Form: 8-K

Current report filing

May 5, 2004

Documents

PRESS RELEASE

Published on May 5, 2004


EXHIBIT 99.1


[GRAPHIC OMITTED]



RENAISSANCERE REPORTS OPERATING INCOME OF $137.8 MILLION FOR 2004 FIRST
QUARTER; OPERATING EPS OF $1.93 PER COMMON SHARE FOR THE FIRST
QUARTER OF 2004 VS. $1.84 FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2003

$170.4 MILLION NET INCOME FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2004; EPS OF $2.38
FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2004 VS. EPS OF $2.14 FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2003

MANAGED SPECIALTY REINSURANCE PREMIUM GROWS TO $258.0 MILLION
COMPARED TO $205.8 MILLION IN 2003

INDIVIDUAL RISK SEGMENT PREMIUM GROWS TO $119.9 MILLION FOR THE
FIRST QUARTER OF 2004 COMPARED TO $63.8 MILLION IN 2003

ACHIEVES FIRST QUARTER 2004 ANNUALIZED OPERATING RETURN ON EQUITY OF 25.5%


PEMBROKE, BERMUDA, MAY 4, 2004 -- RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: RNR) today
reported $137.8 million in first quarter net operating income available to
common shareholders, compared to $130.2 million in the first quarter of 2003.
Operating income excludes realized investment gains of $32.5 million and $21.1
million in the first quarters of 2004 and 2003, respectively. Operating income
per common share grew to $1.93 in the first quarter of 2004, from $1.84 per
common share in the first quarter of 2003. Net income available to common
shareholders rose 13% to $170.4 million or $2.38 per common share in the
quarter, from $151.3 million or $2.14 per common share for the same quarter of
2003.

James N. Stanard, Chairman and CEO, commented: "This quarter demonstrates the
increasing diversification of RenaissanceRe's business mix. Strong first quarter
growth in Individual Risk and specialty reinsurance positions us well to meet
our targeted 2004 growth rates in these lines of 30% and 20%, respectively, and
more than offset the 5% decline in gross managed cat premium, which was in line
with our expectations. We also benefited from another quarter of light
catastrophes, and continued to deliver strong returns on equity and growth in
book value per share."

FIRST QUARTER 2004 RESULTS:
- ---------------------------

PREMIUMS
- --------

Gross premiums written for the first quarter of 2004 were $780.3 million,
compared to $685.2 million for the same quarter of 2003. Gross premiums written
include $660.4 million in gross premiums written for the Company's Reinsurance
segment in the first quarter of 2004, compared to $621.3 million for the same
quarter of 2003; and $119.9 million in gross premiums written for the Company's
Individual Risk segment in the first quarter of 2004, compared to $63.8 million
for the same quarter of 2003. Net premiums written for the first quarter of 2004
were $706.0 million, versus $590.4 million for the same quarter of 2003. Net
premiums written include $596.2 million in net premiums written for the
Company's Reinsurance segment in the first quarter of 2004, compared to $557.9
million for the same quarter of 2003; and $109.8 million in net premiums written
for the Company's Individual Risk segment in the first quarter of 2004, compared
to $32.5 million for the same quarter of 2003.

1

Net premiums earned for the first quarter of 2004 were $309.6 million, compared
to $263.5 million for the same quarter of 2003. Net premiums earned include
$208.8 million in net premiums earned for the Company's Reinsurance segment in
the first quarter of 2004, compared to $200.4 million for the same quarter of
2003; and $100.8 million in net premiums earned for the Company's Individual
Risk segment in the first quarter of 2004, compared to $63.0 million for the
same quarter of 2003.

Premiums for the first quarter of 2004 include $130.8 million of gross written
premiums and $128.7 million of net written premiums and $47.0 million of net
premiums earned by the Company's consolidated joint venture, DaVinci Re during
the first quarter of 2004, compared to $126.5 million of gross and net written
premiums and $49.1 million of net premiums earned by DaVinci Re during the first
quarter of 2003.

Total managed cat premiums written, representing gross catastrophe premiums
written by Renaissance Reinsurance and by related joint ventures, were $441.4
million for the first quarter of 2004, compared to $464.7 million for the same
quarter of 2003, representing a decrease of approximately 5%, which was in line
with management's expectations. See the attached supplemental financial data for
additional information regarding managed premiums.

