STOCK TITAN

Q1 2026 swing to profit at Mercury (NYSE: MCY) with dividend

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Mercury General Corporation reported a strong turnaround for the first quarter of 2026, moving to net income of $190.4 million from a net loss of $108.3 million a year earlier. Net premiums earned rose to $1.45 billion from $1.28 billion, while the GAAP combined ratio improved to 89.3% from 119.2%, reflecting far lower catastrophe losses of $93.0 million versus $447.0 million. Operating income reached $194.0 million, or $3.50 per diluted share, compared with an operating loss of $126.8 million, or $(2.29) per share, in the prior-year quarter. The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.3175 per share, payable June 25, 2026 to shareholders of record on June 11, 2026.

Positive

  • Return to profitability and strong earnings: Net income was $190.4 million for Q1 2026 versus a net loss of $108.3 million in Q1 2025, while operating income reached $194.0 million after an operating loss of $126.8 million a year earlier.
  • Underwriting performance improved sharply: The GAAP combined ratio fell to 89.3% from 119.2%, aided by catastrophe losses net of reinsurance declining to $93.0 million from $447.0 million, indicating a substantial improvement in insurance margins.
  • Stronger capital position and ongoing dividends: Shareholders’ equity increased to $2.59 billion with book value per share rising to $46.76 from $43.64, and the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.3175 per share.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

Mercury posts a sharp swing to profitability with improved underwriting and lower catastrophe losses.

Mercury General delivered a notable Q1 2026 recovery, with net premiums earned increasing to $1.45 billion and net income of $190.4 million versus a prior-year loss. The combined ratio improved to 89.3%, indicating profitable underwriting.

Catastrophe losses net of reinsurance dropped to $93.0 million from $447.0 million, driving much of the turnaround. Operating income of $194.0 million and a combined ratio-accident period basis of 89.9% suggest core insurance performance strengthened alongside favorable loss trends.

The balance sheet also showed higher shareholders’ equity of $2.59 billion and book value per share of $46.76 as of March 31, 2026. The Board maintained capital returns via a quarterly dividend of $0.3175 per share, with payment scheduled for June 25, 2026.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Net premiums earned $1,452.4M Three months ended March 31, 2026 vs $1,283.1M in 2025
Net income $190.4M Q1 2026 net income vs $(108.3)M loss in Q1 2025
Operating income $194.0M Q1 2026 operating income vs $(126.8)M operating loss in 2025
Combined ratio 89.3% Q1 2026 combined ratio vs 119.2% in Q1 2025
Catastrophe losses net of reinsurance $93.0M Q1 2026 vs $447.0M in Q1 2025
Dividend per share $0.3175 Quarterly dividend payable June 25, 2026
Book value per share $46.76 As of March 31, 2026 vs $43.64 at December 31, 2025
Total revenues $1,539.8M Q1 2026 total revenues vs $1,393.9M in Q1 2025
combined ratio financial
"Combined ratio (5) | | | 89.3 | % | | | 119.2 | %"
The combined ratio is a way insurance companies measure how well they are doing by adding up all their costs and claims and comparing them to the money they earn from premiums. If the ratio is below 100%, it means the company is making a profit; if it's above 100%, they are losing money. It helps see if an insurance company is financially healthy or not.
operating income financial
"Operating income (loss) (1) | | $ | 194,010 | | | $ | (126,751 | )"
Operating income is the profit a company earns from its regular business activities after subtracting the costs directly related to running the business, such as wages, rent, and supplies. It shows how well the core operations are performing, ignoring income or expenses from non-regular activities like investments or one-time events. Investors use it to assess the company's efficiency and profitability from its main work.
net premiums written financial
"Net premiums written (1) (2) | | $ | 1,550,118 | | | $ | 1,314,380"
Net premiums written is the total amount of insurance premium a company has agreed to collect from customers for new and renewed policies during a period, after subtracting premiums it passes on to other insurers (reinsurance) and cancellations. It matters to investors because it shows the insurer’s actual sales growth and risk retained—like a retailer’s sales after returns and wholesale transfers—so rising net premiums written can signal stronger future revenue and underwriting exposure.
catastrophe losses net of reinsurance financial
"Catastrophe losses net of reinsurance (4) | | $ | 93,000 | | | $ | 447,000"
statutory surplus financial
"Statutory surplus (a) | | $ | 2.58 billion | | | $ | 2.39 billion"
Statutory surplus is the cushion an insurance company has after subtracting the amounts regulators say it must keep on hand to pay claims from the assets they allow for regulatory accounting. Think of it like a household emergency fund beyond the bills you’re legally required to pay; it shows extra financial strength. Investors watch it because a larger statutory surplus means a company is better able to absorb losses, support dividends or growth, and meet regulatory expectations.
policies-in-force financial
"Policies-in-force (company-wide “PIF”) (a) | | | | | | | |"
Policies-in-force are the total count of insurance contracts that are currently active and providing coverage. For investors, this is like the number of active subscriptions a company has: it indicates the steady pool of business that can generate premiums, helps gauge growth or attrition when compared over time, and signals revenue stability and future profit potential.
Total revenues $1,539.8M
Net income $190.4M
Net premiums earned $1,452.4M up 13.2% year over year
Combined ratio 89.3% improved by 29.9 points
Catastrophe losses net of reinsurance $93.0M down 79.2%
CHX 0000064996 false 0000064996 2026-05-05 2026-05-05 0000064996 exch:XNYS 2026-05-05 2026-05-05 0000064996 exch:XCHI 2026-05-05 2026-05-05
 
