which improved the segment’s underwriting results by $40.1 million. Products with favorable development included general liability, umbrella, transportation, P&C package, executive products, professional services group and medical professional liability. From an accident year standpoint, the majority of the favorable development occurred on more recent accident years (2006-2014). Losses from 2015 storms were minimal, impacting results by $0.1 million. Comparatively, 2014 results included favorable development on prior accident years’ loss and catastrophe reserves, primarily for general liability, umbrella, P&C package, transportation, professional services and executive products, which improved the segment’s underwriting results by $40.5 million. Results for 2014 were also impacted by storm losses, primarily related to our P&C package business, which reduced underwriting income for the segment by $1.9 million.

 

Segment results for 2015 translated into a combined ratio of 87.6, compared to 87.1 in the prior year. The segment’s loss ratio was 52.1 in 2015, up slightly from 51.6 in the prior year, while the expense ratio was 35.5 in both periods.

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Property

 

Gross premiums written for the Group’s property segment totaled $165.6 million for the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of $50.9 million (23 percent) from the same period last year. The majority of this decline occurred during the second quarter and relates to our crop reinsurance business. In total, crop has declined $40.9 million (81 percent) through the first nine months of 2015. As noted in previous filings, we expect reduced premiums as our crop reinsurance share was reduced for 2015 and will expire at the end of the current crop year due to the acquisition of the cedant.

 

Increased competition and alternative capital continued to impact this segment, in particular for our excess and surplus property coverages. Soft pricing impacted premium production from our commercial property business, as our difference in conditions and fire products declined 11 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Our recreational vehicles program also posted decreased premium in the first nine months of 2015, down 15 percent from the prior year. The decline in this book was due to re-underwriting efforts initiated in the latter part of 2014 in response to heightened loss activity. As a result of these efforts, we have obtained double digit rate increases on retained business during the first nine months of 2015. Partially offsetting these declines was a modest increase in premiums from our other property reinsurance programs, which improved 6 percent.

 

Underwriting income for the segment was $22.2 million for the first nine months of 2015, compared to $19.5 million for the same period last year. Results for both periods reflect positive underwriting income for the current accident year and favorable development on prior years’ loss and catastrophe reserves. Underwriting results for 2015 include favorable development on prior years’ loss and catastrophe reserves, largely from marine, which improved the segment’s underwriting results by $5.0 million. This favorable development partially offset losses recorded on 2015 storms, which reduced the segment’s underwriting results by $8.7 million. Comparatively, underwriting results for 2014 included favorable development on prior years’ reserves of $0.8 million and $4.5 million in losses recorded on 2014 storms and the American Canyon Earthquake. From a current accident year standpoint, results for 2014 also included $2.3 million in losses related to an increase in the loss booking ratio for our recreational vehicle business.

 

Segment results for the first nine months of 2015 translated into a combined ratio of 82.6, compared to 86.7 for the same period last year. The segment’s loss ratio decreased to 40.8 in 2015 from 49.0 in 2014 due to the increased benefit in 2015 from favorable development on prior years’ reserves. In addition, the adjustment in 2014 to strengthen reserves on recreational vehicles business increased the loss ratio in the prior year. From an expense standpoint, the segment’s expense ratio for the first nine months of 2015 increased to 41.8, from 37.7 in the prior year. The increased expense ratio relates to shifts in product mix within the segment, in particular with regard to crop, which carried a very low acquisition expense rate, and the overall decline in premium.

 

Surety

 

The surety segment recorded gross premiums written of $93.8 million for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $4.9 million (6 percent) from the same period last year. Premium growth was achieved across the surety portfolio despite competitive conditions in this space, as new entrants and increased capacity continue to impact the market. Growth was led by miscellaneous surety, which increased $2.8 million (9 percent) for the year, while commercial surety also delivered solid results, up $1.7 million (8 percent). Gross premiums written from oil and gas surety and contract surety were also up modestly.

 

The surety segment recorded underwriting income of $25.7 million, compared to $23.7 million for the same period last year. Both periods reflected positive underwriting performance from a current accident year standpoint and benefited from favorable development on prior years’ loss reserves. Results for 2015 included favorable development on prior accident years’ loss reserves which improved the segment’s underwriting results by $8.9 million. Comparatively, 2014 results included favorable development on prior accident years’ loss reserves which improved the segment’s underwriting results by $11.3 million. This favorable development was partially offset by reinsurance reinstatement premium related to unfavorable development on prior years’ surety reserves which reduced underwriting income by $1.1 million.

