Mercury General Corporation Announces First Quarter Results and Declares Quarterly Dividend
- Net premiums earned increased 10% to $1.28 billion
- Net investment income before taxes grew to $81.5 million from $65 million YoY
- Average annual yield on investments improved to 4.9% from 4.4% YoY
- Maintained quarterly dividend of $0.3175 per share
- Successfully recovered $525 million through subrogation estimates
- 100% collection rate on initial reinsurance billing of $606 million
- Net loss of $108.3 million compared to $73.5 million profit in Q1 2024
- Catastrophe losses increased 520.8% to $447 million
- Combined ratio deteriorated to 119.2%, up 18.3 points
- Net realized investment gains decreased 38.9% to $18.4 million
- Operating loss of $126.8 million compared to $43.3 million profit in Q1 2024
- Additional $101 million in reinsurance reinstatement premiums required
Insights
Mercury's Q1 results devastated by $447M in catastrophe losses, driving a $108M net loss despite premium growth and effective reinsurance protection.
Mercury General's Q1 2025 results reveal severe financial disruption from Southern California wildfires, transforming what might have been a profitable quarter into a $108.3 million net loss compared to $73.5 million net income in Q1 2024 – a staggering 247.5% decrease. While net premiums earned grew 10.0% to
The combined ratio – the critical insurance profitability metric measuring losses and expenses against premium income – deteriorated dramatically to
Despite these losses, there are several silver linings. The company maintained its
This catastrophe-driven quarter demonstrates the inherent volatility in property insurance in catastrophe-prone regions like California, while simultaneously showcasing the vital importance of reinsurance protection that absorbed the majority of what could have been an existentially threatening loss.
Mercury's catastrophe risk program effectively mitigated $2.15B gross wildfire losses, limiting net impact to $331M through reinsurance and subrogation strategies.
Mercury's catastrophe risk management infrastructure faced an extreme test from the January 2025 Southern California wildfires, with impressive results despite the quarter's overall losses. The company's gross catastrophe losses reached
Their reinsurance program performed exactly as designed, allowing Mercury to cede
The company's subrogation strategy further mitigated losses, with Mercury recording
Mercury's flexible approach to catastrophe classification – retaining the option to treat the Palisades and Eaton fires as either one event or two separate events for reinsurance purposes – provides strategic optionality as claims develop. Additionally, with
These risk management outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of Mercury's catastrophe protection program despite the significant financial impact of this extraordinary event.
Consolidated Highlights | |||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | Change | ||||||
2025 | 2024 | $ | % | ||||
(000's except per-share amounts and ratios) | |||||||
Net premiums earned (2) | $ 1,283,069 | $ 1,166,679 | $ 116,390 | 10.0 | |||
Net premiums written (1) (2) | $ 1,314,380 | $ 1,284,984 | $ 29,396 | 2.3 | |||
Net realized investment gains, net of tax (3) | $ 18,424 | $ 30,172 | $ (11,748) | (38.9) | |||
Net (loss) income | $ (108,327) | $ 73,462 | $ (181,789) | (247.5) | |||
Net (loss) income per diluted share | $ (1.96) | $ 1.33 | $ (3.29) | (247.4) | |||
Operating (loss) income (1) | $ (126,751) | $ 43,290 | $ (170,041) | (392.8) | |||
Operating (loss) income per diluted share (1) | $ (2.29) | $ 0.78 | $ (3.07) | (393.6) | |||
Catastrophe losses net of reinsurance (4) | $ 447,000 | $ 72,000 | $ 375,000 | 520.8 | |||
Combined ratio (5) | 119.2 % | 100.9 % | — | 18.3 pts |
(1) | These measures are not based on |
(2) | Net premiums earned and net premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2025 include |
(3) | Net realized investment gains before tax were |
(4) | The majority of 2025 catastrophe losses resulted from |
(5) | The Company experienced favorable development of approximately |
Investment Results | |||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
2025 | 2024 | ||
(000's except average annual yield) | |||
Average invested assets at cost (1) | $ 5,594,499 | $ 5,358,848 | |
Net investment income (2) (3) | |||
Before income taxes | $ 81,479 | $ 65,018 | |
After income taxes | $ 67,850 | $ 54,880 | |
Average annual yield on investments (2) (3) | |||
Before income taxes | 4.9 % | 4.4 % | |
After income taxes | 4.1 % | 3.8 % |
