Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following is Management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of UTG, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively with the Parent, the “Company”) for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.
This report on Form 10-K contains certain 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, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. We have based our forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Our forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as the growth of our business and operations, our business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, plans, future capital expenditures and references to future successes may be considered forward-looking statements. Also, when we use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “probably,” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.
Numerous risks and uncertainties may impact the matters addressed by our forward-looking statements, any of which could negatively and materially affect our future financial results and performance.
Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions, and, therefore, the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions, could themselves prove to be inaccurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements that are included in this report, our inclusion of this information is not a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, any forward-looking event discussed in this report may not occur. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or other developments, unless the securities laws require us to do so.
UTG, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a life insurance holding company. The Company’s dominant business is individual life insurance, which includes the servicing of existing insurance policies in-force, the acquisition of other companies in the life insurance business, the acquisition of blocks of business and the administration and processing of life insurance business for other entities.
UTG has a strong philanthropic program. The Company generally allocates a portion of its earnings to be used for its philanthropic efforts primarily targeted to Christ-centered organizations or organizations that help the weak or poor. The Company also encourages its staff to be involved on a personal level through monetary giving, volunteerism and use of their talents to assist those less fortunate than themselves. Through these efforts, the Company hopes to make a positive difference in the local community, state, nation and world.
On February 21, 2023 Mr. James Rousey submitted a letter of resignation stating his desire to retire. In this regard, he retired as President of UTG, Inc. and its subsidiary, Universal Guaranty Life Insurance Company as well as his position as a Director of both entities. This was effective as of the date of the letter. The Board of Directors of UTG, Inc. and Universal Guaranty Life Insurance Company formally accepted the resignation letter on February 22, 2023. Mr. Jesse Correll, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the companies, will assume the title of President initially. This information was filed on Form 8-K with the SEC on February 24, 2023.
We have identified the accounting policies below as critical to the understanding of our results of operations and our financial condition. The application of these critical accounting policies in preparing our consolidated financial statements requires Management to use significant judgments and estimates concerning future results or other developments including the likelihood, timing or amount of one or more future transactions or amounts. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, assumptions and judgments based upon historical experience and various other information that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. For a detailed discussion of other significant accounting policies, see Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Equity securities reported at fair value, which include common and preferred stocks, are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of net income (loss).
Equity securities reported at cost are reported at their cost basis, minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer.
Mortgage loans on real estate are carried at their unpaid principal balances, adjusted for amortization of premium or discount and valuation allowances. Valuation allowances are established for impaired loans when it is probable that contractual principal and interest will not be collected.
Real estate held-for-investment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line-basis for financial reporting purposes using estimated useful lives of 3 to 30 years. The Company periodically reviews its real estate held-for-investment for impairment and test for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Real estate for which the Company commits to a plan to sell within one year and actively markets in its current condition, for a reasonable price, in comparison to its estimated fair value, is classified as held-for-sale. Real estate held-for-sale is stated at lower of depreciated cost or estimated fair value less expected disposition costs and is not depreciated.
Notes receivable are reported at their unpaid principal balances, adjusted for valuation allowances. Valuation allowances are established for impaired loans when it is probable that contractual principal and interest will not be collected. Interest accruals are analyzed based on the likelihood of repayment. The Company does not utilize a specified number of days delinquent to cause an automatic non-accrual status.
The Company’s trading securities and equity securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Fair value is the price that the Company would expect to receive upon sale of the asset in an orderly transaction.
While the available-for-sale fixed maturity securities are generally expected to be held to maturity, they are classified as available-for-sale and are sold periodically to manage risk. Although all of the fixed maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale, the Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities until maturity. See Note 2 – Investments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for detailed disclosures regarding the Company’s investment portfolio.
Results of Operations
During March 2020, a global pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization related to the rapidly growing outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19). The pandemic significantly impacted the economic conditions in the U.S. and globally, accelerating during the first half of March 2020, as federal, state, and local governments reacted to the public health crisis, creating significant uncertainties in the U.S. economy. Over the ensuing months, the economy slowly began to return to a pre-pandemic norm. At this time, it appears the pandemic is behind us, though there continues to be mutating variants of the virus and regional outbreaks around the world. The impact of this seems to have been lessened by vaccines and immunity build up. During this time the Company did not experience any significant slow-down in activities, however, the Company did see an increase in mortality experience. The Company reported 138 Covid claims totaling $1,246,373 in 2020, 166 Covid claims totaling $1,293,625 in 2021 and 80 Covid claims totaling $1,229,875 in 2022. The latter part of 2022 saw a significant decline in Covid claims. While we believe our mortality experience has returned to pre-pandemic norms, we cannot be absolutely certain at this time.
