NI Holdings, Inc. Reports Results for Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

NI Holdings (NASDAQ: NODK) reported Q3 2024 results with direct written premiums of $67.7 million, slightly down from $67.9 million in Q3 2023. Net earned premiums increased 9.0% to $83.3 million. The company's combined ratio deteriorated to 111.0% from 100.8%, impacted by increased non-catastrophe weather-related losses and CEO transition costs. Net investment income grew 32.5% to $2.8 million. The company reported a basic loss per share of ($0.13) compared to earnings of $0.03 in the same period last year. Home and Farm segment showed growth of 11.6%, while Non-Standard Auto declined by 35.8%.

Positive

• Net earned premiums increased 9.0% to $83.3 million
• Net investment income grew 32.5% to $2.8 million
• Home and Farm segment grew 11.6% driven by higher rates and new business

Negative

• Combined ratio worsened to 111.0% from 100.8%
• Reported net loss of $2.7 million vs. profit in Q3 2023
• Non-Standard Auto segment declined 35.8%
• Unfavorable prior year development in Non-Standard Auto segment
• Higher weather-related losses in North Dakota

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 results reveal significant operational challenges. The combined ratio deteriorated to 111.0% from 100.8%, indicating underwriting losses. Direct written premiums remained nearly flat at $67.7 million, with concerning declines in Non-Standard Auto (-35.8%). The company posted a net loss of $2.7 million or $0.13 per share.

Key concerns include unfavorable prior year development in Non-Standard Auto, elevated non-catastrophe weather losses in Home and Farm and one-time CEO transition costs. The bright spot is net investment income, up 32.5% to $2.8 million due to higher fixed income yields. The sale of Westminster American signals a strategic refocus, but near-term profitability remains challenging given the 107.0% combined ratio for the first nine months.

Insurance Industry Analyst

The operational metrics show concerning trends in NODK's core business. The 8.6 point increase in Loss and LAE ratio to 78.2% reflects deteriorating underwriting quality. While Home and Farm segment showed growth of 11.6%, this was driven by rate increases rather than organic expansion. The sharp decline in Non-Standard Auto suggests potential market share losses and underwriting challenges.

The expense ratio increase to 32.8% indicates operational inefficiencies. With a market cap of $328 million, the negative ROE of -4.5% and worsening combined ratio trend require significant corrective actions to restore profitability.

FARGO, N.D., Nov. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NI Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: NODK) announced today results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Summary of Third Quarter 2024 Results – Continuing Operations
(All comparisons vs. continuing operations for the third quarter of 2023, unless noted otherwise)

• Direct written premiums of $67.7 million compared to $67.9 million. This slight reduction was driven by Non-Standard Auto (-35.8%) due to lower new business and retention, partially offset by Home and Farm (11.6%) driven by higher rate and insured values along with new business growth in North Dakota.
• Net earned premiums of $83.3 million, up 9.0%.
• Combined ratio of 111.0% versus 100.8%, driven by increased non-catastrophe weather-related losses in Home and Farm, partially offset by improved performance in Private Passenger Auto. The current period was also impacted by a one-time charge related to the CEO transition. Both periods were impacted by unfavorable prior year development in Non-Standard Auto.
• Net investment income increased 32.5% to $2.8 million, driven by higher fixed income reinvestment rates.
• Basic loss per share of ($0.13) compared to basic earnings per share of $0.03.
  