(1) | Fixed maturities and short-term bonds at amortized cost; equities and other short-term investments at cost. Average invested assets at cost are based on the monthly amortized cost of the invested assets excluding cash for each period. |
(2) | Net investment income includes interest income earned on cash of approximately |
(3) | Higher net investment income before and after income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the corresponding period in 2024 resulted largely from higher average yield combined with higher average invested assets and cash. Average annual yield on investments before and after income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2025 increased compared to the corresponding period in 2024, primarily due to the sale of certain low-yielding investments with a total fair value of approximately |
The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of
Updated Information Regarding January 2025 Southern California Wildfires
In January 2025, extreme wind-driven wildfires caused widespread damage across parts of
The Company's catastrophe reinsurance program provides approximately
The Company is actively pursuing subrogation against Southern California Edison ("SCE") on the Eaton fire. In several previous wildfire events caused by utility company equipment, the Company sold its subrogation rights but has not determined whether it will do so with the Eaton event although the Company has been approached by brokers, banks and hedge funds with offers to purchase its subrogation rights on the Eaton fire. The Company recorded approximately
For utility caused
The Company is a member of the California FAIR Plan, the state's fire insurer of last resort. To the extent the FAIR Plan has losses exceeding its capital and reinsurance coverage, the FAIR Plan can assess its member companies for the shortfall based on each company's
The Company's catastrophe reinsurance treaty allows the Company to consider catastrophe events that occur within a 150-mile radius as a single occurrence or separate occurrences for reinsurance purposes. Although the Company recorded the Palisades and Eaton fires as one event for reinsurance purposes, it retains the ability to consider them as two separate events for reinsurance purposes. Under a two-event scenario, the Company may elect to use reinsurance limits of up to
As of March 31, 2025, the Company has paid out approximately
Mercury General Corporation and its subsidiaries are a multiple line insurance organization offering predominantly personal automobile and homeowners insurance through a network of independent producers and direct-to-consumer sales in many states. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.mercuryinsurance.com.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. Certain statements contained in this report are forward-looking statements based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by the Company. Actual results may differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the Company) and are subject to change based upon various factors, including but not limited to the following risks and uncertainties: changes in the demand for the Company's insurance products, inflation and general economic conditions, including general market risks associated with the Company's investment portfolio; the accuracy and adequacy of the Company's pricing methodologies; catastrophes in the markets served by the Company; uncertainties related to estimates, assumptions and projections generally; the possibility that actual loss experience may vary adversely from the actuarial estimates made to determine the Company's loss reserves in general; the Company's ability to obtain and the timing of the approval of premium rate changes for insurance policies issued in the states where it operates; legislation adverse to the automobile or homeowners insurance industry or business generally that may be enacted in the states where the Company operates; the Company's success in managing its business in non-
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||
SUMMARY OF OPERATING RESULTS | |||
(000's except per-share amounts and ratios) | |||
(unaudited) | |||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
2025 | 2024 | ||
Revenues: | |||
Net premiums earned | $ 1,283,069 | $ 1,166,679 | |
Net investment income | 81,479 | 65,018 | |
Net realized investment gains | 23,321 | 38,192 | |
Other | 6,010 | 4,196 | |
Total revenues | 1,393,879 | 1,274,085 | |
Expenses: | |||
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,220,813 | 903,965 | |
Policy acquisition costs | 228,720 | 196,040 | |
Other operating expenses | 79,453 | 77,087 | |
Interest | 7,189 | 7,773 | |
