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Susan Spivak Bernstein

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Argo Group Reports 2016 Third Quarter Net Income of $55.2 Million or $1.80 per Diluted Share, Operating Income of $34.4 Million or $1.12 per Diluted Share

HAMILTON, Bermuda (Nov. 1, 2016) – Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NASDAQ: AGII) today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2016.

2016 Third Quarter Recap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS BY SEGMENT

Excess and Surplus Lines

●	Gross written premium was up 6% in the third quarter and 4% in the first nine months of 2016 primarily driven by casualty, environmental, and transportation lines.

●	The loss ratio for the 2016 third quarter, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve development, was 59.9 % compared to 60.7 % for the 2015 third quarter.

In the 2016 third quarter, the Excess and Surplus Lines segment reported gross written premiums of $141.7 million compared to $133.6 million in the 2015 third quarter.  For the 2016 third quarter, net written premiums were up 2.6% to $119.4 million, and earned premiums were up 0.7% to $122.3 million, when compared to the 2015 third quarter.  Underwriting income was $11.5 million for the 2016 third quarter, compared to $16.3 million for the 2015 third quarter.  The 2016 third quarter combined ratio of 90.6 % compares to 86.6 % for the prior-year quarter.  Net favorable prior-year reserve development was $5.7 million for the 2016 third quarter, benefiting the combined ratio by 4.6 points, compared to net favorable prior-year reserve development of $8.7 million or 7.2 points for the 2015 third quarter.  Catastrophe losses for the 2016 third quarter were $3.8 million or 3.1 points on the combined ratio, compared to $2.7 million or 2.2 points for the 2015 third quarter.  The loss ratio for the 2016 third quarter, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve development, was 59.9 % compared to 60.7 % for the 2015 third quarter.

For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2016, gross written premiums were $456.0 million, up $16.0 million or 3.6%, compared to $440.0 million in the first nine months of 2015.  Net written premiums were up less than 1% to $379.4 million, and earned premiums were up 3.3% to $363.4 million, when compared to the first nine months of 2015.  Underwriting income was $38.2 million compared to $43.8 million in the first nine months of 2015.  The first nine months of 2016 combined ratio of 89.5% compares to 87.6% in the first nine months of 2015.  Net favorable prior-year reserve development was $12.0 million or 3.3 points on the combined ratio in the first nine months of 2016, compared to net favorable prior-year reserve development of $18.4 million or 5.2 points in the first nine months of 2015.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2016 were $9.4 million or 2.6 points on the combined ratio, compared to $4.7 million or 1.3 points in the first nine months of 2015.  The loss ratio for the first nine months of 2016, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve development, was 58.9% compared to 59.8% in the first nine months of 2015.

Commercial Specialty

●	Gross written premium was up 24% in the third quarter and 20% in the first nine months of 2016 , driven by program, surety, and professional lines businesses.

●	The loss ratio for the 2016 third quarter, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve development, was 56.8 %, compared to 56.7 % for the 2015 third quarter.

The Commercial Specialty segment reported gross written premiums of $ 219.1 million, up $42.5 million or 24.1 % , compared to $ 176.6 million in the 2015 third quarter.  For the 2016 third quarter, net written premiums were up 22.8 % to $139.5 million, and earned premiums were up 7.4 % to $94.0 million, when compared to the 2015 third quarter.  Underwriting income was $16.0 million for the 2016 third quarter, compared to underwriting income of $ 11.0   million for the 2015 third quarter.  The 2016 third quarter combined ratio of 83.0 % compares to 87.4 % for the prior-year quarter.  For the 2016 third quarter, net favorable prior-year reserve development was $ 8.0   million or 8.6   points on the combined ratio, compared to net favorable prior-year reserve development of $ 2.6   million or 3.0   points for the 2015 third quarter.  Catastrophe losses for the quarter were $ 0.7   million or 0.8 points on the combined ratio, compared to $ 0.4   million or 0.6 points for the 2015 third quarter.  The loss ratio for the 2016 third quarter, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve development, was 56.8 %, compared to 56.7 % for the 2015 third quarter.