JOINT VENTURE INCOME
- --------------------

During the quarter, the income from the DaVinci joint venture and other fee
income was $33.7 million, compared to $36.1 million during the first quarter of
2003. Of this, $16.9 million reflects fees and profit commissions, compared to
$20.2 million in the first quarter of 2003, and $16.8 million reflects equity in
earnings of unconsolidated ventures and DaVinci, versus $17.7 million in the
comparable quarter of 2003.

Also during the quarter, the Company consummated its $119.7 million investment
in ChannelRe Holdings Ltd. This investment has been reflected in the balance
sheet under the caption "investments in other ventures, under the equity
method", which also includes our investment in Top Layer Reinsurance Ltd. The
earnings on our investment in ChannelRe Holdings Ltd. will be recorded one
quarter in arrears, therefore the first quarterly earnings impact of this
investment will be recorded in our consolidated statements of income in the
second quarter.

UNDERWRITING RATIOS, RESERVE DEVELOPMENT:
- -----------------------------------------

For the first quarter of 2004, the Company generated a combined ratio of 59.0%,
a loss ratio of 36.2% and an expense ratio of 22.8%, compared to a combined
ratio, loss ratio and expense ratio of 53.0%, 31.4% and 21.6% for the first
quarter of 2003, respectively. The increase in the loss and expense ratios
primarily relates to the increased scale of the Company's Individual Risk
segment, which typically generates higher loss and expense ratios than the
Reinsurance segment. For the quarter, the Company's Reinsurance segment
generated a loss ratio of 28.0% and an expense ratio of 14.3%, compared to 28.4%
and 17.4%, respectively, during the first quarter of 2003. The expense ratio
includes the benefit of a reversal of an accrual for incentive compensation
expense and in future periods management expects this expense ratio to return to
higher levels. For the quarter, the Company's Individual Risk segment generated
a loss ratio of 53.2% and an expense ratio of 40.2%, compared to 41.1% and
35.1%, respectively during the first quarter of 2003.

During the quarter, the Company recorded favorable development on prior year
reserves of $21.7 million or a benefit of 7.0 points to the Company's quarterly
loss ratio. The Company's Reinsurance segment contributed $16.9 million and the
Individual Risk segment contributed $4.8 million of favorable development on
prior year reserves. Net paid losses for the quarter were $59.4 million. See the
attached supplemental financial data for additional information regarding claims
and claim expenses incurred and loss ratios by segment.

INVESTMENTS:
- ------------

Net investment income for the first quarter of 2004 was $35.1 million, compared
to $31.4 million for the same quarter in 2003. Net investment income includes
appreciation related to investments in hedge funds and private equity funds
recorded during the first quarter of 2004 of $6.3 million compared to $3.3
million of net appreciation recorded during the first quarter of 2003.

2

The Company's cash flows from operations were $228.0 million for the first
quarter of 2004.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
- ---------------------

Shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders was $2.2 billion at
March 31, 2004, compared to $2.1 billion at December 31, 2003. Book value per
common share at March 31, 2004 was $31.78 compared to $29.61 per common share at
December 31, 2003.

In March 2004, we issued $250.0 million of Series C Preference Shares, a
perpetual security. The Preferred Shares pay cumulative dividends at a rate of
6.08% per year.

-------------------------------------------------

This Press Release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures including
"operating income," "operating EPS or operating income per common share,"
"annualized operating return on equity," "managed cat premium" and "summary of
income from joint venture relationships." A reconciliation of such measures to
the most comparable GAAP figures in accordance with Regulation G is presented in
the attached supplemental financial data.

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 5,
2004 at 8:00 a.m. (EST) to discuss this release. Live broadcast of the
conference call will be available through the Investor Section of
RenaissanceRe's website at www.renre.com.

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. is a global provider of reinsurance and insurance.
Our business consists of two segments: (1) Reinsurance, which includes
catastrophe reinsurance, specialty reinsurance and certain joint ventures and
other structured relationships managed by our subsidiary Renaissance
Underwriting Managers, and (2) Individual Risk business, which includes primary
insurance and quota share reinsurance.


Cautionary Statement under "Safe Harbor" Provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements made in this news release contain
information about the Company's future business prospects. These statements may
be considered "forward-looking." These statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. For further
information regarding cautionary statements and factors affecting future
results, please refer to RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.'s filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2003.