 

The combined ratio for the surety segment totaled 70.4 for the first nine months of 2015, compared to 70.2 for the same period in 2014. The segment’s loss ratio was 8.0 for 2015, compared to 4.3 for 2014. The loss ratio increase was due largely to the lower benefit from favorable development on prior years’ reserves in 2015. The expense ratio improved to 62.4 in 2015, from 65.9 in 2014, due to shifts in mix during 2015 towards products with lower acquisition expenses and improved leveraging of our expense base. In addition, the above-mentioned reinstatement premium contributed to a higher expense ratio in 2014.

 

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INVESTMENT INCOME AND REALIZED CAPITAL GAINS

 

Our investment portfolio generated net investment income of $40.9 million during the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of 2.1 percent from that reported for the same period in 2014. The decrease in investment income was due to a lower yield environment during the first nine months of 2015. On an after-tax basis, investment income decreased by 2.1 percent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9/30/2015

 

12/31/2014

 

 

 

Financial

 

 

 

Financial

 

 

 

(in thousands)

    

Stmt Value

    

%

    

Stmt Value

    

%

 

Fixed income

 

$

1,532,304

 

76.6

%

$

1,495,087

 

76.1

%

Equity securities

 

 

369,047

 

18.5

%

 

410,642

 

20.9

%

Other invested assets

 

 

10,873

 

0.5

%

 

11,597

 

0.6

%

Cash and short-term investments

 

 

87,171

 

4.4

%

 

46,959

 

2.4

%

Total

 

$

1,999,395

 

100.0

%

$

1,964,285

 

100.0

%

 

Our current equity allocation represents 19 percent of our total investment portfolio.

 

We believe our overall asset allocation best meets our strategy to preserve capital for policyholders, provide sufficient income to support insurance operations, and to effectively grow book value over a long-term investment horizon.

 

Yields on our fixed income investments for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

2015

    

2014

 

Pretax Yield

 

 

 

 

 

Taxable

 

3.38

%  

3.61

Tax-Exempt

 

2.78

%

2.77

%

After-Tax Yield

 

 

 

 

 

Taxable

 

2.20

%

2.35

%

Tax-Exempt

 

2.63

%

2.62

%

 

The fixed income portfolio increased by $37.2 million in the first nine months of 2015. The increase is due to allocating the majority of cash flows to the fixed income portfolio. This portfolio had a tax-adjusted total return on a mark-to-market basis of 2.1 percent. Average fixed income duration was 5.0 years at September 30, 2015, reflecting our current liability structure and sound capital position.

 

The equity portfolio decreased by $41.6 million during the first nine months of 2015, to $369.0 million, and had a total return of -7.6 percent through September 30, 2015.

 

We recognized $25.6 million in realized gains in the first nine months of 2015, compared to realized gains of $22.6 million in the same period of 2014. The majority of realized gains were taken from the equity portfolio. We did not record any realized losses associated with OTTI of securities during the first nine months of 2015.

 

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The following table is used as part of our impairment analysis and illustrates certain industry-level measurements relative to our equity portfolio as of September 30, 2015, including fair value, cost basis and unrealized gains and losses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9/30/2015

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

(in thousands)

    

Basis

    

Fair Value

    

Gains

    

Losses

    

Net

    

Gain/Loss % (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer discretionary

 

$

11,984

 

$

24,946

 

$

13,151

 

$

(189)

 

$

12,962

 

108.2

%

Consumer staples

 

 

13,850

 

 

30,552

 

 

17,198

 

 

(496)

 

 

16,702

 

120.6

%

Energy

 

 

10,939

 

 

20,525

 

 

10,344

 

 

(758)

 

 

9,586

 

87.6

%

Financials

 

 

30,561

 

 

47,365

 

 

17,165

 

 

(361)

 

 

16,804

 

55.0

%

Healthcare

 

 

4,126

 

 

20,324

 

 

16,198

 

 

 —

 

 

16,198

 

392.6

%

Industrials

 

 

17,512

 

 

30,703

 

 

13,214

 

 

(23)

 

 

13,191

 

75.3

%

Information technology

 

 

15,729

 

 

27,411

 

 

11,682

 

 

 —

 

 

11,682

 

74.3

%

Materials

 

 

2,220

 

 

5,642

 

 

3,422

 

 

 —

 

 

3,422

 

154.1

%

Telecommunications

 