Total expenses | 1,536,175 | 1,184,865 | |
(Loss) income before income taxes | (142,296) | 89,220 | |
Income tax (benefit) expense | (33,969) | 15,758 | |
Net (loss) income | $ (108,327) | $ 73,462 | |
Basic average shares outstanding | 55,389 | 55,371 | |
Diluted average shares outstanding | 55,389 | 55,372 | |
Basic Per Share Data | |||
Net (loss) income | $ (1.96) | $ 1.33 | |
Net realized investment gains, net of tax | $ 0.33 | $ 0.54 | |
Diluted Per Share Data | |||
Net (loss) income | $ (1.96) | $ 1.33 | |
Net realized investment gains, net of tax | $ 0.33 | $ 0.54 | |
Operating Ratios-GAAP Basis | |||
Loss ratio | 95.1 % | 77.5 % | |
Expense ratio | 24.0 % | 23.4 % | |
Combined ratio (a) | 119.2 % | 100.9 % |
(a) | Combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2025 does not sum due to rounding. |
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS AND OTHER INFORMATION | |||
(000's except per-share amounts and ratios) | |||
March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||
(unaudited) | |||
ASSETS | |||
Investments, at fair value: | |||
Fixed maturity securities (amortized cost | $ 4,600,058 | $ 4,913,378 | |
Equity securities (cost | 588,341 | 879,175 | |
Short-term investments (cost | 208,143 | 283,817 | |
Total investments | 5,396,542 | 6,076,370 | |
Cash | 1,284,790 | 720,257 | |
Receivables: | |||
Premiums | 752,248 | 697,176 | |
Allowance for credit losses on premiums receivable | (6,600) | (6,400) | |
Premiums receivable, net of allowance for credit losses | 745,648 | 690,776 | |
Accrued investment income | 61,895 | 67,630 | |
Other | 151,306 | 62,118 | |
Total receivables | 958,849 | 820,524 | |
Reinsurance recoverables (net of allowance for credit losses | 623,599 | 28,613 | |
Deferred policy acquisition costs | 336,470 | 335,332 | |
Fixed assets, net | 141,650 | 138,177 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 17,637 | 13,407 | |
Current income taxes | 3,897 | — | |
Deferred income taxes | 51,893 | 45,854 | |
Goodwill | 42,796 | 42,796 | |
Other intangible assets, net | 7,468 | 7,682 | |
Other assets | 162,067 | 81,620 | |
Total assets | $ 9,027,658 | $ 8,310,632 | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves | $ 3,792,581 | $ 3,152,031 | |
Unearned premiums | 2,121,243 | 2,039,830 | |
Notes payable | 574,227 | 574,128 | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 172,393 | 242,118 | |
Operating lease liabilities | 17,859 | 13,580 | |
Current income taxes | — | 20,752 | |
Other liabilities | 528,744 | 321,669 | |
Shareholders' equity | 1,820,611 | 1,946,524 | |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ 9,027,658 | $ 8,310,632 | |
OTHER INFORMATION | |||
Common stock shares outstanding | 55,389 | 55,389 | |
Book value per share | $ 32.87 | $ 35.14 | |
Statutory surplus (a) | |||
Net premiums written to surplus ratio (a) | 2.88 | 2.65 | |
Debt to total capital ratio (b) | 24.0 % | 22.8 % | |
Portfolio duration (including all short-term instruments) (a) (c) | 3.8 years | 3.4 years | |
Policies-in-force (company-wide "PIF") (a) | |||
Personal Auto PIF | 1,024 | 1,019 | |
Homeowners PIF | 854 | 852 | |
Commercial Auto PIF | 37 | 39 |
(a) | Unaudited. |
(b) | Debt to Debt plus Shareholders' Equity (Debt at face value). |
(c) | Modified duration reflecting anticipated early calls. |
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULES | |||
(000's except per-share amounts and ratios) (unaudited) | |||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
2025 | 2024 | ||
Reconciliations of Comparable GAAP Measures to Operating Measures (a) | |||
Net premiums earned | $ 1,283,069 | $ 1,166,679 | |
Change in net unearned premiums | 31,311 | 118,305 | |
Net premiums written | $ 1,314,380 | $ 1,284,984 | |
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ 1,220,813 | $ 903,965 | |
Change in net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves | (285,112) | (75,419) | |
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ 935,701 | $ 828,546 | |
Net (loss) income | $ (108,327) | $ 73,462 | |
Less: Net realized investment gains | 23,321 | 38,192 | |
Tax on net realized investment gains (b) | 4,897 | 8,020 | |
Net realized investment gains, net of tax | 18,424 | 30,172 | |
Operating (loss) income | $ (126,751) | $ 43,290 | |
Per diluted share: | |||
Net (loss) income | $ (1.96) | $ 1.33 | |
Less: Net realized investment gains, net of tax | 0.33 | 0.54 | |
Operating (loss) income (c) | $ (2.29) | $ 0.78 | |
Combined ratio | 119.2 % | 100.9 % | |
Effect of estimated prior periods' loss development | 4.0 % | 0.5 % | |
Combined ratio-accident period basis (d) | 123.1 % | 101.4 % |