On a consolidated basis, the Company had net income attributable to common shareholders of approximately $34.3 million and $9.7 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. In 2022, income before income taxes was approximately $44 million compared to $11.8 million in 2021. Total revenues were approximately $70 million in 2022 and $35.6 million in 2021.
One-time events, primarily reflected in realized gains, comprise a substantial portion of the net income and revenue reported by the Company during 2022 and 2021. The magnitude of realized investment gains and losses in a given year is a function of the timing of trades of investments relative to the markets themselves as well as the recognition of any impairments on investments. Future earnings will be significantly negatively impacted should earnings from these one-time items not be realizable in a future period. While Management believes there remain additional investments with such one-time earnings, when or if realized remains uncertain.
The Company reported a change in fair value of equity securities of approximately $33.7 million and $14.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This line item is material to the results reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. This line item can also be extremely volatile, reflecting changes in the stock market. These results can be material and volatile, most of the equity holdings of the Company were acquired with a long-term view, thus making these intermediate changes in value of less concern to Management. Management monitors its equity holdings looking more at the specific entity and market it is in relative to performance and less to changes due to general market swings that occur over the holding period of the investment.
While the Company has seen significant positive results on its equity investments in the last two years, a pull back or downward market adjustment could slow these gains or even result in losses in future periods. Management believes its current equity investments continue to be solid investments for the Company and have further growth potential; however, changes in market conditions could cause volatility in market prices.
Total benefits and other expenses paid in 2022 were approximately $25.8 million compared to $23.8 million in 2021.
In summary, the Company’s basis for future revenue is expected to come from the following primary sources: Conservation of business currently in-force, the maximization of investment earnings and the acquisition of other companies or policy blocks in the life insurance business. Management has placed a significant emphasis on the development of these revenue sources to enhance these opportunities.
Revenues
Premiums and policy fee revenues, net of reinsurance premiums and policy fees, declined approximately 11% when comparing 2022 to 2021. The Company writes very little new business. Unless the Company acquires a new company or a block of in-force business, Management expects premium revenue to continue to decline on the existing block of business at a rate consistent with prior experience. The Company’s average persistency rate for all policies in-force for 2022 and 2021 was approximately 96.8% and 95.7%, respectively. Persistency is a measure of insurance in-force retained in relation to the previous year. A positive impact on premium income is the consistency of the lapse percentage. Persistency of the business has been consistent over the last several years. The lapse percentages were 3.2% and 4.3% for 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table summarizes the Company’s investment performance for the years ended December 31:
|
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
Net investment income |
$ |
20,811,471 |
$ |
9,050,325 |
Net realized investment gains |
|
14,168,911 |
|
6,021,653 |
Change in fair value of equity securities |
|
33,690,712 |
|
14,121,883 |
The following table reflects net investment income of the Company for the years ended December 31:
|
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
Fixed maturities |
$ |
4,153,453 |
$ |
4,566,293 |
Equity securities |
|
2,539,579 |
|
1,274,147 |
Trading securities |
|
(13,283) |
|
22,568 |
Mortgage loans |
|
1,580,647 |
|
706,883 |
Real estate |
|
15,424,260 |
|
3,241,689 |
Notes receivable |
|
933,886 |
|
1,558,406 |
Policy loans |
|
489,823 |
|
606,347 |
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
203,250 |
|
2,567 |
Short-term investments |
|
5,056 |
|
0 |
Total consolidated investment income |
|
25,316,671 |
|
11,978,900 |
Investment expenses |
|
(4,505,200) |
|
(2,928,575) |
Consolidated net investment income |
$ |
20,811,471 |
$ |
9,050,325 |
Net investment income represented approximately 30% and 25% of the Company’s total revenues as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Income from the fixed maturities, equity securities, and real estate portfolios represented 87% and 76%, respectively, of the gross investment income reported by the Company for 2022 and 2021. Income from the fixed maturities portfolio declined in 2022 as compared to 2021. The equity securities portfolio and the real estate portfolio performed very well in 2022, representing 71% of the total consolidated investment income.