 

4,393

 

 

10,923

 

 

6,530

 

 

 —

 

 

6,530

 

148.6

%

Utilities

 

 

34,718

 

 

55,235

 

 

21,617

 

 

(1,100)

 

 

20,517

 

59.1

%

ETF

 

 

60,514

 

 

95,421

 

 

34,907

 

 

 —

 

 

34,907

 

57.7

%

 

 

$

206,546

 

$

369,047

 

$

165,428

 

$

(2,927)

 

$

162,501

 

78.7

%


(1) Calculated as the percentage of net unrealized gain (loss) to cost basis.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

Our effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2015 was 31.4 percent, compared to 31.5 percent for the same period in 2014. Effective rates are dependent upon components of pretax earnings and the related tax effects. The effective rates were consistent due to comparable amounts of tax-favored investment income relative to underwriting income.

 

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

 

Consolidated revenues, as displayed in the table that follows, totaled $200.9 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $197.7 million for the same period in 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three-Month Periods

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

    

2015

    

2014

Consolidated revenues (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$

179,448

 

$

177,747

Net investment income

 

 

13,964

 

 

14,200

Net realized investment gains

 

 

7,534

 

 

5,708

Total consolidated revenue

 

$

200,946

 

$

197,655

 

Consolidated revenue for the third quarter of 2015 increased $3.3 million, or 2 percent, from the same period in 2014. Net premiums earned for the Group increased 1 percent for the quarter, driven by growth from our casualty and surety segments, which were up 9 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Due to the current yield environment, net investment income decreased 2 percent to $14.0 million. Net realized investment gains totaled $7.5 million in the third quarter of 2015, compared to $5.7 million in 2014.

 

Net after-tax earnings for the third quarter of 2015 totaled $35.9 million, $0.81 per diluted share, compared to $33.3 million, $0.76 per diluted share, for the same period last year. Results for both periods reflected positive underwriting results for the current accident year and benefited from favorable development on prior years’ loss and catastrophe reserves. Both periods were also largely benign with respect to catastrophe losses, as storm losses totaled $2.9 million in 2015 compared to a negligible effect in the prior year. In the third quarter of 2015, favorable development on prior years’ loss and catastrophe reserves resulted in additional pretax earnings of $18.6 million. Comparatively, in the third quarter of 2014 favorable development on prior years’ loss and catastrophe reserves resulted in additional pretax earnings of $18.0 million. Bonus and profit sharing-related expenses associated with the above mentioned prior year reserve development and catastrophe losses totaled $2.4 million in 2015, compared to $2.8 million in 2014.

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During the third quarter of 2015, equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees totaled $0.7 million. This amount includes $0.5 million from Maui Jim and $0.2 million from Prime. Comparatively, the third quarter of 2014 reflected $2.9 million of earnings, including $2.8 million from Maui Jim and $0.1 million from Prime. The decrease in Maui Jim earnings is largely attributable to a loss on the sale of an asset and unfavorable foreign exchange results. Refer to Note 7, Acquisitions, for more information regarding our recent investments in Prime.

 

Comprehensive earnings, which include net earnings plus other comprehensive earnings (primarily the change in unrealized gains/losses net of tax), totaled $19.8 million, $0.45 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $20.9 million, $0.48 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2014. Unrealized losses, net of tax, for the third quarter of 2015 were $16.1 million, compared to unrealized losses of $12.4 million for the same period in 2014. Unrealized losses in the third quarter of 2015 were primarily due to a decline in the equity portfolio. 

 

RLI INSURANCE GROUP

 

As reflected in the table below, gross premiums written for the Group increased 3 percent to $214.3 million for the third quarter of 2015. Growth achieved from our casualty and surety segments, up 8 percent and 5 percent, respectively, offset a 7 percent decline from our property segment. The decreased top line for property continues to be largely driven by reduced premiums from our assumed crop business and intensely competitive market conditions for excess and surplus property coverages. While most crop premium is recorded in the second quarter, there is a residual amount of premium which impacts third quarter results. From a pricing standpoint, most coverages experienced low to mid-single digit changes during the quarter. More significant movement related to recreational vehicles and transportation, where positive pricing changes approached double-digit levels, and for catastrophe exposed coverages, which declined 15 percent during the quarter. Net premiums written increased 5 percent in the quarter, outpacing results on a gross written basis due largely to cost savings realized during our 2015 reinsurance renewals. On a net premiums earned basis, premiums increased $1.7 million, or 1 percent. Excluding the impact of crop, net premiums earned increased 5 percent. This growth is attributable to our casualty and surety segments, where net premiums earned were up 9 percent and 8 percent, respectively, from the prior year. Underwriting income for the Group totaled $33.6 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $30.4 million in 2014. Both periods reflect positive underwriting results for the current accident year and favorable reserve development on prior accident years. Favorable development on prior years’ loss and catastrophe reserves improved net underwriting results by $15.8 million in 2015, compared to $15.3 million in 2014. The GAAP combined ratio totaled 81.3 in 2015, compared to 82.9 in 2014. The loss ratio decreased to 40.7 from 42.8, while the Group’s expense ratio increased slightly to 40.6 from 40.1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three-Month Periods

