WTM White Moutains Insurance Group Ltd

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM) reported book value per share of $1,722 and adjusted book value per share of $1,777 as of June 30, 2024.  Book value per share and adjusted book value per share both decreased 1% in the second quarter of 2024 and increased 4% in the first six months of 2024, including dividends. 

Manning Rountree, CEO, commented, "ABVPS was down 1% in the quarter, due primarily to our investment in MediaAlpha.  Excluding MediaAlpha, ABVPS was up 2%, driven by solid results at our operating companies and good investment returns.  Ark produced an 89% combined ratio and $697 million of gross written premiums in the quarter, up 15% year-over-year.  BAM generated $28 million of total gross written premiums and member surplus contributions in the quarter, up 7% year-over-year due to strong primary market volume. At Kudu, trailing 12 months adjusted EBITDA increased, while the value of the continuing portfolio grew 7%.  Bamboo had another strong quarter, once again tripling managed premiums year-over-year and growing adjusted EBITDA.  MediaAlpha's share price declined 35% in the quarter, producing a $139 million loss.  Excluding MediaAlpha, investment returns were good on an absolute and relative basis.  Undeployed capital now stands at roughly $650 million." 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders was $(55) million and $182 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $21 million and $201 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  Results in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 included $(139) million and $72 million of net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) from White Mountains's investment in MediaAlpha compared to $(77) million and $8 million of unrealized investment gains (losses) in the second quarter and first six months of 2023. 

Ark/WM Outrigger

The Ark/WM Outrigger segment's combined ratio was 87% and 89% in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to 87% and 89% in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  Ark/WM Outrigger reported gross written premiums of $697 million and $1,569 million, net written premiums of $503 million and $1,101 million and net earned premiums of $318 million and $621 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to gross written premiums of $606 million and $1,416 million, net written premiums of $461 million and $1,075 million and net earned premiums of $293 million and $548 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023. 

Ark's combined ratio was 89% and 91% in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to 89% and 91% in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  Ark's combined ratio in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 included minimal catastrophe losses compared to five points and three points of catastrophe losses in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  Non-catastrophe losses in the second quarter of 2024 included $19 million related to a political risk claim, $14 million related to tornado damage in Oklahoma and $13 million related to two satellite losses, all on a net basis.  Ark's combined ratio in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 included two points and one point of net favorable prior year development, primarily due to property lines of business, compared to four points of net unfavorable prior year development in both the second quarter and first six months of 2023, primarily due to Winter Storm Elliott and three large claims in the property and marine & energy lines of business. 

Ark reported gross written premiums of $697 million and $1,569 million, net written premiums of $464 million and $1,028 million and net earned premiums of $311 million and $603 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to gross written premiums of $606 million and $1,416 million, net written premiums of $403 million and $973 million and net earned premiums of $284 million and $534 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023. 

Ark reported pre-tax income of $50 million and $83 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $42 million and $78 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  Ark's results included net realized and unrealized investment gains of $20 million and $31 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $18 million and $43 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.

Ian Beaton, CEO of Ark, said, "We are off to a good start through the first half of 2024.  Ark's combined ratio was 89% for the second quarter and 91% year to date, both in line with prior year.  Gross written premiums were up 15% over prior year in the quarter.  Risk adjusted rate change was flat overall.  We are seeing good growth in select lines of business, including Marine & Energy and Accident & Health, and in new product classes."

WM Outrigger Re's combined ratio was 27% and 30% in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to 25% and 24% in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  Catastrophe losses were minimal in all periods.  WM Outrigger Re reported gross and net written premiums of $39 million and $73 million and net earned premiums of $8 million and $18 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to gross and net written premiums of $58 million and $102 million and net earned premiums of $10 million and $15 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  Gross and net written premiums decreased due to White Mountains's lower capital commitment to WM Outrigger Re in 2024.  WM Outrigger Re reported pre-tax income of $8 million and $18 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $10 million and $16 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.