In March 2020, with the onset of the pandemic in America, financial markets became jittery experiencing a significant drop in the major market indices. In response, the Federal Reserve dropped interest rates to near zero. This action resulted in a drop in all other interest rates in the marketplace. While this increased the fair value of the Company’s current fixed income holdings, it made finding investments to acquire, with any type of historic yield, nearly impossible. In recent periods our economy has heated up with inflation running at higher than desired levels by Federal Reserve standards. In this regard, the Federal Reserve began increasing interest rates in 2022. This has resulted in an increase in the yields available in the bond market and drives the unrealized loss on the bond portfolio.
Since the start of 2022, we have seen more volatility in the U.S. markets in general and have seen an increase in bonds yields. This is due to the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) aggressively raising interest rates to fight the inflation that is currently being experienced. The interest rate environment experienced seven rate changes totaling 4.25% during 2022 and are expected to continue into early 2023. While these actions had a negative impact on some of our investments that we currently own, this will also allow for better yields on future investments acquired as current investments mature.
Income from the fixed maturities investment portfolio represented 16% and 38% of the total consolidated investment income for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. When comparing earnings from the fixed maturities portfolio for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 income was down approximately 9%. The decrease is due to the maturity of certain fixed maturity investments during 2022. The Company’s investment in fixed maturities continues to decline as we have, for the most part, chosen not to reinvest in fixed maturities and any reinvestment has been at lower rates. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, fixed maturities represented 30% and 38%, respectively, of the total investments owned by the Company.
Income from the equity securities portfolio was approximately double that of the prior year and represents approximately 10% of the total consolidated investment income for 2022. Distributions from four securities represented 62% of the 2022 income from the equity securities income. These four securities are associated with the oil and gas industry. During 2022, the Company disposed of a significant portion of two of these securities. Future results are expected to vary based upon these disposals and other investing decisions made by Management. The equity securities investment portfolio represents 45% and 37% of the total investment portfolio as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Income from the real estate portfolio represented 61% of the consolidated investment income for 2022 and is approximately $12.2 million higher than the amount reported in 2021. During 2022, the Company received $2.3 million of income from timber sales as compared to $217,000 in the prior year. Included in the 2022 real estate income is $10.4 million of income from oil and gas royalty distributions, which represents approximately 67% of the current year total income from the real estate portfolio. In 2021, the Company recorded less than $1 million of income from oil and gas royalties. During the latter part of 2021 and in 2022, several of the royalty interests fully depleted and there was in an increase in the number of wells coming online for production. As a result of the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, the United States placed a ban on Russian oil. This ban caused the price of oil to increase dramatically from an average price of $69 per barrel in 2021 to an average price per barrel of $97 in 2022. In 2021, total cash flows from oil and gas royalties were approximately $5.3 million of which $930,000 was reported as income. In 2022, total cash flows from oil and gas royalties were approximately $13.1 million of which $10.4 million was reported as income. In the first quarter of 2023, the average price per barrel of oil has declined to $80. While Management anticipates continued distributions from the oil and gas royalties, they are expected to vary depending on market conditions.
The earnings from the real estate investment portfolio are expected to vary depending on the real estate activities and market conditions. The real estate investment portfolio represents 10% and 11% of the total investment portfolio as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table reflects net realized investment gains (losses) for the years ended December 31:
|
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
Fixed maturities available for sale |
$ |
(528) |
$ |
55,867 |
Equity securities |
|
8,877,148 |
|
3,087,978 |
Real estate |
|
5,292,291 |
|
2,877,808 |
Fixed maturities available for sale – OTTI |
|
0 |
|
(393,455) |
Equity securities - OTTI |
|
(5,000,000) |
|
0 |
Consolidated net realized investment gains |
|
9,168,911 |
|
5,628,198 |
|
|
|
|
|
Change in fair value of equity securities - held |
|
19,212,045 |
|
12,584,561 |
Change in fair value of equity securities - sold |
|
14,478,667 |
|
1,537,322 |
Total change in fair value of equity securities |
|
33,690,712 |
|
14,121,883 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment gains |
$ |
42,859,623 |
$ |
19,750,081 |
Realized gains and losses from equity securities represent the difference between the fair value at the beginning of the reporting period and the fair value at the time of sale. The total gains from equity securities sold in 2022 were approximately $23.4 million, of which $8.9 million is being reported as gains from equity securities and $14.5 million is reported as a component of the change in the fair value of equity securities. The disposal of two equity securities represented 89% of the total gains from the equity securities portfolio. The Company fully disposed of one equity security that produced a realized gain of $6.6 million in 2022. The Company disposed of 7,500 shares of an equity security, associated with the oil and gas industry, producing a realized gain of $14.3 million. The Company still owns 5,000 shares of this equity security as of December 31, 2022. This disposal will impact future dividend earnings of the Company as it represented a significant portion of the 2022 investment income from equity securities.