For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2016, gross written premiums were $ 514.2 million, up $85.7 million or 20.0 % , compared to $ 428.5 million in the first nine months of 2015.  Net written premiums were up 11.2 % to $ 292.4 million,   and earned premiums were up 4.1 % to $ 266.3 million, when compared to the first nine months of 2015.  Underwriting income was $40.7 million compared to $21.2 million in the first nine months of 2015.  The first nine months of 2016 combined ratio of 84.7 % compares to 91.7 % in the first nine months of 2015.  Net favorable prior-year reserve development was $13.6 million benefiting the combined ratio by 5.1 points, compared to net unfavorable prior-year reserve development of $3.7 million or 1.5 points in the first nine months of 2015.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2016 were $ 2.1   million or 0.7   points on the combined ratio, compared to $ 1.8   million or 0.7   points in the first nine months of 2015.  The loss ratio for the first nine months of 2016, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve development, was 55.6 %, compared to 57.0 % in the first nine months of 2015.

 

 

Syndicate 1200

●	Gross premiums written were up modestly in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 reflecting continued challenging market conditions and a 5% reduction in our participation on the syndicate for 2016.

●	The loss ratio for the 2016 third quarter, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve development, was 52.0 %, compared to 51.2 % in the 2015 third quarter.

The Syndicate 1200 segment reported gross written premiums of $ 162.6 million in the 2016 third quarter, up $2.4 million or 1.5 % from $ 160.2 million for 2015 third quarter.  Net written premiums were $ 115.8 million versus $ 115.9 million in the 2015 third quarter.  Earned premiums were $102.4 million versus $ 100.3 million for the 2015 third quarter.  Underwriting income was $ 1.3   million for the 2016 third quarter, compared to $ 4.2   million for the 2015 third quarter.  The 2016 third quarter combined ratio of 98.7 % compares to 95.8 % for the prior-year quarter.  For the 2016 third quarter, net unfavorable prior-year reserve development was $1.9 million or 1.8 points on the combined ratio, compared to net favorable prior-year reserve development of $0.3 million benefiting the combined by 0.2 points for the 2015 third quarter.  Catastrophe losses for the 2016 third quarter were $ 7.0   million or 6.8   points on the combined ratio, compared to $4.0 million or 4.0 points for the 2015 third quarter.  The loss ratio for the 2016 third quarter, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve development, was 52.0 %, compared to 51.2 % in the 2015 third quarter.

For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2016, gross written premiums were $ 480.2 million, up $ 7.0   million or 1.5 % from $ 473.2 million in the first nine months of 2015.  Net written premiums were $ 303.5 million versus $ 320.4 million in the first nine months of 2015.  Earned premiums were $ 301.1 million versus $ 308.9 million in the first nine months of 2015.  Underwriting income was $ 9.1   million compared to $ 20.9   million in the first nine months of 2015.  The first nine months of 2016 combined ratio of 97.0 % compares to 93.2 % in the first nine months of 2015.  Net favorable prior-year reserve development in the first nine months of 2016 was $ 2.5   million or 0.8   points on the combined ratio, compared to net favorable prior-year reserve development of $ 2.8   million or 0.9   points in the first nine months of 2015.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2016 were $ 14.0   million or 4.6   points on the combined ratio, compared to $ 5.0   million or 1.5   points on the combined ratio in the first nine months of 2015.  The loss ratio for the first nine months of 2016, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve development, was 52.4 % , compared to 51.8 % in the first nine months of 2015.

International Specialty

●	Gross premiums written were up modestly in the third quarter but down in the first nine months of 2016 reflecting more competitive market conditions that exist in nearly all of the segment’s business lines.