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Dollars in thousands, except per share data (unaudited)	2024	2023	Change		2024	2023	Change
Direct written premiums	$67,704	$67,917	(0.3%)		$269,217	$261,865	2.8%
Net earned premiums	$83,270	$76,418	9.0%		$238,323	$218,124	9.3%
Loss and LAE ratio	78.2%	69.6%	8.6 pts		73.3%	70.8%	2.5 pts
Expense ratio	32.8%	31.2%	1.6 pts		33.7%	32.5%	1.2 pts
Combined ratio	111.0%	100.8%	10.2 pts		107.0%	103.3%	3.7 pts
Net income (loss) attributable to NI Holdings	$(2,705)	$231	NM		$(15,908)	$(12,101)	31.5%
Continuing operations	$(2,705)	$738	NM		$(3,248)	$379	NM
Discontinued operations	-	$(507)	NM		$(1,512)	$(12,480)	NM
Loss on sale of discontinued operations	-	-	NM		$(11,148)	-	NM
Return on average equity	(4.5%)	1.3%	(5.8) pts		(1.9%)	0.2%	(2.1) pts
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$(0.13)	$0.01	NM		$(0.76)	$(0.57)	33.3%
Continuing operations	$(0.13)	$0.03	NM		$(0.15)	$0.02	NM
NM = not meaningful

Management Commentary

“The third quarter was impacted by unfavorable prior year development in our Non-Standard Auto segment, elevated non-recurring costs related to our CEO transition, and higher weather-related losses in North Dakota,” said Cindy Launer, Interim Chief Executive Officer. “Despite these challenges, we remain confident in our underlying business and focused on executing our strategic underwriting initiatives. The second quarter sale of Westminster American has enabled us to refocus our efforts on our core business, which we believe will help us return to profitability over time.”

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Filings
The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and latest financial supplement can be found on the Company’s website at www.niholdingsinc.com. The Company’s filings with the SEC can also be found at www.sec.gov.

About the Company
NI Holdings, Inc. is an insurance holding company. The company is a North Dakota business corporation that is the stock holding company of Nodak Insurance Company and became such in connection with the conversion of Nodak Mutual Insurance Company from a mutual to stock form of organization and the creation of a mutual holding company. The conversion was consummated on March 13, 2017. Immediately following the conversion, all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Nodak Insurance Company were issued to Nodak Mutual Group, Inc., which then contributed the shares to NI Holdings in exchange for 55% of the outstanding shares of common stock of NI Holdings. Nodak Insurance Company then became a wholly-owned stock subsidiary of NI Holdings. NI Holdings’ financial statements are the consolidated financial results of NI Holdings; Nodak Insurance, including Nodak’s wholly-owned subsidiaries American West Insurance Company, Primero Insurance Company, and Battle Creek Insurance Company; Direct Auto Insurance Company; and Westminster Insurance Company until the date of sale.

Safe Harbor Statement
Some of the statements included in this news release, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, including investment performance and yields, business prospects, growth and operating strategies, the impact of underwriting changes on operating results, our ability to return to profitability, and similar matters, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially include: our ability to maintain profitable operations, the adequacy of the loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, business and economic conditions, interest rates, competition from various insurance and other financial businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, adverse and catastrophic weather events, including the impacts of climate change, legal and judicial developments, changes in regulatory requirements, our ability to integrate and manage successfully the insurance companies we may acquire from time to time, the impact of inflation on our operating results, and other risks we describe in the periodic reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that we may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

For a detailed discussion of the risk factors that could affect our actual results, please refer to the risk factors identified in our SEC reports, including, but not limited to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC.

Investor Relations Contact:
Seth Daggett
Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
701-298-4348
IR@nodakins.com

FAQ

What was NI Holdings (NODK) earnings per share in Q3 2024?

NI Holdings reported a basic loss per share of ($0.13) in Q3 2024, compared to earnings per share of $0.03 in Q3 2023.

What was NODK's combined ratio in Q3 2024?

The combined ratio for Q3 2024 was 111.0%, an increase from 100.8% in Q3 2023.

How much were NI Holdings (NODK) direct written premiums in Q3 2024?

Direct written premiums were $67.7 million in Q3 2024, slightly down from $67.9 million in Q3 2023.

What was NODK's net investment income growth in Q3 2024?

Net investment income increased 32.5% to $2.8 million, driven by higher fixed income reinvestment rates.