The total gains from equity securities sold in 2021 were approximately $4.6 million, of which $3.1 million is being reported as gains from equity securities and $1.5 million is reported as a component of the change in the fair value of equity securities. The Company disposed of 2,500 shares of an equity security, associated with the oil and gas industry, producing a realized gain of $2.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company also reported additional gains of approximately $851,000 from the sales of the music royalties.
The Company reported a change in fair value of equity securities of approximately $33.7 million and $14.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This line item is material to the results reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. This line item can also be extremely volatile, reflecting changes in the stock market. While both 2021 and 2022 reflected positive results, 2022 results were more than double of that of 2021. While these results can be material and volatile, most of the equity holdings of the Company were acquired with a long-term view, thus making these intermediate changes in value of less concern to Management. Management monitors its equity holdings looking more at the specific entity and market it is in relative to performance and less to changes due to general market swings that occur over the holding period of the investment.
While the Company has seen significant positive results from its equity investments in the last two years, a pull back or downward market adjustment could slow these gains or even result in losses in future periods. Management believes its current equity investments continue to be solid investments for the Company and have further growth potential; however, changes in market conditions could cause volatility in market prices.
Included in the 2022 and 2021 net investment gains are other-than-temporary impairments of $5 million and $393,000, respectively. The other-than-temporary impairments recognized during 2022 and 2021 were taken as a result of Management’s assessment and determination of value of the investment. The investments were written down to better reflect their current expected value.
During 2022, the Company sold real estate located in Kentucky and recognized a gain of approximately $3.7 million from the sale. The 2021 real estate gains are mainly the result of the sale of real estate located in Illinois and Florida. During 2021, the Company sold its home office building located in Springfield, IL. The sale of this property produced a gain of approximately $1 million and represented approximately 36% of the investment gains from real estate. The Company sold real estate in Florida and recognized a gain of approximately $1.3 million, which represents approximately 44% of the gains reported for the real estate investment portfolio.
Realized investment gains are the result of one-time events and are expected to vary from year to year.
In summary, the Company’s basis for future revenue is expected to come from the following primary sources: Conservation of business currently in-force, the maximization of investment earnings and the acquisition of other companies or policy blocks in the life insurance business. Management has placed a significant emphasis on the development of these revenue sources to enhance these opportunities.
Expenses
The Company reported total benefits and other expenses of approximately $25.8 million and $23.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Benefits, claims and settlement expenses represented approximately 57% and 68% of the Company’s total expenses for 2022 and 2021, respectively. The other major expense category of the Company is operating expenses, which represented 41% and 30% of the Company’s total expenses for 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses, net of reinsurance benefits, were down approximately 9% when comparing 2022 and 2021 activity. Policy claims vary from year to year and therefore, fluctuations in mortality are to be expected and are not considered unusual by Management.
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company implemented a process to monitor death claims resulting from COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, death benefits were $12.6 million, $12.8 million and $12.4 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. During the two years of the pandemic, total death benefits were $14.3 million and $16 million in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In 2022, total death benefits, net of reinsurance, declined to $13.3 million. Death benefits of the Company have been higher than recent past experience, even when adjusting for the identified COVID-19 claims. This anomaly is showing throughout the entire U.S. insurance industry. Industry experts believe this increase is death benefits while not always directly related to COVID-19, are caused indirectly by the pandemic due to delays in medical care as a result of the lockdown in 2020 and then later, people’s fears of seeking out treatment and trouble making up appointments. This is further compounded by depression from isolation. While we believe our mortality experience has returned to pre-pandemic norms, we cannot be absolutely certain at this time.
Changes in policyholder reserves, or future policy benefits, also impact this line item. Reserves are calculated on an individual policy basis and generally increase over the life of the policy as a result of additional premium payments and acknowledgment of increased risk as the insured continues to age.