●	The loss ratio for the first nine months of 2016, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve development, was 47.0 % , compared to 49.6 % in the first nine months of 2015.

The International Specialty segment includes our property reinsurance business as well as our insurance business in Bermuda and Brazil.  In the 2016 third quarter, gross written premiums were $61.9 million, up $1.2 million or 2.0 % from $60.7 million for the 2015 third quarter.  Net written premiums were $40.5 million versus $40.0 million in the 2015 third quarter. Earned premiums were $39.9 million versus $36.4 million for the 2015 third quarter.  Underwriting income was $ 11.2   million for the 2016 third quarter, compared to $ 1.3 million for the 2015 third quarter.  The 2016 third quarter combined ratio of 72.2 % compares to 96.8 % for the prior-year quarter.  Net favorable prior-year reserve development was $ 2.5   million or 6.1   points on the combined ratio for the 2016 third quarter, compared to net favorable prior-year reserve development of $ 2.1   million or 6.0   points for the 2015 third quarter.  Catastrophe losses for the 2016 third quarter were $1.4 million or 3.7   points on the combined ratio, compared to $6.0 million or 18.2 points for the 2015 third quarter. The loss ratio for the 2016 third quarter, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve development, was 44.8 % , compared to 50.0 % in the 2015 third quarter.

 

For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2016, gross written premiums were $ 215.1 million, down $ 8.7   million or 3.9 % from $ 223.8 million in the first nine months of 2015.  Net written premiums were $131.1 million versus $131.5 million in the first nine months of 2015.  Earned premiums were $117.4 million versus $109.8 million in the first nine months of 2015.  Underwriting income was $21.5 million compared to $14.6 million in the first nine months of 2015.  The first nine months of 2016 combined ratio of 81.8 % compares to 86.8 % in the first nine months of 2015.  Net favorable prior-year reserve development in the first nine months of 2016 was $ 8.3   million or 7.2   points on the combined ratio, compared to net favorable prior-year reserve development of $ 5.8   million or 5.3   points in the first nine months of 2015.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2016 were $ 13.4 million or 12.2   points on the combined ratio compared to $ 7.0   million or 6.9   points in the first nine months of 2015.  The loss ratio for the first nine months of 2016, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve development, was 47.0 % , compared to 49.6 % in the first nine months of 2015.

CONFERENCE CALL

 

Argo Group management will conduct an investor conference call starting at 11 a.m. EDT (Noon ADT) tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016.  A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed by visiting ( http://services.choruscall.com/links/agii161102.html ).  Participants inside the U.S. can access the call by phone by dialing (877) 291-5203.  Callers dialing from outside the U.S. can access the call by dialing (412) 902-6610.  Please ask the operator to be connected to the Argo Group earnings call.

 

A webcast replay will be available shortly after the conference call and can be accessed at ( http://services.choruscall.com/links/agii161102.html ).  In addition, a telephone replay of the call will be available through Nov. 9, 2016, to callers from inside the U.S. by dialing (877) 344-7529 (conference #10095483).  Callers dialing from outside the U.S. can access the telephone replay by dialing (412) 317-0088 (conference #10095483).

ABOUT ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD .

Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NASDAQ: AGII) is an international underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and casualty market. Argo Group offers a full line of products and services designed to meet the unique coverage and claims handling needs of businesses in four primary segments: Excess & Surplus Lines, Commercial Specialty, Syndicate 1200 and International Specialty. Argo Group's insurance subsidiaries are A. M. Best-rated 'A' (Excellent) (highest rating out of 16 rating classifications) with a stable outlook, and Argo's U.S. insurance subsidiaries are Standard and Poor's-rated 'A-' (Strong) with a stable outlook. More information on Argo Group and its subsidiaries is available at www.argolimited.com .