HG Global/BAM

BAM's gross written premiums and member surplus contributions (MSC) collected were $28 million and $50 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $26 million and $47 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  BAM insured municipal bonds with par value of $5.3 billion and $8.8 billion in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $3.4 billion and $6.3 billion in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  Total pricing was 54 and 57 basis points in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to 77 and 75 basis points in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  BAM's total claims paying resources were $1,525 million as of June 30, 2024 compared to $1,501 million as of December 31, 2023 and $1,451 million as of June 30, 2023.  On May 29, 2024, S&P Global Ratings affirmed BAM's AA rating and Stable outlook.

Seán McCarthy, CEO of BAM, said, "BAM had a solid quarter and first half.  Primary market par insured totaled $7.9 billion for the first half, up 55% from 2023 and a record result.  This included 18 transactions of $100 million or more, reflecting strong demand from retail and institutional buyers in the primary market.  Total pricing decreased year-over-year, in part because of the volume of large, higher-credit issuance.  Secondary market activity was up 20% year-over-year in the quarter, as heightened interest rate volatility created opportunities."

HG Global reported pre-tax income of $11 million and $17 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $7 million and $24 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  HG Global's results included net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) of $(2) million and $(9) million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $(6) million and $2 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023, driven by the movement of interest rates.

White Mountains reported pre-tax loss related to BAM of $19 million and $40 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $20 million and $29 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  BAM's results included net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) of $(2) million and $(5) million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $(4) million and $5 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023, driven by the movement of interest rates.

BAM is a mutual insurance company that is owned by its members.  BAM's results are consolidated into White Mountains's GAAP financial statements and attributed to noncontrolling interests. 

Kudu

Kudu reported total revenues of $70 million, pre-tax income of $61 million and adjusted EBITDA of $12 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to total revenues of $19 million, pre-tax income of $10 million and adjusted EBITDA of $12 million in the second quarter of 2023.  Total revenues, pre-tax income and adjusted EBITDA included $16 million of net investment income in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $15 million in the second quarter of 2023.  Total revenues and pre-tax income also included $55 million of net realized and unrealized investment gains in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $5 million in the second quarter of 2023.

Kudu reported total revenues of $81 million, pre-tax income of $63 million and adjusted EBITDA of $26 million in the first six months of 2024 compared to total revenues of $63 million, pre-tax income of $45 million and adjusted EBITDA of $23 million in the first six months of 2023.  Total revenues, pre-tax income and adjusted EBITDA included $33 million of net investment income in the first six months of 2024 compared to $29 million in the first six months of 2023.  Total revenues and pre-tax income also included $48 million of net realized and unrealized investment gains in the first six months of 2024 compared to $34 million in the first six months of 2023.

Rob Jakacki, CEO of Kudu, said, "We had a good quarter.  Trailing 12 months adjusted EBITDA increased to $60 million, while the fair value of our continuing portfolio grew 7%.  Kudu's portfolio continues to perform well, and we have robust dry powder and deployment opportunities heading into the second half of 2024."

Bamboo

Bamboo reported commission and fee revenues of $33 million and $55 million and pre-tax income of $6 million and $7 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2024.  Bamboo reported MGA pre-tax income of $6 million and $7 million and MGA adjusted EBITDA of $12 million and $18 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2024. 

Managed premiums, which represent the total premiums placed by Bamboo, were $120 million and $209 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $41 million and $69 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  The increase in managed premiums was driven primarily by growth in new business volume as well as a growing renewal book.

John Chu, CEO of Bamboo, said, "Bamboo delivered a strong second quarter, achieving new highs for managed premiums and earnings.  Managed premiums tripled year-over-year to $120 million, and MGA Adjusted EBITDA increased to a record $12 million.  Growth was driven by continued strong new business volume and an expanding renewal book.  We see continuing opportunities to drive robust, profitable growth."