The short-term impact of policy surrenders is negligible since a reserve for future policy benefits payable is held which is, at a minimum, equal to and generally greater than the cash surrender value of a policy. The benefit of fewer policy surrenders is primarily received over a longer time period through the retention of the Company’s asset base.
Overall, the Company’s persistency for business in-force remained relatively steady at 96.8% in 2022 compared to 95.7% in 2021. The Company’s actual experience for earned interest, persistency, and mortality varies from the assumptions applied to pricing and for determining premiums. Accordingly, differences between the Company’s actual experience and those assumptions applied may affect the profitability of the Company. The Company monitors investment yields, and when necessary adjusts credited interest rates on its insurance products to preserve targeted interest spreads.
Operating expenses increased approximately 48% or $3.4 million in 2022 as compared to that of the same period in 2021. Bonuses paid to employees were approximately $600,000 higher in 2022 as compared to 2021 and were driven by the Company’s 2022 performance.
As mentioned above in the Overview section of the Management Discussion and Analysis, UTG has a strong philanthropic program. The Company generally allocates a portion of its earnings to be used for its philanthropic efforts primarily targeted to Christ-centered organizations or organizations that help the weak or poor. Charitable contributions made by the Company are expected to vary from year to year depending on the earnings of the Company. In 2022, the Company paid approximately $2 million in charitable donations.
Net amortization of cost of insurance acquired decreased approximately 4% when comparing current and prior year activity. Cost of insurance acquired is established when an insurance company is acquired or when the Company acquires a block of in-force business. The Company assigns a portion of its cost to the right to receive future profits from insurance contracts existing at the date of the acquisition. Cost of insurance acquired is amortized with interest in relation to expected future profits, including direct charge-offs for any excess of the unamortized asset over the projected future profits. The interest rates may vary due to risk analysis performed at the time of acquisition on the business acquired. The Company utilizes a 12% discount rate on the remaining unamortized business. The amortization is adjusted retrospectively when estimates of current or future gross profits to be realized from a group of products are revised. Amortization of cost of insurance acquired is particularly sensitive to changes in interest rate spreads and persistency of certain blocks of insurance in-force. This expense is expected to decrease, unless the Company acquires a new block of business.
Management continues to place significant emphasis on expense monitoring and cost containment. Maintaining administrative efficiencies directly impacts net income.
Financial Condition
Investment Information
Investments are the largest asset group of the Company. The Company’s insurance subsidiary is regulated by insurance statutes and regulations as to the type of investments they are permitted to make, and the amount of funds that may be used for any one type of investment.
The following table reflects, by investment category, the investments held by the Company as of December 31:
|
|
2022 |
|
As a % of Total Investments |
|
As a % of Total Assets |
|
Fixed maturities |
$ |
108,313,059 |
|
30% |
|
24% |
|
Equity securities, at fair value |
|
150,053,686 |
|
41% |
|
33% |
|
Equity securities, at cost |
|
15,683,343 |
|
4% |
|
4% |
|
Mortgage loans |
|
30,698,694 |
|
8% |
|
7% |
|
Real estate |
|
34,934,352 |
|
10% |
|
8% |
|
Notes receivable |
|
14,424,127 |
|
4% |
|
3% |
|
Policy loans |
|
6,567,434 |
|
2% |
|
1% |
|
Short-term investments |
|
3,596,941 |
|
1% |
|
1% |
|
Total investments |
$ |
364,271,636 |
|
100% |
|
81% |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
As a % of Total Investments |
|
As a % of Total Assets |
|
Fixed maturities |
$ |
140,963,881 |
|
38% |
|
32% |
|
Equity securities, at fair value |
|
122,229,121 |
|
33% |
|
28% |
|
Equity securities, at cost |
|
14,543,343 |
|
4% |
|
3% |
|
Trading securities |
|
(1,116) |
|
0% |
|
0% |
|
Mortgage loans |
|
29,183,562 |
|
8% |
|
7% |
|
Real estate |
|
39,748,261 |
|
10% |
|
9% |
|
Notes receivable |
|
17,722,976 |
|
5% |
|
4% |
|
Policy loans |
|
7,390,497 |
|
2% |
|
2% |
|
Total investments |
$ |
371,780,525 |
|
100% |
|
85% |
|
The Company’s investments are generally managed to match related insurance and policyholder liabilities. The comparison of investment return with insurance or investment product crediting rates establishes an interest spread. Interest crediting rates on adjustable rate policies have been reduced to their guaranteed minimum rates, and as such, cannot be lowered any further. Policy interest crediting rate changes and expense load changes become effective on an individual policy basis on the next policy anniversary. Therefore, it takes a full year from the time the change was determined for the full impact of such change to be realized. If interest rates decline in the future, the Company will not be able to lower rates and both net investment income and net income will be impacted negatively.