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

    

2015

    

2014

Gross premiums written (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty

 

$

128,804

 

$

119,789

Property

 

 

52,697

 

 

56,611

Surety

 

 

32,840

 

 

31,422

Total

 

$

214,341

 

$

207,822

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting income (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

Casualty

 

$

13,651

 

$

13,786

Property

 

 

9,216

 

 

7,498

Surety

 

 

10,726

 

 

9,144

Total

 

$

33,593

 

$

30,428

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

 

 

Casualty

 

 

87.0

 

 

85.6

Property

 

 

79.4

 

 

86.1

Surety

 

 

63.8

 

 

66.7

Total

 

 

81.3

 

 

82.9

 

Casualty

 

Gross premiums written for the casualty segment increased 8 percent to $128.8 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $119.8 million for the third quarter of 2014. Most products within the segment posted top line growth, as expansion efforts,

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newer product initiatives and improved pricing on certain coverages all contributed to the increased premium production. Growth was led by transportation, which again delivered excellent results in the quarter with premiums up 43 percent to $24.2 million. Transportation has continued to capitalize on increased opportunities to write new and returning business, as well as improved pricing trends for all transportation coverages. Premium growth was also notable from our P&C package business, up $1.4 million (13 percent), and our medical professional liability business, which advanced 21 percent. Assumed premium from our quota share reinsurance treaty with Prime’s two insurance subsidiaries improved as well, up $0.6 million (24 percent) in the quarter. Growth from these products more than offset declines from general liability and our executive products business, which decreased 9 percent and 4 percent, respectively, due to increased competition and declining rates for these coverages.

 

The casualty segment recorded underwriting income of $13.7 million in the third quarter of 2015, compared to $13.8 million for the same period last year. Results for both periods reflected positive underwriting performance from a current accident year standpoint and include favorable development on prior years’ loss reserves. During the third quarter of 2015, we released reserves which improved the segment’s underwriting results by $11.5 million. Products with favorable development included general liability, umbrella, P&C package and executive products, while professional services was unfavorable. From an accident year standpoint, the majority of the favorable development occurred on more recent accident years (2009-2012 and 2014). Comparatively, 2014 results included favorable development on prior accident years’ loss reserves, primarily for general liability, umbrella, P&C package and transportation, which improved the segment’s underwriting results by $11.2 million.

 

Overall, the combined ratio for the casualty segment was 87.0 for 2015, compared to 85.6 in 2014. The segment’s loss ratio was 51.6 in 2015, compared to 49.7 in 2014. The loss ratio increase was due, in part, to a slight increase in 2015 to the current accident year loss ratio. The expense ratio for the casualty segment was 35.4 for the third quarter of 2015, compared to 35.9 for the same period in 2014.

 

Property

 

Gross premiums written for the Group’s property segment totaled $52.7 million for the third quarter of 2015, a $3.9 million (7 percent) decrease from the same period last year, due in part to our exit from the crop reinsurance business. While the vast majority of the premium impact from crop occurred in the second quarter, there is a residual amount of premium which impacts third quarter results. Gross written premiums from crop in the third quarter of 2015 totaled $1.4 million, compared to $3.1 million in the third quarter of 2014. As noted in previous filings, we expect reduced premiums as our crop reinsurance share was reduced for 2015 and will expire at the end of the current crop year due to the acquisition of the cedant.