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may include forward-looking statements, both with respect to Argo Group and its industry, that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and can be identified by the use of words such as "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," “do not believe,” “aim,” "project," "anticipate," “seek,” "will," “likely,” “assume,” “estimate,” "may," “continue,” “guidance,” “objective,” “outlook,” “trends,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “target,” “on track” and similar expressions of a future or forward-looking nature. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Argo Group's control. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements and, therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any such statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events; 2) rating agency actions; 3) adequacy of our risk management and loss limitation methods; 4) cyclicality of demand and pricing in the insurance and reinsurance markets; 5) statutory or regulatory developments including tax policy, reinsurance and other regulatory matters; 6) our ability to implement our business strategy; 7) adequacy of our loss reserves; 8) continued availability of capital and financing; 9) retention of key personnel; 10) competition; 11) potential loss of business from one or more major insurance or reinsurance brokers; 12) our ability to implement, successfully and on a timely basis, complex infrastructure, distribution capabilities, systems, procedures and internal controls, and to develop accurate actuarial data to support the business and regulatory and reporting requirements; 13) general economic and market conditions (including inflation, volatility in the credit and capital markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates); 14) the integration of businesses we may acquire or new business ventures we may start; 15) the effect on our investment portfolios of changing financial market conditions including inflation, interest rates, liquidity and other factors; 16) acts of terrorism or outbreak of war; and 17) availability of reinsurance and retrocessional coverage, as well as management's response to any of the aforementioned factors.

 

In addition, any estimates relating to loss events involve the exercise of considerable judgment and reflect a combination of ground-up evaluations, information available to date from brokers and cedants, market intelligence, initial tentative loss reports and other sources. The actuarial range of reserves and management’s best estimate is based on our then current state of knowledge including explicit and implicit assumptions relating to the pattern of claim development, the expected ultimate settlement amount, inflation and dependencies between lines of business. Our internal capital model is used to consider the distribution for reserving risk around this best estimate and predict the potential range of outcomes. However, due to the complexity of factors contributing to the losses and the preliminary nature of the information used to prepare these estimates, there can be no assurance that Argo Group’s ultimate losses will remain within the stated amount.

The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risk factors included in our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and other documents of Argo Group on file with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Any forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by Argo Group will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Argo Group or its business or operations. Except as required by law, Argo Group undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In presenting the Company's results, management has included and discussed in this press release certain non-generally accepted accounting principles ("non-GAAP") financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G as promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures, which may be defined differently by other companies, better explain the Company's results of operations in a manner that allows for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends in the Company's business. However, these measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP").

“Underwriting income” is an internal performance measure used in the management of the Company’s operations and represents net amount earned from underwriting activities (net premiums earned less underwriting expenses and claims incurred).  Although this measure of profit (loss) does not replace net income (loss) computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP as a measure of profitability, management uses this measure of profit (loss) to focus our reporting segments on generating underwriting income.

 

"Operating income" is an internal performance measure used in the management of the Company's operations and represents after-tax operational results excluding, as applicable, net realized investment gains or losses, net foreign exchange gain or loss, and other non-recurring items. The Company excludes net realized investment gains or losses, net foreign exchange gain or loss, and other non-recurring items from the calculation of operating income because these amounts are influenced by and fluctuate in part according to the availability of market opportunities and other factors. In addition to presenting net income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company believes that showing operating income enables investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of the Company's financial information to more easily analyze our results of operations and underlying business performance. Operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income.

 

"Annualized return on average shareholders’ equity" ("ROAE") is calculated using average shareholders' equity. In calculating ROAE, the net income available to shareholders for the period is multiplied by the number of periods in a calendar year to arrive at annualized net income available to shareholders. The Company presents ROAE as a measure that is commonly recognized as a standard of performance by investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of its financial information.

"Annualized operating return on average shareholders' equity" is calculated using operating income (as defined above and annualized in the manner described for net income (loss) available to shareholders under ROAE above) and average shareholders' equity.  The assumed tax rate is 20%.

Reconciliations of these financial measures to their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures are included in the attached tables.

(financial tables follow)