The Company’s total investments represented 81% and 85% of the Company’s total assets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Fixed maturities and equity securities, at fair value, consistently represent the majority, of the Company’s total investments – 71% in 2022 and 2021.
As of December 31, 2022, the carrying value of fixed maturity securities in default as to principal or interest was immaterial in the context of consolidated assets, shareholders’ equity or results from operations. To provide additional flexibility and liquidity, the Company has identified all fixed maturity securities as “investments available-for-sale”. Investments available-for-sale are carried at market value, with changes in market value charged directly to the other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ equity. Changes in the market value of available for sale securities resulted in net unrealized gains (losses) of approximately $(27.8) million and $(7.1) million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The variance in the net unrealized gains and losses is the result of normal market fluctuations mainly related to changes in interest rates in the marketplace.
Management continues to view the Company’s investment portfolio with utmost priority. Significant time has been spent internally researching the Company’s risk and communicating with outside investment advisors about the current investment environment and ways to ensure preservation of capital and mitigate losses. Management has put extensive efforts into evaluating the investment holdings. Additionally, members of the Company’s Board of Directors and investment committee have been solicited for advice and provided with information. Management reviews the Company’s entire portfolio on a security level basis to be sure all understand our holdings, potential risks and underlying credit supporting the investments. Management intends to continue its close monitoring of its bond holdings and other investments for possible deterioration or market condition changes. Future events may result in Management’s determination that certain current investment holdings may need to be sold which could result in gains or losses in future periods. Such future events could also result in other than temporary declines in value that could result in future period impairment losses.
There are a number of significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the process of monitoring impairments and determining if impairment is other-than-temporary. These risks and uncertainties related to Management’s assessment of other-than-temporary declines in value include but are not limited to: the risk that Company’s assessment of an issuer’s ability to meet all of its contractual obligations will change based on changes in the credit characteristics of that issuer; the risk that the economic outlook will be worse than expected or have more of an impact on the issuer than anticipated; the risk that fraudulent information could be provided to the Company’s investment professionals who determine the fair value estimates.
Liquidity
Liquidity provides the Company with the ability to meet on demand the cash commitments required by its business operations and financial obligations. The Company’s liquidity is primarily derived from cash balances, a portfolio of marketable securities and line of credit facilities. The Company has two principal needs for cash – the insurance company’s contractual obligations to policyholders and the payment of operating expenses.
Parent Company Liquidity
UTG is a holding company that has no day-to-day operations of its own. Cash flows from UTG’s insurance subsidiary, UG, are used to pay costs associated with maintaining the Company in good standing with states in which it does business and purchasing outstanding shares of UTG stock. UTG’s cash flow is dependent on management fees received from its insurance subsidiary, stockholder dividends from its subsidiary and earnings received on cash balances. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, substantially all of the consolidated shareholders’ equity represents net assets of its subsidiaries. In 2022, the Parent company received $3 million in dividends from its insurance subsidiary and $5 million in 2021. Certain restrictions exist on the payment of dividends from the insurance subsidiary to the Parent company. For further information regarding the restrictions on the payment of dividends by the insurance subsidiary, see Note 9 – Shareholders’ Equity in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Although these restrictions exist, dividend availability from the insurance subsidiary has historically been sufficient to meet the cash flow needs of the Parent company.
Insurance Subsidiary Liquidity
Sources of cash flows for the insurance subsidiary primarily consist of premium and investment income. Cash outflows from operations include policy benefit payments, administrative expenses, taxes and dividends to the Parent company.