 

In addition to the impact from crop, premiums for the segment continue to be pressured by increased competition and alternative capital, which have caused excess and surplus property rates to decline. Premiums from our commercial property business have declined as a result, with our difference in conditions and fire products down $0.7 million (7 percent) and $0.9 million (5 percent), respectively. Our recreational vehicles program posted a 13 percent decline from the same period last year, due to re-underwriting efforts initiated in the latter part of 2014 in response to heightened loss activity. In conjunction with the loss activity identified in the prior year, $2.3 million in losses were recorded in the third quarter of 2014, related to an increase in the loss booking ratio for this business. While premiums are down during 2015, double digit rate increases on retained business have been achieved as a result of these efforts. Partially offsetting these decreases, gross written premiums from our other property reinsurance programs increased 14 percent and Hawaii homeowners improved 2 percent.

 

Underwriting income for the segment was $9.2 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $7.5 million for the same period last year. Results for both periods reflect positive underwriting income for the current accident year and favorable development on prior years’ loss and catastrophe reserves. From a current accident year standpoint, results for 2015 reflect improved performance over the prior year, in particular for marine. In addition, current accident year results for 2014 included $2.3 million in recreational vehicle losses, as mentioned above. The net impact to underwriting results from favorable development on prior years’ loss and catastrophe reserves was $1.2 million in 2015, compared to $0.1 million in 2014.  Unfavorable development on 2015 winter storms impacted underwriting results in the third quarter of 2015 by $2.5 million, while storm losses had a negligible effect in the prior year.

 

Segment results for the third quarter of 2015 translated into a combined ratio of 79.4, compared to 86.1 for the same period last year. The segment’s loss ratio decreased to 40.0 in 2015 from 51.6 in 2014 due to improved current accident year loss ratio results. In addition, the adjustment recorded on recreational vehicles in the prior year increased the 2014 current accident year loss ratio by over 4 points. From an expense standpoint, the segment’s expense ratio for the third quarter was 39.4 for 2015, compared to 34.5 in 2014. The increased expense ratio relates primarily to shifts in product mix, in particular with regard to crop, which carried a very low acquisition expense rate, and the overall decline in premium.

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Surety

 

The surety segment recorded gross premiums written of $32.8 million for the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $1.4 million, or 5 percent, from the same period last year. All products within the segment achieved premium growth in the quarter, despite competitive conditions driven by new entrants and increased capacity in the market. Growth was led by miscellaneous surety, which increased $0.7 million (6 percent), while commercial, oil and gas and contract surety also produced solid results, each up 4 percent.

 

The surety segment recorded underwriting income of $10.7 million, compared to $9.1 million for the same period last year. Both periods reflected positive underwriting performance from a current accident year standpoint and benefited from favorable development on prior years’ loss reserves. Results for 2015 included favorable development on prior accident years’ loss reserves which improved the segment’s underwriting results by $3.5 million. Comparatively, 2014 results included favorable development on prior accident years’ loss reserves which improved the segment’s underwriting results by $4.3 million. All products within the segment experienced favorable development for each of these periods.

 

The combined ratio for the surety segment totaled 63.8 for the third quarter of 2015, compared to 66.7 for the same period in 2014. The segment’s loss ratio was 3.1 for 2015, compared to 0.9 for 2014. The loss ratio increase was due to the lower benefit from favorable development on prior years’ reserves in 2015. The expense ratio improved to 60.7 for the third quarter of 2015, from 65.8 in the third quarter of 2014, due to shifts in mix towards products with lower acquisition expenses and improved leveraging of our expense base.

 

INVESTMENT INCOME AND REALIZED CAPITAL GAINS

 

Our investment portfolio generated net investment income of $14.0 million during the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of 1.7 percent from that reported for the same period in 2014. The decrease in investment income was due to the current lower yield environment. On an after-tax basis, investment income decreased by 1.3 percent.

 

 

Our current equity allocation represents 19 percent of our total investment portfolio.

 

We believe our overall asset allocation best meets our strategy to preserve capital for policyholders, provide sufficient income to support insurance operations, and to effectively grow book value over a long-term investment horizon.

 

Yields on our fixed income investments for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

3Q 2015

    

3Q 2014

 

Pretax Yield

 

 

 

 

 

Taxable

 

3.35

%

3.48

%

Tax-Exempt

 

2.76

%

2.81

%

After-Tax Yield

 

 

 

 

 

Taxable

 

2.18

%

2.26

%

Tax-Exempt

 

2.61

%

2.66

%

 

We recognized $7.5 million in realized gains in the third quarter of 2015, compared to realized gains of $5.7 million in the same period of 2014. Realized gains were primarily taken from the equity portfolio. We did not record any realized losses associated with OTTI of securities during the third quarter of 2015.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

Our effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2015 was 30.9 percent, compared to 31.6 percent for the same period in 2014. Effective rates are dependent upon components of pretax earnings and the related tax effects. The effective rate for the third quarter of 2015 was slightly lower due to a combination of minor tax adjustments.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

We have three primary types of cash flows: (1) cash flows from operating activities, which consist mainly of cash generated by our underwriting operations and income earned on our investment portfolio, (2) cash flows from investing activities related to

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the purchase, sale and maturity of investments, and (3) cash flows from financing activities that impact our capital structure, such as shareholder dividend payments and changes in debt and shares outstanding.