INVESTOR CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT:
Martin J. Merritt David Lilly or Dawn Dover
Senior Vice President - Finance Kekst and Company
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (212) 521-4800
(441) 299-7230

3




RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and 2003
(in thousands of United States Dollars, except per share amounts)



QUARTERS ENDED
----------------------------------------------
MARCH 31, 2004 MARCH 31, 2003
-------------------- ---------------------
(Unaudited)

REVENUES
Gross premiums written $ 780,288 $ 685,167

Net premiums written $ 706,021 $ 590,370
Increase in unearned premiums (396,452) (326,896)
--------------- ----------------
Net premiums earned 309,569 263,474
Net investment income 35,050 31,434
Net foreign exchange gains 2,087 3,951
Equity in earnings of
unconsolidated ventures 6,520 6,068
Other income (expenses) 1,109 (563)
Net realized gains on investments 32,521 21,112
--------------- ----------------

TOTAL REVENUES 386,856 325,476

EXPENSES
Claims and claim expenses incurred 112,178 82,780
Acquisition expenses 58,031 42,133
Operational expenses 12,376 14,907
Corporate expenses 4,552 3,468
Interest expense 6,271 4,499
--------------- ----------------

TOTAL EXPENSES 193,408 147,787

Income before minority interest
and taxes 193,448 177,689
Minority interest - Capital
Securities -- 1,455
Minority interest - DaVinci 17,990 20,885
--------------- ----------------
Income before taxes 175,458 155,349
Income tax benefit -- 55

NET INCOME 175,458 155,404
Dividends on preference shares 5,104 4,119
--------------- ----------------

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON
SHAREHOLDERS $ 170,354 $ 151,285
=============== ================

Operating Income per Common Share
- diluted * $ 1.93 $ 1.84

Net income available to common
shareholders per Common Share -
basic $ 2.45 $ 2.21
Net income available to common
shareholders per Common Share -
diluted $ 2.38 $ 2.14

Average shares outstanding - basic 69,444 68,593
Average shares outstanding -
diluted 71,592 70,564

Claims and claim expense ratio 36.2% 31.4%
Expense ratio 22.8% 21.6%
--------------- ----------------
Combined ratio 59.0% 53.0%
=============== ================

Operating return on average common
equity (annualized) * 25.5% 33.3%
=============== ================


* Excludes realized gains on investments (see page 8)


4





RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands of United States Dollars, except per share amounts)



AT
-------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 31, 2004 DECEMBER 31, 2003
-------------------- ----------------------
(Unaudited) (Audited)

ASSETS
Fixed maturity investments
available for sale, at fair value $ 3,115,232 $ 2,947,841
Short term investments 722,158 660,564
Other investments 448,227 369,242
Cash and cash equivalents 91,148 63,397
-------------------- ----------------------
Total managed investment
portfolio and cash 4,376,765 4,041,044
Equity investments in reinsurance
company, at fair value 156,638 145,535
Investments in other ventures,
under equity method 193,532 41,130
-------------------- ----------------------
Total investments and cash 4,726,935 4,227,709
Premiums receivable 434,222 167,996
Ceded reinsurance balances 71,728 56,852
Losses recoverable 131,955 149,201
Accrued investment income 23,386 22,793
Deferred acquisition costs 122,214 75,261
Other assets 32,766 29,890
-------------------- ----------------------

TOTAL ASSETS $ 5,543,206 $ 4,729,702
==================== ======================

LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTEREST
AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Reserve for claims and claim
expenses $ 1,013,448 $ 977,892
Reserve for unearned premiums 768,352 349,824
Debt 350,000 350,000
Subordinated obligation to capital
trust 103,093 103,093
Reinsurance balances payable 88,240 131,629
Other liabilities 91,066 52,123
-------------------- ----------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 2,414,199 1,964,561
-------------------- ----------------------

Minority interest - DaVinci 388,274 430,498

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Preference shares 500,000 250,000
Common shares and additional
paid-in capital 308,379 314,414
Accumulated other comprehensive
income 118,606 113,382
Retained earnings 1,813,748 1,656,847
-------------------- ----------------------

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 2,740,733 2,334,643
-------------------- ----------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES, MINORITY
INTEREST, AND SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY $ 5,543,206 $ 4,729,702
==================== ======================