MediaAlpha 

On May 10, 2024, MediaAlpha completed a secondary offering of 7.6 million shares at $19.00 per share ($18.24 per share net of underwriting fees).  In the secondary offering, White Mountains sold 5.0 million shares for net proceeds of $91 million.  Following the completion of the offering, White Mountains owns 17.9 million shares of MediaAlpha, representing a 27% basic ownership interest (25% on a fully-diluted/fully-converted basis). 

As of June 30, 2024, MediaAlpha's share price was $13.17 per share, which decreased from $20.37 per share as of March 31, 2024.  The carrying value of White Mountains's investment in MediaAlpha was $235 million as of June 30, 2024 compared to $466 million at March 31, 2024.  The $231 million decline in MediaAlpha's carrying value resulted from $139 million of net realized and unrealized losses in the quarter and $91 million of net proceeds received from the secondary offering.  At our current level of ownership, each $1.00 per share increase or decrease in the share price of MediaAlpha will result in an approximate $7.00 per share increase or decrease in White Mountains's book value per share and adjusted book value per share.  We encourage you to read MediaAlpha's second quarter earnings release and related shareholder letter, which is available on MediaAlpha's investor relations website at www.investors.mediaalpha.com.

Other Operations

White Mountains's Other Operations reported pre-tax income (loss) of $(153) million and $49 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $(31) million and $82 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  Net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) from White Mountains's investment in MediaAlpha were $(139) million and $72 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $(77) million and $8 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  Excluding MediaAlpha, net realized and unrealized investment gains were $9 million and $31 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $76 million and $118 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  Net investment income was $8 million and $18 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $7 million and $14 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.  White Mountains's Other Operations reported general and administrative expenses of $43 million and $94 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to $49 million and $89 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2023.

Investments  

The total consolidated portfolio return was -0.1% in the second quarter of 2024.  Excluding MediaAlpha, the total consolidated portfolio return was 2.2% in the second quarter of 2024.  The total consolidated portfolio return was 0.9% in the second quarter of 2023.  Excluding MediaAlpha, the total consolidated portfolio return was 3.0% in the second quarter of 2023.

The total consolidated portfolio return was 4.5% in the first six months of 2024. Excluding MediaAlpha, the total consolidated portfolio return was 3.5% in the first six months of 2024.  The total consolidated portfolio return was 5.5% in the first six months of 2023.  Excluding MediaAlpha, the total consolidated portfolio return was 6.1% in the first six months of 2023.

Mark Plourde, President of White Mountains Advisors, said, "Excluding MediaAlpha, the total portfolio was up 2.2% in the quarter, a good result on both an absolute and relative basis.  Our short duration fixed income portfolio returned 1.0%, ahead of the BBIA Index return of 0.5%.  The equity portfolio, excluding MediaAlpha, returned 3.9%, slightly behind the S&P 500 Index return of 4.3%."

Share Repurchases

White Mountains did not repurchase any of its common shares in the second quarter of 2024.  In the first six months of 2024, White Mountains repurchased and retired 5,269 of its common shares for $8 million at an average share price of $1,505.01, or 85% of White Mountains's adjusted book value per share as of June 30, 2024.

In the second quarter of 2023, White Mountains repurchased and retired 5,542 of its common shares for $7 million at an average share price of $1,336.68, or 85% of White Mountains's adjusted book value per share as of June 30, 2023.  In the first six months of 2023, White Mountains repurchased and retired 24,165 of its common shares for $33 million at an average share price of $1,354.88, or 86% of White Mountains's adjusted book value per share as of June 30, 2023.

Additional Information

White Mountains is a Bermuda-domiciled financial services holding company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WTM and the Bermuda Stock Exchange under the symbol WTM.BH.  Additional financial information and other items of interest are available at the Company's website located at www.whitemountains.com.  White Mountains expects to file its Form 10-Q today with the Securities and Exchange Commission and urges shareholders to refer to that document for more complete information concerning its financial results.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulation G

This earnings release includes non-GAAP financial measures that have been reconciled from their most comparable GAAP financial measures.