 

The following table summarizes cash flows provided by (used in) our activities for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

2015

    

2014

 

 

(in thousands)

Operating cash flows

 

$

121,367

 

$

85,894

Investing cash flows

 

$

(106,859)

 

$

(29,607)

Financing cash flows

 

$

(16,940)

 

$

(18,719)

Total

 

$

(2,432)

 

$

37,568

 

Operating activities generated positive cash flows of $121.4 million in the first nine months of 2015, compared to $85.9 million in the same period last year. The increase in operating cash flows was due largely to reduced levels of paid losses relative to the prior year.

 

We have $149.7 million in debt outstanding. On October 2, 2013, we completed a public debt offering, issuing $150.0 million in senior notes maturing September 15, 2023 (a 10-year maturity), and paying interest semi-annually at the rate of 4.875 percent per annum. The notes were issued at a discount resulting in proceeds, net of discount and commission, of $148.6 million. The estimated fair value for the senior note at September 30, 2015 was $158.2 million. The fair value of our debt is estimated based on the limited observable prices that reflect thinly traded securities.

 

As of September 30, 2015, we had cash, short-term investments and other investments maturing within one year of approximately $99.6 million and an additional $320.0 million maturing between one to five years. As of September 30, 2015, our short-term investments were held primarily in government/agency funds. All funds are NAIC-rated, AAA-rated and maintain average weighted maturities of less than 60 days. Holdings within each of these funds comply with regulatory limitations.

 

Whereas our strategy is to be fully invested at all times, short-term investments in excess of demand deposit balances are considered a component of investment activities, and thus are classified as investments in our consolidated balance sheets.

 

We also maintain a revolving line of credit with JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A., which permits us to borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $40.0 million. This facility was entered into during the second quarter of 2014 and replaced the previous $25.0 million facility which expired on May 31, 2014. Under certain conditions, the line may be increased up to an aggregate principal amount of $65.0 million. The facility has a four-year term that expires on May 28, 2018. As of and during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, no amounts were outstanding on this facility.

 

Additionally, during the third quarter of 2014, two of our insurance companies, RLI Ins. and Mt. Hawley, became members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBC). Membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank System will provide both companies access to an additional source of liquidity via a secured lending facility. Our membership allows each insurance subsidiary to determine tenor and structure at the time of borrowing. As of and during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, there were no outstanding borrowing amounts with FHLBC.

 

We believe that cash generated by operations, by investments and by cash available from financing activities will provide sufficient sources of liquidity to meet our anticipated needs over the next 12 to 24 months.

 

We have not had any liquidity issues affecting our operations as we have sufficient cash flow to support operations. In addition to our bank credit facility and FHLBC membership, our highly liquid investment portfolio provides an additional source of liquidity.

 

We maintain a diversified investment portfolio representing policyholder funds that have not yet been paid out as claims, as well as the capital we hold for our shareholders. As of September 30, 2015, our investment portfolio had a balance sheet value of $2.0 billion. Invested assets at September 30, 2015, have increased $35.1 million from December 31, 2014.

 

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As of September 30, 2015, our investment portfolio had the following asset allocation breakdown:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Allocation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost or

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

% of Total

 

 

Asset class

    

Amortized Cost

    

Value

    

Gain/(Loss)

    

Fair Value

    

Quality*

U.S. agency

 

$

13,455

 

$

13,867

 

$

412

 

0.7

%

AA+

Corporate

 

 

599,808

 

 

602,023

 

 

2,215

 

30.1

%

BBB+

Agency MBS

 

 

253,499

 

 

261,272

 

 

7,773

 

13.1

%

AA+

ABS/CMBS**

 

 

83,203

 

 

84,809

 

 

1,606

 

4.2

%

AAA

Non-U.S. govt. & agency

 

 

5,042

 

 

4,664

 

 

(378)