BOOK VALUE PER COMMON SHARE $ 31.78 $ 29.61
==================== ======================

COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING 70,497 70,399
-------------------- ----------------------



5





RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
(in thousands of United States Dollars)

SEGMENT INFORMATION
- -------------------




QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2004
----------------------------------------------------------------
REINSURANCE INDIVIDUAL RISK OTHER TOTAL
--------------- ----------------- ----------- ---------------

Gross premiums written $ 660,350 $ 119,938 $ - $ 780,288
=============== ================= ===============

Net premiums written $ 596,238 $ 109,783 - $ 706,021
=============== ================= ===============
Net premiums earned $ 208,793 $ 100,776 - $ 309,569
Claims and claim expenses incurred 58,539 53,639 - 112,178
Acquisition expenses 23,811 34,220 - 58,031
Operational expenses 6,126 6,250 - 12,376
--------------- ----------------- ----------- ---------------

Underwriting income $ 120,317 $ 6,667 - 126,984
=============== =================
Other items $ 43,370 43,370
=========== ---------------
Net income available to common
shareholders $ 170,354
===============

Claims and claim expenses incurred -
current accident year $ 75,410 $ 58,457 $ 133,867
Claims and claim expenses incurred -
prior years (16,871) (4,818) (21,689)
--------------- ----------------- ----------- ---------------
Net claims and claim expenses incurred -
total $ 58,539 $ 53,639 $ 112,178
=============== ================= ===============


Claims and claim expense ratio -
accident year 36.1% 58.0% 43.2%
=============== ================= ===============
Claims and claim expense ratio - calendar
year 28.0% 53.2% 36.2%
Underwriting expense ratio 14.3% 40.2% 22.8%
--------------- ----------------- ---------------
Combined ratio 42.3% 93.4% 59.0%
=============== ================= ===============





QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2003
----------------------------------------------------------------
REINSURANCE INDIVIDUAL RISK OTHER TOTAL
--------------- ----------------- ----------- ---------------


Gross premiums written (1) $ 621,324 $ 63,843 $ - $ 685,167
=============== ================= ===============
Net premiums written $ 557,853 $ 32,517 - $ 590,370
=============== ================= ===============
Net premiums earned $ 200,433 $ 63,041 - $ 263,474
Claims and claim expenses incurred 56,896 25,884 - 82,780
Acquisition expenses 22,857 19,276 - 42,133
Operational expenses 12,084 2,823 - 14,907
--------------- ----------------- ----------- ---------------
Underwriting income $ 108,596 $ 15,058 - 123,654
=============== =================
Other items $ 27,631 27,631
=========== ---------------
Net income available to common
shareholders $ 151,285
===============


Claims and claim expenses incurred -
current accident year $ 69,514 $ 24,992 $ 94,506
Claims and claim expenses incurred -
prior years (12,618) 892 (11,726)
--------------- ----------------- ---------------
Net claims and claim expenses incurred -
total $ 56,896 $ 25,884 $ 82,780


Claims and claim expense ratio - accident
year 34.7% 39.6% 35.9%
=============== ================= ===============

Claims and claim expense ratio - calendar
year 28.4% 41.1% 31.4%
=============== ================= ===============
Underwriting expense ratio 17.4% 35.1% 21.6%
--------------- ----------------- ---------------
Combined ratio 45.8% 76.2% 53.0%
=============== ================= ===============


(1) Reinsurance segment gross premiums written excludes $4.7 million of premiums
ceded from the Individual Risk segment.


6



RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
(in thousands of United States Dollars)



GROSS WRITTEN PREMIUMS QUARTERS ENDED
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------------
MARCH 31, 2004 MARCH 31, 2003
------------------ --------------------

Renaissance cat premium $ 299,136 $ 308,719
Renaissance specialty premium 230,455 186,082
------------------ --------------------

Total Renaissance Reinsurance premium 529,591 494,801
------------------ --------------------
DaVinci cat premium 103,196 106,816
DaVinci specialty premium 27,563 19,707
------------------ --------------------
Total DaVinci Reinsurance premium 130,759 126,523
------------------ --------------------
Total Reinsurance premium 660,350 621,324
Individual Risk premium (1) 119,938 63,843
------------------ --------------------

Total premiums $ 780,288 $ 685,167
================== ====================

Total Managed Cat Premiums (2) $ 441,387 $ 464,735
================== ====================

Total Managed Specialty Premiums $ 258,018 $ 205,789
================== ====================


(1) Includes combined premium ceded to Renaissance and DaVinci of $4.7 million
for the quarter ended March 31, 2003. Such amounts of premium are excluded from
the Renaissance and DaVinci premiums shown above.