 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 5, 2026

Commission File No. 001-12257

 

 

MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

California   95-2211612

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

4484 Wilshire Boulevard  
Los Angeles, California   90010
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (323937-1060

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14.a-12)

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of Each Exchange
on Which Registered

Common Stock   MCY   New York Stock Exchange
Common Stock   MCY   New York Stock Exchange Texas

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 
 


Item 2.02.

Results of Operations and Financial Condition

The following information is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02, “Results of Operations and Financial Condition,” and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Such information, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing of Mercury General Corporation (the “Company”), whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

On May 5, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.

 

99.1    Press Release, dated May 5, 2026, issued by Mercury General Corporation, furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K.
104.    Cover page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL)


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
Date: May 5, 2026  
    By:  

/s/ Theodore R. Stalick

    Name:   Theodore R. Stalick
    Its:   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO  

4484 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90010

(323) 937-1060

Fax (323) 857-7125

  
 

Press Release

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Theodore Stalick, SVP/CFO

(323) 937-1060

www.mercuryinsurance.com

For Release: May 5, 2026

Mercury General Corporation Announces First

Quarter Results and Declares Quarterly Dividend

Los Angeles, California…Mercury General Corporation (NYSE: MCY) reported today for the first quarter of 2026:

Consolidated Highlights

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,     Change  
     2026     2025     $     %  

(000’s except per-share amounts and ratios)

        

Net premiums earned (2)

   $ 1,452,413     $ 1,283,069     $ 169,344       13.2  

Net premiums written (1) (2)

   $ 1,550,118     $ 1,314,380     $ 235,738       17.9  

Direct premiums written (1)

   $ 1,572,741     $ 1,445,443     $ 127,298       8.8  

Net realized investment (losses) gains, net of tax (3)

   $ (3,589   $ 18,424     $ (22,013     (119.5

Net income (loss)

   $ 190,421     $ (108,327   $ 298,748       NM  

Net income (loss) per diluted share

   $ 3.44     $ (1.96   $ 5.4       NM  

Operating income (loss) (1)

   $ 194,010     $ (126,751   $ 320,761       NM  

Operating income (loss) per diluted share (1)

   $ 3.50     $ (2.29   $ 5.79       NM  

Catastrophe losses net of reinsurance (4)

   $ 93,000     $ 447,000     $ (354,000     (79.2

Combined ratio (5)

     89.3     119.2     —        (29.9 ) pts 

NM = Not Meaningful

 

(1)

These measures are not based on U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), are defined in “Information Regarding GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures” and are reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in “Supplemental Schedules.”

(2)

Net premiums earned and net premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2025 include $76 million and $127 million, respectively, of increased ceded reinsurance premiums due to the Company’s reinsurance treaty being fully used up and from the reinstatement of the Company’s catastrophe reinsurance benefits following the Palisades and Eaton wildfires in January 2025.

(3)

Net realized investment (losses) gains before tax was $(5) million and $23 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The changes in fair value of the Company’s investments are recorded as part of net realized investment gains or losses in its consolidated statements of operations due to the adoption of the fair value option under GAAP.

(4)

The majority of 2026 catastrophe losses resulted from adverse reserve development on the Palisades and Eaton wildfires, and storms in California, Texas and Oklahoma. The majority of 2025 catastrophe losses resulted from the Palisades and Eaton wildfires.

 

1


(5)

The Company experienced favorable development of approximately $9 million and $51 million on prior accident years’ loss and loss adjustment expense reserves for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The favorable development for the first quarter of 2026 was primarily attributable to lower than estimated losses in the automobile line of insurance business, partially offset by adverse development on the homeowners line of insurance business, including adverse development on the prior years’ catastrophe losses. The favorable development for the first quarter of 2025 was primarily attributable to lower than estimated losses in the automobile line of insurance business, and the homeowners line of insurance business, including favorable development on prior years’ catastrophe losses.