 

0.2

%

BBB+

U.S. government

 

 

32,708

 

 

33,036

 

 

328

 

1.7

%

AAA

Municipal

 

 

516,618

 

 

532,633

 

 

16,015

 

26.6

%

AA

Total Fixed Income

 

$

1,504,333

 

$

1,532,304

 

$

27,971

 

76.6

%

AA-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

$

206,546

 

$

369,047

 

$

162,501

 

18.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Invested Assets

 

$

10,873

 

$

10,873

 

$

 —

 

0.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Short-Term Investments

 

$

87,171

 

$

87,171

 

$

 —

 

4.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Portfolio

 

$

1,808,923

 

$

1,999,395

 

$

190,472

 

100.0

%

 


*Quality ratings provided by Moody’s and S&P

**Asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

Our investment portfolio does not have any exposure to derivatives.

 

As of September 30, 2015, our fixed income portfolio had the following rating distribution:

 

 

 

 

 

AAA

    

18.6

%

AA

 

41.6

%

A

 

21.7

%

BBB

 

11.5

%

BB

 

3.4

%

B

 

2.9

%

CCC

 

0.0

%

NR

 

0.3

%

Total

 

100.0

%

 

As of September 30, 2015, the duration of the fixed income portfolio was 5.0 years. Our fixed income portfolio remained well diversified, with 1,051 individual issues as of September 30, 2015.

 

Our investment portfolio has limited exposure to structured asset-backed securities (ABS). As of September 30, 2015, we had $44.1 million in ABS which are pools of assets collateralized by cash flows from several types of loans, including home equity, credit cards, autos and similar obligations. The majority of our asset-backed portfolio is comprised of rate reduction utility bonds.

 

As of September 30, 2015, we had $40.7 million in commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) and $261.3 million in residential mortgage backed securities backed by government sponsored enterprises (GSEs - Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mae). Excluding the GSE backed MBS, our exposure to ABS and CMBS was 4.2 percent of our investment portfolio at quarter end.

 

We had $602.0 million in corporate fixed income securities as of September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, we had $69.6 million invested in a high yield credit strategy. This portfolio consists of floating rate bank loans and bonds that are below investment grade in credit quality and offer incremental yield over our core fixed income portfolio.

 

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We also maintain an allocation to municipal fixed income securities. As of September 30, 2015, we had $532.6 million in municipal securities. As of September 30, 2015, approximately 92 percent of our municipal bond portfolio maintains an ‘AA’ or better rating, while 99 percent of the municipal bond portfolio is rated ‘A’ or better.

 

At September 30, 2015, our equity portfolio had a fair value of $369.0 million and is also a source of liquidity. The securities within the equity portfolio remain primarily invested in large-cap issues with strong dividend performance. In the equity portfolio, the strategy remains one of value investing, with security selection taking precedence over market timing. We use a buy-and-hold strategy, minimizing both transactional costs and taxes.

 

As of September 30, 2015, our equity portfolio had a dividend yield of 3.0 percent, compared to 2.2 percent for the S&P 500 index. Because of the corporate dividend-received-deduction applicable to our dividend income, we pay an effective tax rate of 14.2 percent on dividends, compared to 35.0 percent on taxable interest and 5.3 percent on municipal bond interest income. The equity portfolio is managed in a diversified and granular manner, with 82 individual names and no single stock exposure greater than 2 percent of the equity portfolio.

 

Other invested assets include an investment in a low income housing tax credit partnership as well as membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank Chicago. Our interest in a low income housing tax credit partnership had a balance of $9.3 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $9.8 million at December 31, 2014 and recognized a total tax benefit of $0.3 million during the third quarter of 2015 and $0.8 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015. Our investment in FHLBC stock totaled $1.6 million at September 30, 2015 and $1.8 million at December 31, 2014.

 

Our capital structure is comprised of equity and debt outstanding. As of September 30, 2015, our capital structure consisted of $149.7 million in 10-year maturity senior notes maturing in 2023 (debt) and $883.2 million of shareholders’ equity. Debt outstanding comprised 14.5 percent of total capital as of September 30, 2015. Interest and fees on debt obligations totaled $5.6 million during the first nine months of 2015, the same amount as the previous year. We have incurred interest expense on debt at an average interest rate of 4.91 percent for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

We paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 per share on September 18, 2015, the same amount as the prior quarter. We have paid dividends for 157 consecutive quarters and increased dividends in each of the last 40 years.

