Conifer Holdings Reports 2023 Fourth Quarter and Year End Financial Results; Announces Strategic Shift to Production Based Revenue

TROY, Mich., April 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Conifer Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CNFR) ("Conifer" or the "Company") today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.

Year End 2023 Financial Highlights (compared to the prior year period)

• Gross written premium increased 4.2% to $143.8 million
• Net investment income increased 81.6% to $5.5 million
• Expense ratio improved 130bps to 37.1%
  
  
  
  

Management Comments

Nick Petcoff, CEO of Conifer, commented, "Much of our recorded loss for the 2023 year was realized in the fourth quarter alone, as we further strengthened our reserve position in efforts to put adverse development behind us. The remainder of the loss was largely driven by earlier in the year convective storm losses from the Oklahoma homeowners business, which is in run-off.

In addition, throughout 2023 we further navigated an ever-evolving insurance landscape, as we transitioned away from the limitations of a carrier-based revenue model, towards wholesale agency, production-based revenue. This shift empowers us to foster greater agility in meeting the market demands of our customers, by providing A-rated capacity, while reducing exposure to market fluctuations, and enhancing stability in our bottom line."

Strategic Shift to Non-Risk Bearing Revenue

In 2023, Conifer started shifting focus to its wholly owned managing general agency ("MGA"), Conifer Insurance Services ("CIS"). As a result, the Company expects 100% of future commercial gross written premium to run through its MGA. This move is intended to optimize Conifer's resources and will complement a shift to primarily focus on commission revenues within its MGA.

Substantially all of the Company's commercial lines business is expected to be directly written by third-party insurers with A.M. Best ratings of A- or better starting in the second quarter of 2024. By leveraging these capacity providers, Conifer will ensure a sustainable business model going forward, more focused on commission revenue, and less so on risk retention through its operating subsidiaries. The Company does expect to continue underwriting the low-value homeowners business written in Texas, and the Midwest.

Utilizing third-party A-rated capacity providers for Conifer's MGA-produced business will provide a much broader reach for existing profitable programs, which is expected to result in the production of substantially more premium volume for the agency segment and generate greater commission revenue overall over time.

2023 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results Overview

	At and for the Three Months Ended December 31,											At and for the Year Ended December 31,
		2023				2022			% Change				2023				2022			% Change
	(dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Gross written premiums	$	24,398			$	34,549			-29.4	%		$	143,834			$	138,019			4.2	%
Net written premiums		15,329				22,252			-31.1	%			68,688				91,232			-24.7	%
Net earned premiums		14,821				23,222			-36.2	%			83,935				96,711			-13.2	%
Net investment income		1,415				1,112			27.2	%			5,526				3,043			81.6	%
Net realized investment gains (losses)		(20	)			-			**				(20	)			(1,505	)		**
Change in fair value of equity securities		13				(43	)		**				608				403			50.9	%
Gain from VSRM Transaction		-				8,810			**				-				8,810			**
Loss portfolio transfer risk fee		-				(5,400	)		**				-				(5,400	)		**
Gain from sale of renewal rights		-				-			**				2,335				-			**
Other gains (losses)		-				(1	)		**				-				59			**
Net income (loss)		(19,460	)			2,111			**				(25,904	)			(10,681	)		**
Net income (loss) per share, diluted	$	(1.59	)		$	0.17						$	(2.12	)		$	(1.00	)
Adjusted operating income (loss)*		(19,453	)			(1,255	)		**				(28,827	)			(13,048	)		**
Adjusted operating income (loss) per share, diluted*	$	(1.59	)		$	(0.10	)					$	(2.36	)		$	(1.22	)
Book value per common share outstanding	$	0.24			$	1.55						$	0.24			$	1.55
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted		12,222,881				12,215,479							12,220,511				10,692,090
Underwriting ratios:
Loss ratio (1)		191.1	%			105.2	%						97.8	%			83.9	%
Expense ratio (2)		40.6	%			37.2	%						37.1	%			38.4	%
Combined ratio (3)		231.7	%			142.4	%						134.9	%			122.3	%
* The "Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures" section of this release defines and reconciles data that are not based on generally accepted accounting principles.
** Percentage is not meaningful
(1) The loss ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of net losses and loss adjustment expenses to net earned premiums and other income from underwriting operations.
(2) The expense ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to net earned premiums and other income from underwriting operations.
(3) The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. A combined ratio over 100% indicates an underwriting loss.

