HMN Horace Mann Educators Corporation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., July 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Horace Mann Educators Corporation (NYSE:HMN) today reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012:

"Operating income was 16 cents per share for the second quarter, a 55 cent improvement compared to the prior year's net loss, reflecting improved earnings across all of our operating segments.  While less severe than last year, this quarter's catastrophe losses of $29.2 million pretax, or 46 cents per share after tax, related to 13 events, had a significant adverse impact on current period earnings.  Despite the continuing weather challenges, net income over the last 12 months coupled with a higher level of unrealized investment gains produced book value per share of $29.06 as of June 30, 2012, an increase of 29% compared to a year ago," said Peter H. Heckman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "And in terms of growing the business, we are pleased with the sales momentum that has been generated over the last 3+ quarters -- across all of our product lines -- as well as the improving trends in property and casualty retention ratios and policies in force."

Property and Casualty Segment

The property and casualty segment recorded a net loss of $4.1 million for the quarter compared to a net loss of $25.6 million for the same period in 2011.  As described above, catastrophe losses were the primary factor for the net losses in both periods.  The total property and casualty combined ratio of 112.8% was 21.9 percentage points lower than the second quarter of 2011.  Pretax catastrophe losses in the current quarter of $29.2 million decreased $25.8 million compared to a year ago.  Favorable prior years' reserve development totaling $4.5 million was recorded in the second quarter, compared to $1.0 million of favorable development recorded in the second quarter of 2011.  The underlying property and casualty combined ratio of 94.6% decreased 0.5 percentage points compared to the prior year quarter, as favorable current accident year property results excluding catastrophes offset an increase in the underlying auto combined ratio.  Florida sinkhole losses incurred in the current quarter were zero compared to $1.9 million, excluding claim settlement expenses, recorded in the second quarter of 2011.

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, property and casualty segment net income of $9.1 million improved $22.3 million compared to the same period in 2011, primarily as a result of the lower level of catastrophe losses.  Reflecting the factors described above, the year to date underlying combined ratio of 94.0% increased 0.9 percentage points compared to the prior year.

Total property and casualty premiums written of $139.4 million and $267.1 million were comparable to the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, with increases in average property and auto premiums per policy largely offset by reduced levels of policies in force for both lines.

For the current quarter, true new auto sales units -- units associated with new Horace Mann auto policyholders -- increased 32% compared to the prior year and contributed to a six-month growth rate of 35%.  Total new auto units, tempered by a modest increase in additional vehicles added to existing policies, increased 16% and 18% compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.  In addition, property new sales units increased 23% and 18% compared to the second quarter and first half of 2011, respectively.

Annuity Segment

Annuity segment net income was $7.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012, increasing $0.5 million compared to the same period in 2011 and $3.7 million compared to the first half of 2011.  The interest margin earned on fixed annuity assets increased 16% compared to the first half of 2011, with year-to-date net interest spreads reaching 2.11%, up 8 basis points compared to the first half of 2011.  Largely driven by financial market performance, the evaluation of deferred policy acquisition costs in the quarter had a $1.8 million pretax negative impact on annuity segment earnings compared to a $0.8 million negative impact in the prior year.  The respective evaluations had a positive impact of less than $1 million pretax in each of the year-to-date periods.  Total accumulated account value of $4.5 billion increased 7% compared to June 30, 2011, and total cash value persistency of 94.7% improved approximately 1 percentage point compared to a year earlier.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, annuity deposits received of $96.4 million and $188.4 million were comparable to the respective prior year periods, reflecting increases in single deposit and rollover receipts offset by decreases in scheduled, flexible premium annuity deposit receipts of 6% and 5% compared to the respective periods in 2011.

Total annuity sales increased 15% and 12% compared to last year's second quarter and first half, respectively, building on the positive, record-level new business results produced in each of the last three years. 

Life Segment

Life segment net income of $6.1 million for the second quarter increased $0.2 million compared to the same period in 2011.  Compared to the first half of 2011, life segment net income increased $1.2 million, primarily due to lower mortality costs in the current period.  Life persistency remained strong at 95%.

Life segment insurance premiums and contract deposits of $24.4 million and $47.5 million increased slightly compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

Total new life sales growth continued to be strong compared to the prior year second quarter and first half, including growth of 49% and 37%, respectively, in sales of Horace Mann-manufactured products -- consistent with the company's strategic intent to significantly increase its underwritten, mortality-based business.

Investment Results

In 2012, total net investment income increased 6% and 7% compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.  Pretax net realized investment gains were $9.9 million in the second quarter of 2012 and included no impairment write-downs on securities.

Horace Mann's net unrealized investment gains on fixed maturity and equity securities of $548.7 million at June 30, 2012 increased 18.7% compared to the $462.1 million net unrealized gain at March 31, 2012.  Net unrealized gains were $441.1 million at December 31, 2011 and $256.7 million at June 30, 2011.

Capital Management

During the second quarter of 2012, the company repurchased 504,937 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $8.6 million, or an average price per share of $17.05, under its $50 million share repurchase program.  As of June 30, 2012, the program had a remaining authorization of $36.0 million.  There were 39,357,609 shares outstanding on June 30, 2012.

Webcast Conference Call

Horace Mann's senior management will discuss the company's second quarter performance with investors and analysts on July 26, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.  The conference call will be webcast live on the Internet at www.horacemann.com and archived later in the day for replay, which will be available for one month.

Horace Mann -- the largest national multiline insurance company focusing on educators' financial needs -- provides auto and homeowners insurance, retirement annuities, life insurance and other financial solutions.  Founded by Educators for Educators^® in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Ill.  For more information, visit www.horacemann.com.

Statements included in this news release that are not historical in nature are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties.  Horace Mann is not under any obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Please refer to the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2012 and the company's past and future filings and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information concerning the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.  The information contained in this press release includes financial measures which are based on methodologies other than United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").  Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the closest GAAP measures are contained in the supplemental numerical pages of this release and additional descriptions of the non-GAAP measures are contained in the Glossary of Selected Terms included as an exhibit to the company's SEC filings.