 

Our insurance subsidiaries are organized in a vertical structure with RLI Ins. as the first-level, or principal, insurance subsidiary of RLI Corp. At the holding company (RLI Corp.) level, we rely largely on dividends from our insurance company subsidiaries to meet our obligations for paying principal and interest on outstanding debt, corporate expenses and dividends to RLI Corp. shareholders. As discussed further below, dividend payments to RLI Corp. from our principal insurance subsidiary are restricted by state insurance laws as to the amount that may be paid without prior approval of the insurance regulatory authorities of Illinois. As a result, we may not be able to receive dividends from such subsidiary at times and in amounts necessary to pay desired dividends to RLI Corp. shareholders. On a GAAP basis, as of September 30, 2015, our holding company had $883.2 million in equity. This includes amounts related to the equity of our insurance subsidiaries, which is subject to regulatory restrictions under state insurance laws. The unrestricted portion of holding company net assets is comprised primarily of investments and cash, including $56.1 million in liquid assets, which approximates annual holding company expenditures. Unrestricted funds at the holding company are available to fund debt interest, general corporate obligations and dividend payments to our shareholders. If necessary, the holding company also has other potential sources of liquidity that could provide for additional funding to meet corporate obligations or pay shareholder dividends, which include a revolving line of credit, as well as issuances of common stock and debt.

 

Ordinary dividends, which may be paid by our principal insurance subsidiary without prior regulatory approval, are subject to certain limitations based upon statutory income, surplus and earned surplus. The maximum ordinary dividend distribution from our principal insurance subsidiary in a rolling 12-month period is limited by Illinois law to the greater of 10 percent of RLI Ins. policyholder surplus, as of December 31 of the preceding year, or the net income of RLI Ins. for the 12-month period ending December 31 of the preceding year. Ordinary dividends are further restricted by the requirement that they be paid from earned surplus. Any dividend distribution in excess of the ordinary dividend limits is deemed extraordinary and requires prior approval from the Illinois Department of Insurance. In the first nine months of 2015, RLI Ins. paid a total of $35.0 million in ordinary dividends to RLI Corp. In 2014, our principal insurance subsidiary paid ordinary dividends totaling $185.0 million to RLI Corp. No extraordinary dividends were paid during 2014. As of September 30, 2015, $68.4 million of the net assets of our principal insurance subsidiary are not restricted and could be distributed to RLI Corp. as ordinary dividends. Because the limitations are based upon a rolling 12-month period, the presence, amount and impact of these restrictions vary over time.

 

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ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Market risk is the risk of economic losses due to adverse changes in the estimated fair value of a financial instrument as the result of changes in equity prices, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. Historically, our primary market risks have been equity price risk associated with investments in equity securities and interest rate risk associated with investments in fixed maturities. We have limited exposure to both foreign currency risk and commodity risk.

 

Credit risk is the potential loss resulting from adverse changes in an issuer’s ability to repay its debt obligations. We monitor our portfolio to ensure that credit risk does not exceed prudent levels. We have consistently invested in high credit quality, investment grade securities. Our fixed maturity portfolio has an average rating of “AA-,” with 82 percent rated “A” or better by at least two nationally recognized rating organizations.

 

On an overall basis, our exposure to market risk has not significantly changed from that reported in our December 31, 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain a system of controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of the financial statements and other disclosures included in this report, as well as to safeguard assets from unauthorized use or disposition. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures was performed, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective, as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurances of achieving the desired control objective, and management necessarily is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. We believe that our disclosure controls and procedures provide such reasonable assurance.

 

No changes were made to our internal control over financial reporting during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings – There were no material changes to report.

 

 

Item 1A.  

Risk Factors - There were no material changes to report.

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds  -

 

Items 2(a) and (b) are not applicable.

 

Our current $100 million share repurchase program was implemented by our Board of Directors in May 2010. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. During the first nine months of 2015, no repurchases were made. We have not repurchased shares under this program since the third quarter of 2011. We have $87.5 million of remaining capacity from the repurchase program.

 

 

 

Item 3.  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities - Not Applicable.

 

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures - Not Applicable.

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information - Not Applicable.

 

 

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Item 6.  

Exhibits

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.1 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

Exhibit 101 XBRL-Related Documents

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

RLI Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Thomas L. Brown

 

Thomas L. Brown

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

(Principal Financial and Chief Accounting Officer)

 

 

Date: October  23, 2015

 

 

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