• Adjusted book value per share is a non-GAAP financial measure which is derived by adjusting (i) the GAAP book value per share numerator and (ii) the common shares outstanding denominator, as described below.
  
  The GAAP book value per share numerator is adjusted (i) to add back the unearned premium reserve, net of deferred acquisition costs, at HG Global and (ii) to include a discount for the time value of money arising from the modeled timing of cash payments of principal and interest on the BAM surplus notes.
  
  The value of HG Global's unearned premium reserve, net of deferred acquisition costs, was $199 million, $196 million, $195 million and $182 million as of June 30, 2024, March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, respectively.
  
  Under GAAP, White Mountains is required to carry the BAM surplus notes, including accrued interest, at nominal value with no consideration for time value of money. Based on a debt service model that forecasts operating results for BAM through maturity of the surplus notes, the present value of the BAM surplus notes, including accrued interest and using an 8% discount rate, was estimated to be $87 million, $89 million, $91 million and $95 million less than the nominal GAAP carrying values as of June 30, 2024, March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, respectively.
  
  White Mountains believes these adjustments are useful to management and investors in analyzing the intrinsic value of HG Global, including the value of the in-force business at HG Re, HG Global's reinsurance subsidiary, and the value of the BAM surplus notes.
  
  The denominator used in the calculation of adjusted book value per share equals the number of common shares outstanding adjusted to exclude unearned restricted common shares, the compensation cost of which, at the date of calculation, has yet to be amortized. Restricted common shares are earned on a straight-line basis over their vesting periods. The reconciliation of GAAP book value per share to adjusted book value per share is included on page 8.
  
  
• The growth in adjusted book value per share excluding net realized and unrealized investment losses from White Mountains's investment in MediaAlpha on page 1 is a non-GAAP financial measure. White Mountains believes this measure to be useful to management and investors by showing the underlying performance of White Mountains without regard to the impact of changes in MediaAlpha's share price. A reconciliation from GAAP to the reported percentages is as follows:

• Kudu's EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, annualized adjusted EBITDA, annualized revenue and cash revenue yield are non-GAAP financial measures.
  
  EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that adds back interest expense on debt, income tax (expense) benefit, depreciation and amortization of other intangible assets to GAAP net income (loss).
  
  Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes certain other items in GAAP net income (loss) in addition to those added back to calculate EBITDA. The items relate to (i) net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) on Kudu's revenue and earnings participation contracts, (ii) non-cash equity-based compensation expense and (iii) transaction expenses. A description of each item follows:
  • Net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) - Represents net unrealized investment gains and losses recorded on Kudu's revenue and earnings participation contracts, which are recorded at fair value under GAAP, and realized investment gains and losses from participation contracts sold during the period.
  • Non-cash equity-based compensation expense - Represents non-cash expenses related to Kudu's management compensation that are settled with equity units in Kudu.
  • Transaction expenses - Represents costs directly related to Kudu's mergers and acquisitions activity, such as external lawyer, banker, consulting and placement agent fees, which are not capitalized and are expensed under GAAP.

Annualized adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that (i) annualizes partial year revenues related to Kudu's revenue and earnings participation contracts acquired during the previous 12-month period and (ii) removes partial year revenues related to revenue and earnings participation contracts sold during the previous 12-month period.

Annualized revenue is a non-GAAP financial measure that adds the adjustments for annualized adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net investment income.

Cash revenue yield is a non-GAAP financial measure that is derived using annualized revenue as a percentage of total net capital drawn and invested.

White Mountains believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to management and investors in evaluating Kudu's performance. White Mountains also believes that annualized adjusted EBITDA is useful to management and investors in understanding the full earnings profile of Kudu's business as of the end of any 12-month period. See page 19 for the reconciliation of Kudu's GAAP net income (loss) to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and annualized adjusted EBITDA, and the reconciliation of Kudu's GAAP net investment income to annualized revenue.