Investment Results

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2026     2025  

(000’s except average annual yield)

    

Average invested assets at cost (1)

   $ 6,643,376     $ 5,594,499  

Net investment income (2) (3)

    

Before income taxes

   $ 85,636     $ 81,479  

After income taxes

   $ 72,859     $ 67,850  

Average annual yield on investments (2) (3)

    

Before income taxes

     4.5     4.9

After income taxes

     3.9     4.1

 

(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 $11.2 million and $13.1 million ($8.9 million and $10.3 million after tax) for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. Average annual yield on investments does not include interest income earned on cash.

(3)

Higher net investment income before and after income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the corresponding period in 2025 resulted largely from higher average invested assets. Average annual yield on investments before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2026 decreased from the corresponding period in 2025, primarily due to an increase in tax-exempt investments with lower pre-tax yields, combined with lower yields on floating rate investments resulting from lower short-term market interest rates. Average annual yield on investments after income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2026 decreased from the corresponding period in 2025, primarily due to lower yields on floating rate investments resulting from lower short-term market interest rates.

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.3175 per share. The dividend will be paid on June 25, 2026 to shareholders of record on June 11, 2026.

 

2


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, including subrogation recovery estimates; 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-California states; the presence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing and marketing efforts; the Company’s ability to successfully allocate the resources used in the states with reduced or exited operations to its operations in other states; changes in driving patterns and loss trends; acts of war and terrorist activities; effects of changing climate conditions; pandemics, epidemics, widespread health emergencies, or outbreaks of infectious diseases; court decisions and trends in litigation and health care and auto repair costs; changes in global trade policies, including trade barriers or restrictions; and legal, cybersecurity, regulatory and litigation risks. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a more detailed discussion of some of the foregoing risks and uncertainties, see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2026.

 

 

 

3


MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUMMARY OF OPERATING RESULTS

(000’s except per-share amounts and ratios)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2026     2025  

Revenues:

    

Net premiums earned

   $ 1,452,413     $ 1,283,069  

Net investment income

     85,636       81,479  

Net realized investment (losses) gains

     (4,543     23,321  

Other

     6,303       6,010  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     1,539,809       1,393,879  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     932,950       1,220,813  

Policy acquisition costs

     240,502       228,720  

Other operating expenses

     123,887       79,453  

Interest

     6,817       7,189  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,304,156       1,536,175  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     235,653       (142,296

Income tax expense (benefit)

     45,232       (33,969
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 190,421     $ (108,327
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic average shares outstanding

     55,389       55,389  

Diluted average shares outstanding

     55,389       55,389  

Basic Per Share Data

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 3.44     $ (1.96

Net realized investment (losses) gains, net of tax

   $ (0.06   $ 0.33  

Diluted Per Share Data

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 3.44     $ (1.96

Net realized investment (losses) gains, net of tax

   $ (0.06   $ 0.33  

Operating Ratios-GAAP Basis

    

Loss ratio

     64.2     95.1

Expense ratio

     25.1     24.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Combined ratio (a)

     89.3     119.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2025 does not sum due to rounding.

 

4


MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS AND OTHER INFORMATION

(000’s except per-share amounts and ratios)

 

     March 31, 2026     December 31, 2025  
     (unaudited)        
ASSETS     

Investments, at fair value:

    

Fixed maturity securities (amortized cost $5,534,785; $5,449,726)

   $ 5,499,834     $ 5,430,251  

Equity securities (cost $801,687; $728,460)

     883,623       812,787  

Short-term investments (cost $441,810; $336,978)

     441,841       336,992  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

     6,825,298       6,580,030  

Cash

     1,350,883       1,315,574  

Receivables:

    

Premiums

     825,000       751,554  

Allowance for credit losses on premiums receivable

     (6,100     (6,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Premiums receivable, net of allowance for credit losses

     818,900       745,554  

Accrued investment income

     73,380       73,004  

Other

     86,557       86,508  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total receivables

     978,837       905,066  

Reinsurance recoverables (net of allowance for credit losses $2; $39)

     47,771       109,672  

Deferred policy acquisition costs

     366,573       359,724  

Fixed assets, net

     150,854       146,880  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     12,153       12,125  

Deferred income taxes

     31,821       30,637  

Goodwill

     42,796       42,796  

Other intangible assets, net

     6,613       6,827  

Other assets

     59,266       51,338  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 9,872,865     $ 9,560,669  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

   $ 3,646,201     $ 3,633,338  

Unearned premiums

     2,353,558       2,255,935  

Notes payable

     574,626       574,527  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     394,423       448,703  

Operating lease liabilities

     12,652       12,328  

Current income taxes

     77,180       30,770  

Other liabilities

     224,115       187,793  

Shareholders’ equity

     2,590,110       2,417,275  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 9,872,865     $ 9,560,669  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
OTHER INFORMATION     

Common stock shares outstanding

     55,389       55,389  

Book value per share

   $ 46.76     $ 43.64  

Statutory surplus (a)

   $ 2.58 billion     $ 2.39 billion  

Net premiums written to surplus ratio (a)

     2.31       2.39  

Debt to total capital ratio (b)

     18.2     19.2

Portfolio duration (including all short-term instruments) (a) (c)

     4.4 years       4.4 years  

Policies-in-force (company-wide “PIF”) (a)

    

Personal Auto PIF

     1,057       1,044  

Homeowners PIF

     906       883  

Commercial Auto PIF

     34       34  

All Other PIF (d)

     311       304  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total PIF

     2,308       2,265  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Unaudited.

(b)

Debt to Debt plus Shareholders’ Equity (Debt at face value).

(c)

Modified duration reflecting anticipated early calls.

(d)

All Other PIF represents the combined PIF of all the other smaller lines of insurance business, which in aggregate accounted for only 6.1% of the total company-wide direct premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2026.

 

5


SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULES             

(000’s except per-share amounts and ratios)

(unaudited)

            
     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2026     2025  

Reconciliations of Comparable GAAP Measures to Operating Measures (a)

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 1,452,413     $ 1,283,069  

Change in net unearned premiums

     97,705       31,311  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 1,550,118     $ 1,314,380  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Assumed premiums written

   $ (39,965   $ (25,733

Ceded premiums written

   $ 62,588     $ 156,796  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Direct premiums written

   $ 1,572,741     $ 1,445,443  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 932,950     $ 1,220,813  

Change in net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

     (13,422     (285,112
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 919,528     $ 935,701  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 190,421     $ (108,327
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: Net realized investment (losses) gains

     (4,543     23,321  

Tax on net realized investment (losses) gains (b)

     (954     4,897  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized investment (losses) gains, net of tax

     (3,589     18,424  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 194,010     $ (126,751
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per diluted share:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 3.44     $ (1.96

Less: Net realized investment (losses) gains, net of tax

     (0.06     0.33  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 3.50     $ (2.29
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Combined ratio

     89.3     119.2

Effect of estimated prior periods’ loss development

     0.6     4.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Combined ratio-accident period basis (c)

     89.9     123.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

See “Information Regarding GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures.”

(b)

Based on federal statutory rate of 21%.

(c)

Combined ratio-accident period basis for the three months ended March 31, 2025 does not sum due to rounding.

 

6


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 and direct 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 net of any applicable reinsurance; direct premiums written is such a measure before any applicable reinsurance. Net premiums written and direct premiums written are designed to determine production levels and are 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 and direct 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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FAQ

How did Mercury General (MCY) perform financially in Q1 2026?

Mercury General reported strong Q1 2026 results with net income of $190.4 million versus a net loss of $108.3 million a year earlier. Net premiums earned rose to $1.45 billion, and total revenues reached $1.54 billion, reflecting higher business volumes and better underwriting.

What happened to Mercury General’s combined ratio in Q1 2026?

The combined ratio improved significantly to 89.3% in Q1 2026 from 119.2% in Q1 2025. This measure, which combines loss and expense ratios, indicates that underwriting operations were profitable and reflects lower catastrophe losses and improved loss experience.

How did catastrophe losses affect Mercury General’s Q1 2026 results?

Catastrophe losses net of reinsurance were $93.0 million in Q1 2026, down from $447.0 million a year earlier. This sharp reduction materially supported the move from a prior-year net loss to substantial net income and contributed to the stronger combined ratio.

What dividend did Mercury General (MCY) declare with its Q1 2026 results?

The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.3175 per share. The dividend is scheduled to be paid on June 25, 2026 to shareholders of record as of June 11, 2026, continuing the company’s pattern of returning capital to shareholders.

How did Mercury General’s investment income look in Q1 2026?

Net investment income before income taxes was $85.6 million in Q1 2026 compared with $81.5 million in Q1 2025. After taxes, net investment income was $72.9 million, supported by average invested assets at cost of about $6.64 billion.

What changes occurred in Mercury General’s book value and capital ratios?

Book value per share increased to $46.76 at March 31, 2026 from $43.64 at year-end 2025. Statutory surplus rose to $2.58 billion, while the net premiums written to surplus ratio was 2.31 and the debt to total capital ratio was 18.2%.

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