(a) | See "Information Regarding GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures." |
(b) | Based on federal statutory rate of |
(c) | Operating income per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2024 does not sum due to rounding. |
(d) | Combined ratio-accident period basis for the three months ended March 31, 2025 does not sum due to rounding. |
Information Regarding GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures
The Company has presented information within this document containing operating measures which in management's opinion provide investors with useful, industry specific information to help them evaluate, and perform meaningful comparisons of, the Company's performance, but that may not be presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures are not intended to replace, and should be read in conjunction with, the GAAP financial results.
Net income (loss) is the GAAP measure that is most directly comparable to operating income (loss). Operating income (loss) is net income (loss) excluding realized investment gains and losses, net of tax. Operating income (loss) is used by management along with the other components of net income (loss) to assess the Company's performance. Management uses operating income (loss) as an important measure to evaluate the results of the Company's insurance business. Management believes that operating income (loss) provides investors with a valuable measure of the Company's ongoing performance as it reveals trends in the Company's insurance business that may be obscured by the effect of net realized investment gains and losses. Realized investment gains and losses may vary significantly between periods and are generally driven by external economic developments such as capital market conditions. Accordingly, operating income (loss) highlights the results from ongoing operations and the underlying profitability of the Company's core insurance business. Operating income (loss), which is provided as supplemental information and should not be considered as a substitute for net income (loss), does not reflect the overall profitability of the Company's business. It should be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial results. See "Supplemental Schedules" above for a reconciliation of net income (loss) to operating income (loss).
Net premiums earned, the most directly comparable GAAP measure to net premiums written, represents the portion of premiums written that is recognized as revenue in the financial statements for the periods presented and earned on a pro-rata basis over the term of the policies. Net premiums written is a statutory financial measure which represents the premiums charged on policies issued during a fiscal period less any applicable reinsurance. Net premiums written is designed to determine production levels and is meant as supplemental information and not intended to replace net premiums earned. Such information should be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial results. See "Supplemental Schedules" above for a reconciliation of net premiums earned to net premiums written.
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to paid losses and loss adjustment expenses. Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses excludes the effects of changes in the loss reserve accounts. Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses is provided as supplemental information and is not intended to replace incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses. It should be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial results. See "Supplemental Schedules" above for a reconciliation of incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses to paid losses and loss adjustment expenses.
Combined ratio is the most directly comparable measure to combined ratio-accident period basis. Combined ratio-accident period basis is computed as the difference between two GAAP operating ratios: the combined ratio and prior accident periods' loss development ratio. Management believes that combined ratio-accident period basis is useful to investors and it is used to reveal the trends in the Company's results of operations that may be obscured by development on prior accident periods' loss reserves. Combined ratio-accident period basis is meant as supplemental information and is not intended to replace the GAAP combined ratio. It should be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial results. See "Supplemental Schedules" above for a reconciliation of GAAP combined ratio to combined ratio-accident period basis.
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SOURCE Mercury General Corporation