• Bamboo's MGA pre-tax income (loss), MGA net income (loss), MGA EBITDA and MGA adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures.
  
  MGA pre-tax income (loss) and MGA net income (loss) are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the results of the Bamboo Captive, which is consolidated under GAAP, from Bamboo's consolidated GAAP pre-tax income (loss) and net income (loss). The following table presents the reconciliation from Bamboo's consolidated GAAP pre-tax income (loss) to MGA pre-tax income (loss):

MGA EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that adds back interest expense on debt, income tax (expense) benefit, depreciation and amortization of other intangible assets to MGA net income (loss).

MGA adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes certain other items in GAAP net income (loss) in addition to those added back to calculate MGA EBITDA.  The items relate to (i) non-cash equity-based compensation expense, (ii) software implementation expenses and (iii) restructuring expenses.  A description of each item follows:

• • Non-cash equity-based compensation expense - Represents non-cash expenses related to Bamboo's management compensation that are settled with equity units in Bamboo.
  • Software implementation expenses - Represents costs directly related to Bamboo's implementation of new software.
  • Restructuring expenses - Represents costs directly related to Bamboo's corporate restructuring and capital planning activities associated with the development of new markets.

White Mountains believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to management and investors in evaluating Bamboo's performance.  See page 21 for the reconciliation of Bamboo's consolidated GAAP net income (loss) to MGA net income (loss), MGA EBITDA and MGA adjusted EBITDA.

• Total consolidated portfolio return excluding MediaAlpha and total equity portfolio return excluding MediaAlpha are non-GAAP financial measures that remove the net investment income and net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) from White Mountains's investment in MediaAlpha. White Mountains believes these measures to be useful to management and investors by showing the underlying performance of White Mountains's investment portfolio and equity portfolio without regard to White Mountains's investment in MediaAlpha. The following tables present reconciliations from GAAP to the reported percentages:

 

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This earnings release 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.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or referenced in this release which address activities, events or developments which White Mountains expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  The words "could", "will", "believe", "intend", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "estimate", "predict" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to White Mountains's:

• change in book value per share, adjusted book value per share or return on equity;
• business strategy;
• financial and operating targets or plans;
• incurred loss and loss adjustment expenses and the adequacy of its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and related reinsurance;
• projections of revenues, income (or loss), earnings (or loss) per share, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, dividends, market share or other financial forecasts of White Mountains or its businesses;
• expansion and growth of its business and operations; and
• future capital expenditures.

These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by White Mountains in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate in the circumstances.  However, whether actual results and developments will conform to its expectations and predictions is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including:

• the risks that are described from time to time in White Mountains's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to White Mountains's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023;
• claims arising from catastrophic events, such as hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, tsunamis, severe weather, public health crises, terrorist attacks, war and war-like actions, explosions, infrastructure failures or cyber-attacks;
• recorded loss reserves subsequently proving to have been inadequate;
• the market value of White Mountains's investment in MediaAlpha;
• the trends and uncertainties from the COVID-19 pandemic, including judicial interpretations on the extent of insurance coverage provided by insurers for COVID-19 pandemic related claims;
• business opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to it and pursued;
• actions taken by rating agencies, such as financial strength or credit ratings downgrades or placing ratings on negative watch;
• the continued availability of capital and financing;
• the continued availability of fronting and reinsurance capacity;
• deterioration of general economic, market or business conditions, including due to outbreaks of contagious disease (including the COVID-19 pandemic) and corresponding mitigation efforts;
• competitive forces, including the conduct of other insurers;
• changes in domestic or foreign laws or regulations, or their interpretation, applicable to White Mountains, its competitors or its customers; and
• other factors, most of which are beyond White Mountains's control.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this earnings release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by White Mountains will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, White Mountains or its business or operations.  White Mountains assumes no obligation to publicly update any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT: Rob Seelig
(603) 640-2212

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SOURCE White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd.