RenaissanceRe Reports Net Income Available to Common Shareholders of $32.7 Million for the Third Quarter of 2018, or $0.82 Per Diluted Common Share

Quarterly Operating Income Available to Common Shareholders of $20.6 Million, or $0.52 Per Diluted Common Share

PEMBROKE, Bermuda--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: RNR) (the “Company” or “RenaissanceRe”) today reported net income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders of $32.7 million, or $0.82 per diluted common share, in the third quarter of 2018, compared to a net loss attributable to RenaissanceRe common shareholders of $504.8 million, or $12.75 per diluted common share, in the third quarter of 2017. Operating income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders was $20.6 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share, in the third quarter of 2018, compared to an operating loss attributable to RenaissanceRe common shareholders of $544.2 million, or $13.74 per diluted common share, in the third quarter of 2017. The Company reported an annualized return on average common equity of 3.1% and an annualized operating return on average common equity of 1.9% in the third quarter of 2018, compared to negative 47.2% and negative 50.8%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2017. Book value per common share increased $0.65, or 0.6%, to $105.21 in the third quarter of 2018, compared to an 11.6% decrease in the third quarter of 2017. Tangible book value per common share plus accumulated dividends increased $1.04, or 1.1%, to $117.57 in the third quarter of 2018, compared to a 12.0% decrease in the third quarter of 2017.

Kevin J. O’Donnell, President and Chief Executive Officer of RenaissanceRe, commented: “Once again this quarter, our industry experienced multiple large catastrophic events around the world. It is a strong testament to our strategy that we were able to support our customers by promptly paying their claims while still recording positive net and operating income, as well as growth in tangible book value per share plus accumulated dividends. Our track record of sourcing large, one of a kind opportunities to provide bespoke solutions to key customers remains unparalleled in the industry. We remain confident in our strategy and our ability to deliver long-term shareholder value.”

THIRD QUARTER 2018 SUMMARY

• Net negative impact on the Company’s net income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders of $151.9 million from Typhoons Jebi, Mangkut and Trami, Hurricane Florence and the wildfires in California during the third quarter of 2018 (collectively, the “Q3 2018 Catastrophe Events”).
• Underwriting loss of $29.0 million and a combined ratio of 105.5% in the third quarter of 2018, compared to an underwriting loss of $793.2 million and a combined ratio of 244.8% in the third quarter of 2017. Principally impacting the Company’s underwriting results in the third quarter of 2018 were the Q3 2018 Catastrophe Events which resulted in an underwriting loss of $178.0 million and added 34.4 percentage points to the combined ratio. The third quarter of 2017 underwriting loss included the impacts of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, the Mexico City Earthquake and certain losses associated with aggregate loss contracts (collectively, the “Q3 2017 Large Loss Events”), which resulted in an underwriting loss of $838.7 million and added 156.0 percentage points to the combined ratio in the third quarter of 2017.
• Gross premiums written decreased by $14.6 million, or 2.3%, to $625.7 million, in the third quarter of 2018, compared to the third quarter of 2017, driven by a decrease of $24.0 million in the Property segment, partially offset by an increase of $9.4 million in the Casualty and Specialty segment. Included in gross premiums written in the third quarter of 2018 was $16.9 million of reinstatement premiums written associated with the Q3 2018 Catastrophe Events, and $102.3 million of gross premiums written associated with certain large, non-recurring reinsurance transactions noted below, each within the Company’s Property segment. Included in the gross premiums written in the third quarter of 2017 was $169.8 million of reinstatement premiums written associated with the Q3 2017 Large Loss Events.
• Net premiums earned and net income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders increased by $54.2 million and $41.9 million, respectively, as a result of certain large, non-recurring reinsurance transactions which are reflected in the Property segment. These transactions highlight the Company’s differentiated strategy and capability to provide bespoke or large solutions for its clients.
• Total investment result was a gain of $94.3 million in the third quarter of 2018, generating an annualized total investment return of 3.3%. The Company’s portfolio of fixed maturity and short term investments had a yield to maturity of 3.1% at September 30, 2018.

Net Negative Impact

Net negative impact includes the sum of estimates of net claims and claim expenses incurred, earned reinstatement premiums assumed and ceded, lost profit commissions and redeemable noncontrolling interest. The Company’s estimates of net negative impact are based on a review of its potential exposures, preliminary discussions with certain counterparties and catastrophe modeling techniques. The Company’s actual net negative impact, both individually and in the aggregate, will vary from these estimates, perhaps materially. Changes in these estimates will be recorded in the period in which they occur.

Meaningful uncertainty remains regarding the estimates and the nature and extent of the losses associated with the Q3 2018 Catastrophe Events, driven by the magnitude and recent occurrence of each event, relatively limited claims data received to date, the contingent nature of business interruption and other exposures, potential uncertainties relating to reinsurance recoveries and other factors inherent in loss estimation, among other things.

The financial data below provides additional information detailing the net negative impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the third quarter of 2018 resulting from the Q3 2018 Catastrophe Events.

Underwriting Results by Segment

Property Segment

Gross premiums written in the Property segment were $301.4 million in the third quarter of 2018, a decrease of $24.0 million, or 7.4%, compared to $325.4 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Gross premiums written in the catastrophe class of business were $212.3 million in the third quarter of 2018, a decrease of $31.2 million, or 12.8%, compared to the third quarter of 2017. Included in the catastrophe class of business in the third quarter of 2018 was $102.3 million of gross premiums written associated with the large, non-recurring reinsurance transactions noted above and $16.8 million of reinstatement premiums written associated with the Q3 2018 Catastrophe Events, as compared to the third quarter of 2017 which included $162.2 million of reinstatement premiums written associated with the Q3 2017 Large Loss Events. Excluding the reinstatement premiums written in each period associated with the respective catastrophe events, gross premiums written in the catastrophe class of business would have increased by $114.3 million, or 140.6%, which was primarily a result of expanded participation on existing transactions and certain new transactions we believe have comparably attractive risk-return attributes, including the large, non-recurring reinsurance transactions noted above.

Gross premiums written in the other property class of business were $89.1 million in the third quarter of 2018, an increase of $7.2 million, or 8.8%, compared to the third quarter of 2017. The increase in gross premiums written in the other property class of business was primarily driven by growth in the Lloyd’s underwriting platform, both from existing relationships and through new opportunities.

Ceded premiums written in the Property segment were $68.8 million in the third quarter of 2018, an increase of $12.8 million, or 22.8%, compared to the third quarter of 2017. The increase in ceded premiums written was principally due to additional purchases of retrocessional reinsurance as part of the management of the Company’s risk portfolio.

The Property segment incurred an underwriting loss of $43.9 million and had a combined ratio of 115.0% in the third quarter of 2018, compared to an underwriting loss of $750.2 million and a combined ratio of 322.7% in the third quarter of 2017. Principally impacting the Property segment underwriting result and combined ratio in the third quarter of 2018 were the Q3 2018 Catastrophe Events, which resulted in a net negative impact on the underwriting result of $177.0 million and added 63.2 percentage points to the combined ratio. In addition, the underwriting results in the third quarter of 2018 were positively impacted by $52.9 million of underwriting income associated with the large, non-recurring reinsurance transactions noted above. In comparison, the third quarter of 2017 was impacted by the Q3 2017 Large Loss Events which resulted in a net negative impact on the underwriting result of $808.6 million and added 252.0 percentage points to the Property segment combined ratio.

Casualty and Specialty Segment

Gross premiums written in the Casualty and Specialty segment were $324.3 million in the third quarter of 2018, an increase of $9.4 million, or 3.0%, compared to the third quarter of 2017. The increase was principally due to continued and selective growth from new business opportunities within certain classes of business.

The Casualty and Specialty segment generated underwriting income of $14.9 million and had a combined ratio of 93.8% in the third quarter of 2018, compared to an underwriting loss of $43.1 million and a combined ratio of 120.4%, in the third quarter of 2017. The improvement in the Casualty and Specialty segment combined ratio was principally driven by a 23.5 percentage point decrease in the net claims and claim expense ratio, primarily the result of significant net claims and claim expenses associated with the Q3 2017 Large Loss Events in the third quarter of 2017. In addition, the Casualty and Specialty segment was favorably impacted by a 3.1 percentage point decrease in the underwriting expense ratio, as a result of decreases in both the net acquisition ratio and operating expense ratio.

During the third quarter of 2018, the Casualty and Specialty segment experienced net favorable development on prior accident years net claims and claim expenses of $7.2 million, or 3.0 percentage points, compared to net adverse development of $4.8 million, or 2.2 percentage points, in the third quarter of 2017. The net favorable development during the third quarter of 2018 was principally driven by reported losses generally coming in lower than expected on attritional net claims and claim expenses across a number of lines of business.

Other Items

• The Company’s total investment result, which includes the sum of net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments, was a gain of $94.3 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to a gain of $82.3 million in the third quarter of 2017, an increase of $12.0 million. The increase in the total investment result was principally due to an increase in net investment income, which was partially offset by lower realized and unrealized gains on investments. The increase in net investment income was principally driven by higher average invested assets and higher interest rates within the Company’s fixed maturity and short term investments portfolios, combined with higher returns in the Company’s catastrophe bond portfolio included in other investments. Conversely, net realized and unrealized gains were lower in the third quarter of 2018, compared to the third quarter of 2017, as a result of the higher interest rates experienced during the current quarter, generating both realized and unrealized losses in the Company’s fixed maturity investments portfolio.
• Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in the third quarter of 2018 was $6.4 million, compared to a net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests of $204.3 million in the third quarter of 2017. The improvement was principally due to DaVinciRe generating underwriting income in the third quarter of 2018, compared to significant underwriting losses in the third quarter of 2017 driven by the Q3 2017 Large Loss Events. The Company’s ownership in DaVinciRe was 22.1% at September 30, 2018, compared to 23.5% at September 30, 2017. The Company expects its noncontrolling economic ownership in DaVinciRe to fluctuate over time.
• The Company recognized income tax expense of $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to an income tax benefit of $19.0 million in the third quarter of 2017, which was principally driven by the underwriting losses associated with the Q3 2017 Large Loss Events.
• The Company currently estimates, on a preliminary basis, that losses from Hurricane Michael will have an estimated net negative impact on net income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders of approximately $100.0 million on its fourth quarter 2018 results of operations.

This Press Release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures including “operating income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders”, “operating income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders per common share - diluted”, “operating return on average common equity - annualized”, “tangible book value per common share” and “tangible book value per common share plus accumulated dividends.” A reconciliation of such measures to the most comparable GAAP figures in accordance with Regulation G is presented in the attached supplemental financial data.

Please refer to the “Investors - Financial Reports - Financial Supplements” section of the Company’s website at www.renre.com for a copy of the Financial Supplement which includes additional information on the Company’s financial performance.

RenaissanceRe will host a conference call on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss this release. Live broadcast of the conference call will be available through the “Investors - Webcasts & Presentations” section of the Company’s website at www.renre.com.

About RenaissanceRe

RenaissanceRe is a global provider of reinsurance and insurance that specializes in matching well-structured risks with efficient sources of capital. The Company provides property, casualty and specialty reinsurance and certain insurance solutions to customers, principally through intermediaries. Established in 1993, the Company has offices in Bermuda, Ireland, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any forward-looking statements made in this Press Release reflect RenaissanceRe’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to numerous factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements, including the following: the failure to obtain regulatory approvals or satisfy other conditions to completion of the proposed Tokio Millennium Re transaction; risks that the proposed Tokio Millennium Re transaction disrupts current plans and operations; the ability to recognize the benefits of the proposed Tokio Millenium Re transaction; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the proposed Tokio Millennium Re transaction; the frequency and severity of catastrophic and other events that the Company covers; the effectiveness of the Company’s claims and claim expense reserving process; the Company’s ability to maintain its financial strength ratings; the effect of climate change on the Company’s business; collection on claimed retrocessional coverage, and new retrocessional reinsurance being available on acceptable terms and providing the coverage that we intended to obtain; the effects of U.S. tax reform legislation and possible future tax reform legislation and regulations, including changes to the tax treatment of the Company’s shareholders or investors in the Company’s joint ventures or other entities the Company manages; the effect of emerging claims and coverage issues; continued soft reinsurance underwriting market conditions; the Company’s reliance on a small and decreasing number of reinsurance brokers and other distribution services for the preponderance of its revenue; the Company’s exposure to credit loss from counterparties in the normal course of business; the effect of continued challenging economic conditions throughout the world; a contention by the Internal Revenue Service that Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd., or any of the Company’s other Bermuda subsidiaries, is subject to taxation in the U.S.; the success of any of the Company’s strategic investments or acquisitions, including the Company’s ability to manage its operations as its product and geographical diversity increases; the Company’s ability to retain key senior officers and to attract or retain the executives and employees necessary to manage its business; the performance of the Company’s investment portfolio; losses that the Company could face from terrorism, political unrest or war; the effect of cybersecurity risks, including technology breaches or failure on the Company’s business; the Company’s ability to successfully implement its business strategies and initiatives; the Company’s ability to determine the impairments taken on investments; the effect of inflation; the ability of the Company’s ceding companies and delegated authority counterparties to accurately assess the risks they underwrite; the effect of operational risks, including system or human failures; the Company’s ability to effectively manage capital on behalf of investors in joint ventures or other entities it manages; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; the Company’s ability to raise capital if necessary; the Company’s ability to comply with covenants in its debt agreements; changes to the regulatory systems under which the Company operates, including as a result of increased global regulation of the insurance and reinsurance industry; changes in Bermuda laws and regulations and the political environment in Bermuda; the Company’s dependence on the ability of its operating subsidiaries to declare and pay dividends; aspects of the Company’s corporate structure that may discourage third-party takeovers or other transactions; the cyclical nature of the reinsurance and insurance industries; adverse legislative developments that reduce the size of the private markets the Company serves or impede their future growth; consolidation of competitors, customers and insurance and reinsurance brokers; the effect on the Company’s business of the highly competitive nature of its industry, including the effect of new entrants to, competing products for and consolidation in the (re)insurance industry; other political, regulatory or industry initiatives adversely impacting the Company; increasing barriers to free trade and the free flow of capital; international restrictions on the writing of reinsurance by foreign companies and government intervention in the natural catastrophe market; the effect of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development or European Union (“EU”) measures to increase the Company’s taxes and reporting requirements; the effect of the vote by the U.K. to leave the EU; changes in regulatory regimes and accounting rules that may impact financial results irrespective of business operations; the Company’s need to make many estimates and judgments in the preparation of its financial statements; and other factors affecting future results disclosed in RenaissanceRe’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Comments on Regulation G

In addition to the GAAP financial measures set forth in this Press Release, the Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G. The Company has provided these financial measures in previous investor communications and the Company’s management believes that these measures are important to investors and other interested persons, and that investors and such other persons benefit from having a consistent basis for comparison between quarters and for comparison with other companies within the industry. These measures may not, however, be comparable to similarly titled measures used by companies outside of the insurance industry. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these non-GAAP measures in assessing the Company’s overall financial performance.

The Company uses “operating income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders” as a measure to evaluate the underlying fundamentals of its operations and believes it to be a useful measure of its corporate performance. “Operating income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders” as used herein differs from “net income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders,” which the Company believes is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, by the exclusion of net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments and the associated income tax expense or benefit. The Company’s management believes that “operating income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders” is useful to investors because it more accurately measures and predicts the Company’s results of operations by removing the variability arising from fluctuations in the Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio, equity investments trading and investments-related derivatives and the associated income tax expense or benefit of those fluctuations. The Company also uses “operating income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders” to calculate “operating income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders per common share - diluted” and “operating return on average common equity - annualized”. The following is a reconciliation of: 1) net income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders to operating income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders; 2) net income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders per common share - diluted to operating income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders per common share - diluted; and 3) return on average common equity - annualized to operating return on average common equity - annualized:

The Company has included in this Press Release “tangible book value per common share” and “tangible book value per common share plus accumulated dividends”. “Tangible book value per common share” is defined as book value per common share excluding goodwill and intangible assets per share. “Tangible book value per common share plus accumulated dividends” is defined as book value per common share excluding goodwill and intangible assets per share, plus accumulated dividends. The Company’s management believes “tangible book value per common share” and “tangible book value per common share plus accumulated dividends” are useful to investors because they provide a more accurate measure of the realizable value of shareholder returns, excluding the impact of goodwill and intangible assets. The following is a reconciliation of book value per common share to tangible book value per common share and tangible book value per common share plus accumulated dividends:

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INVESTOR:
Keith McCue
Senior Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
(441) 239-4830
or
MEDIA:
Keil Gunther
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
(441) 239-4932
or
Kekst and Company
Peter Hill or Dawn Dover
(212) 521-4800

Source: RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

Released October 30, 2018