Short-Term Borrowings
During October of 2022, the Federal Home Loan Bank approved UG’s Cash Management Advance Application (“CMA”). The CMA is a source of overnight liquidity utilized to address the day-to-day cash needs of a Company. The CMA gives the Company the option of selecting a variable rate of interest for up to 90 days or a fixed rate for a maximum of 30 days. The variable rate CMA is prepayable at any time without a fee, while the fixed CMA is not prepayable prior to maturity. The Company has pledged bonds with a collateral lendable value of $2.3 million. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company borrowed $19 million and planned to utilize the funds for investing activities. The interest rate on the borrowed funds is variable and currently is 4.42%. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company repaid the entire outstanding principal balance.
Consolidated Liquidity
Cash used in operating activities was approximately $5.3 million and $12.5 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Sources of operating cash flows of the Company, as with most insurance entities, is comprised primarily of premiums received on life insurance products and income earned on investments. Uses of operating cash flows consist primarily of payments of benefits to policyholders and beneficiaries and operating expenses. The Company has not marketed any significant new products for several years. As such, premium revenues continue to decline. Management anticipates future cash flows from operations to remain similar to historic trends.
During 2022 and 2021, the Company’s investing activities provided (used) net cash of approximately $26.2 million and $(18.1) million, respectively. The Company recognized proceeds of approximately $79.7 million and $59.3 million from investments sold and matured in 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company used approximately $53.5 million and $78.7 million to acquire investments during 2022 and 2021, respectively. The net cash provided by investing activities is expected to vary from year to year depending on market conditions and management’s ability to find and negotiate favorable investment contracts.
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was approximately $(6.4) million and $22.3 million during 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had $19 million and $24 million in debt outstanding with third parties, respectively.
The Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $45.3 million and $30.8 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company has a portfolio of marketable fixed maturity securities that could be sold, if an unexpected event were to occur. These securities had a fair value of approximately $108.3 million and $141 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. However, the strong cash flows from investing activities, investment maturities and the availability of the line of credit facilities make it unlikely that the Company would need to sell securities for liquidity purposes. See Note 2 – Investments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for detailed disclosures regarding the Company’s investment portfolio.
Management believes the overall sources of liquidity available will be sufficient to satisfy its financial obligations.
Capital Resources
The Company’s capital structure consists of available short-term debt, long-term debt and shareholders’ equity. A complete analysis and description of the short-term and long-term debt issues available as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are presented in Note 7 – Credit Arrangements in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company had $19 million and $24 million of debt outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The NAIC’s risk-based capital requirements require insurance companies to calculate and report information under a risk-based capital formula. The risk-based capital (RBC) formula measures the adequacy of statutory capital and surplus in relation to investment and insurance risks such as asset quality, mortality and morbidity, asset and liability matching and other business factors. The RBC formula is used by state insurance regulators as an early warning tool to identify, for the purpose of initiating regulatory action, insurance companies that potentially are inadequately capitalized.
At December 31, 2022, UG has a ratio of approximately 6.10, which is 610% of the authorized control level. Accordingly, the Company meets the RBC requirements.
The Board of Directors of UTG has authorized the repurchase in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions of UTG’s common stock. At a meeting of the Board of Directors in March of 2022, the Board of Directors of UTG authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $2 million of UTG’s common stock, for a total repurchase of $22 million of UTG’s common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Company Management has broad authority to operate the program, including the discretion of whether to purchase shares and the ability to suspend or terminate the program. Open market purchases are made based on the last available market price but may be limited. During 2022, the Company repurchased 24,308 shares through the stock repurchase program for $685,808. Through December 31, 2022, UTG has spent $19,309,437 in the acquisition of 1,326,213 shares under this program.
Shareholders’ equity was approximately $157.6 million and $140.8 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Total shareholders’ equity increased approximately 12% in 2022 as compared to 2021. The increase is primarily attributable to net income from operations. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company reported accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of approximately $(7.1) million and $10.3 million, respectively.
For the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income was approximately $(17.4) million and $(5.3) million, respectively, as a result of unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities. The variance in the net unrealized gains and losses is the result of normal market fluctuations mainly related to changes in interest rates in the marketplace.
The Company’s investments provide sufficient return to cover future obligations. The Company carries all of its fixed maturity holdings as available for sale, which are reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements at their fair value.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 – Summary of Significant Account Policies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding new accounting pronouncements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, financing activities or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons.
Contractual Obligations
As a smaller reporting company, as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, the Company has elected to comply with certain scaled disclosure reporting obligations, and therefore does not have to provide the information required by this item.