(2) Total Managed Cat Premiums include Renaissance and DaVinci Cat Premium, as
above, and Cat Premium of $39.1 million and $49.2 million for the quarters ended
March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, written on behalf of our joint venture,
Top Layer Re.



OTHER INCOME AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF UNCONSOLIDATED VENTURES QUARTERS ENDED
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
MARCH 31, 2004 MARCH 31, 2003
------------------ --------------------

As Reported
- -----------
Fee income $ 1,115 $ 1,228
Other items (6) (1,791)
------------------ --------------------
Total other income - as reported 1,109 (563)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures 6,520 6,068
------------------ --------------------

Total $ 7,629 $ 5,505
================== ====================


Summary of income from joint venture relationships (1)
- --------------------------------------------------
Fee income (2) $ 16,968 $ 20,204
Other items (6) (1,791)
------------------ --------------------
Total other income 16,962 18,413
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures and DaVinci 16,779 17,702
------------------ --------------------

Total $ 33,741 $ 36,115
================== ====================


(1) Reported GAAP presentation adjusted to reflect:
- fee income and the Company's interest in DaVinci as if DaVinci were
accounted for under the equity method.
- other fee income on managed cat business which is reflected on the
income statement as a reduction of acquisition and operational
expenses.
(2) Excludes fee income received on capital invested by RenaissanceRe Holdings.

7




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 in this Press Release
within the meaning of Regulation G. The Company has consistently provided these
financial measurements in previous investor communications and the Company's
management believes that these measurements 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 the 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" 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" as used herein differs from "net
income available to common shareholders", which the Company believes is the most
directly comparable GAAP measure, by the exclusion of net realized gains and
losses on investments. In addition, the Company's management believes that
"operating income" 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 registrant's investment portfolio, which is not
considered by management to be a relevant indicator of business operations. The
Company also uses operating income to calculate operating income per common
share and operating return on average common equity. The following is a
reconciliation of 1) net income available to common shareholders to operating
income; 2) net income available to common shareholders per common share to
operating income per common share; and 3) return on average common equity to
operating return on average common equity:



QUARTERS ENDED
--------------------------------------------
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) MARCH 31, 2004 MARCH 31, 2003
-------------------- ----------------------

Net income available to common shareholders $ 170,354 $ 151,285
Adjustment for net realized gains on investments (32,521) (21,112)
-------------------- ----------------------

Operating income $ 137,833 $ 130,173
==================== ======================




Net income available to common shareholders per common share - diluted $ 2.38 $ 2.14
Adjustment for net realized gains on investments (0.45) (0.30)
-------------------- ----------------------

Operating income per common share - diluted $ 1.93 $ 1.84
==================== ======================




Return on average common equity (annualized) 31.5% 38.7%
Adjustment for net realized gains on investments (6.0%) (5.4%)
-------------------- ----------------------

Operating return on average common equity (annualized) 25.5% 33.3%
==================== ======================




8




The Company has also included in this Press Release "managed cat premium".
"Managed cat premium" is defined as gross catastrophe premium written by
Renaissance Reinsurance and its related joint ventures. "Managed cat premium"
differs from total catastrophe premium, which the Company believes is the most
directly comparable GAAP measure, due to the inclusion of catastrophe premium
written on behalf of our joint venture Top Layer Re, which is accounted for
under the equity method of accounting. Refer to supplemental financial data on
gross written premiums.

The Company has also included in this Press Release "summary of income from
joint venture relationships" which is a non-GAAP financial measure. The
principal differences between "summary of income from joint venture
relationships" and "other income and equity in earnings of unconsolidated
ventures," which the Company believes is the most directly comparable GAAP
measure, are that the results of DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd., a joint venture the
financial results of which are consolidated in the Company's financial
statements, are reflected in "summary of income from joint venture
relationships" as if reported under the equity accounting method, and that this
presentation also includes fees earned on certain quota share cessions of
catastrophe business by the Company which are reflected on its income statement
as a reduction of acquisition and operational expenses.


9