Commercial Lines Financial and Operational Review

Commercial Lines Financial Review
	Three Months Ended December 31,											Year Ended December 31,
		2023				2022			% Change				2023				2022			% Change
	(dollars in thousands)
Gross written premiums	$	14,850			$	28,571			-48.0	%		$	107,078			$	116,868			-8.4	%
Net written premiums		7,009				16,862			-58.4	%			36,580				72,318			-49.4	%
Net earned premiums		7,296				18,726			-61.0	%			59,221				80,823			-26.7	%
Underwriting ratios:
Loss ratio		316.7	%			111.3	%						105.7	%			87.3	%
Expense ratio		38.4	%			37.6	%						35.5	%			37.9	%
Combined ratio		355.1	%			148.9	%						141.2	%			125.2	%
Contribution to combined ratio from net (favorable) adverse prior year development		205.5	%			32.6	%						32.3	%			29.4	%
Accident year combined ratio (1)		149.6	%			116.3	%						108.9	%			95.8	%
(1) The accident year combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio, less changes in net ultimate loss estimates from prior accident year loss reserves. The accident year combined ratio provides management with an assessment of the specific policy year's profitability and assists management in their evaluation of product pricing levels and quality of business written.

The Company's commercial lines of business represented 60.9% of total gross written premium in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Personal Lines Financial and Operational Review

Personal Lines Financial Review
	Three Months Ended December 31,											Year Ended December 31,
		2023				2022			% Change				2023				2022			% Change
	(dollars in thousands)
Gross written premiums	$	9,548			$	5,978			59.7	%		$	36,756			$	21,151			73.8	%
Net written premiums		8,320				5,390			54.4	%			32,108				18,914			69.8	%
Net earned premiums		7,525				4,496			67.4	%			24,714				15,888			55.6	%
Underwriting ratios:
Loss ratio		69.0	%			79.7	%						78.9	%			66.9	%
Expense ratio		42.7	%			35.5	%						40.7	%			41.0	%
Combined ratio		111.7	%			115.2	%						119.6	%			107.9	%
Contribution to combined ratio from net (favorable) adverse prior year development		(2.6	)%			(0.5	)%						-5.6	%			2.6	%
Accident year combined ratio		114.3	%			115.7	%						125.2	%			105.3	%

Personal lines, representing 39.1% of total gross written premium for the fourth quarter of 2023, consists largely of low-value dwelling homeowner's insurance in Texas and the Midwest.

Personal lines gross written premium increased 59.7% to $9.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the prior year period, led by growth in the Company's low-value dwelling line of business in Texas.

Combined Ratio Analysis

	Three Months Ended December 31,						Year Ended December 31,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
Underwriting ratios:
Loss ratio	191.1	%		105.2	%		97.8	%		83.9	%
Expense ratio	40.6	%		37.2	%		37.1	%		38.4	%
Combined ratio	231.7	%		142.4	%		134.9	%		122.3	%
Contribution to combined ratio from net (favorable) adverse prior year development	100.0	%		26.2	%		21.2	%		25.0	%
Accident year combined ratio	131.7	%		116.2	%		113.7	%		97.3	%

Net Investment Income

Net investment income was $1.4 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1.1 million in the prior year period. For the full year 2023, net investment income was $5.5 million, up from $3.0 million for the full year 2022.

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

Net realized investment gains were largely flat during the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to the prior year period.

Change in Fair Value of Equity Securities

During the quarter, the Company reported a small gain from the change in fair value of equity investments of $13,000, compared to a loss of $43,000 in the prior year period. For the full year 2023, the Company reported a gain of $608,000, compared to $403,000 in 2022.

Net Income (Loss)

The Company reported net loss of $19.5 million, or $1.59 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company reported an adjusted operating loss of $19.5 million, or $1.59 per share. See Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures.

Earnings Conference Call with Accompanying Slide Presentation

The Company will hold a conference call/webcast on Friday, April 5, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.

Investors, analysts, employees and the general public are invited to listen to the conference call via:

	Webcast:	On the Event Calendar at IR.CNFRH.com
	Conference Call:	844-868-8843 (domestic) or 412-317-6589 (international)

The webcast will be archived on the Conifer Holdings website and available for replay for at least one year.

About Conifer Holdings

Conifer Holdings, Inc. is a specialty insurance holding company, offering customized coverage solutions tailored to the needs of our insureds nationwide. Conifer is traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "CNFR". Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.CNFRH.com.

Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures

Conifer prepares its public financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Statutory data is prepared in accordance with statutory accounting rules as defined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, and therefore is not reconciled to GAAP data.

We believe that investors' understanding of Conifer's performance is enhanced by our disclosure of adjusted operating income. Our method for calculating this measure may differ from that used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. We define adjusted operating income (loss), a non-GAAP measure, as net income (loss) excluding: 1) net realized investment gains and losses, 2) change in fair value of equity securities, 3) gain from VSRM Transaction, 4) Loss portfolio transfer risk fee, 5) Gain from sale of renewal rights and 6) Other gains (losses). We use adjusted operating income as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives our management and other users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events or our future financial or operating performance, and include Conifer's expectations regarding premiums, earnings, its capital position, expansion, and growth strategies. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management's good-faith belief and reasonable judgment based on current information. The forward-looking statements are qualified by important factors, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including those described in our form 10-K ("Item 1A Risk Factors") filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024 and subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this report speaks only as of the date hereof or as of the date specified herein. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable laws or regulations.

Reconciliations of adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted operating income (loss) per share:

	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
	(dollar in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Net income (loss)	$	(19,460	)		$	2,111			$	(25,904	)		$	(10,681	)
Less:
Net realized investment gains (losses)		(20	)			-				(20	)			(1,505	)
Change in fair value of equity securities		13				(43	)			608				403
Gain from VSRM Transaction		-				8,810				-				8,810
Loss portfolio transfer risk fee		-				(5,400	)			-				(5,400	)
Gain from sale of renewal rights		-				-				2,335				-
Other gains (losses)		-				(1	)			-				59
Impact of income tax expense (benefit) from adjustments *		-				-				-				-
Adjusted operating income (loss)	$	(19,453	)		$	(1,255	)		$	(28,827	)		$	(13,048	)
Weighted average common shares, diluted		12,222,881				12,215,479				12,220,511				10,692,090
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Net income (loss)	$	(1.59	)		$	0.17			$	(2.12	)		$	(1.00	)
Less:
Net realized investment gains (losses)		-				-				-				(0.14	)
Change in fair value of equity securities		-				(0.01	)			0.05				0.04
Gain from VSRM Transaction		-				0.72				-				0.82
Loss portfolio transfer risk fee		-				(0.44	)			-				(0.51	)
Gain from sale of renewal rights		-				-				0.19				-
Other gains (losses)		-				-				-				0.01
Impact of income tax expense (benefit) from adjustments *		-				-				-				-
Adjusted operating income (loss), per share	$	(1.59	)		$	(0.10	)		$	(2.36	)		$	(1.22	)
* The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. As a result, there were no taxable impacts to adjusted operating income from the adjustments to net income (loss) in the table above after taking into account the use of NOLs and the change in the valuation allowance.

Conifer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in thousands)
	December 31,				December 31,
		2023				2022
Assets
Investment securities:
Debt securities, at fair value (amortized cost of $135,370 and $127,119, respectively)	$	122,113			$	110,201
Equity securities, at fair value (cost of $2,385 and $1,905, respectively)		2,354				1,267
Short-term investments, at fair value		20,838				25,929
Total investments		145,305				137,397
Cash and cash equivalents		11,125				28,035
Premiums and agents' balances receivable, net		29,369				21,802
Receivable from Affiliate		1,047				1,261
Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses		70,807				82,651
Reinsurance recoverables on paid losses		12,619				6,653
Prepaid reinsurance premiums		28,908				16,399
Deferred policy acquisition costs		6,285				10,290
Other assets		6,339				7,862
Total assets	$	311,804			$	312,350
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	174,612			$	165,539
Unearned premiums		65,150				67,887
Reinsurance premiums payable		246				6,144
Debt		25,061				33,876
Funds held under reinsurance agreements		24,550				11,084
Premiums payable to other insureds		13,986				-
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		5,310				8,870
Total liabilities		308,915				293,400
Commitments and contingencies		-				-
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value (10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,000 and 0 issued and outstanding, respectively)		6,000				-
Common stock, no par value (100,000,000 shares authorized; 12,222,881 and 12,215,849 issued and outstanding, respectively)		98,100				97,913
Accumulated deficit		(86,683	)			(60,760	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(14,528	)			(18,203	)
Total shareholders' equity		2,889				18,950
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	311,804			$	312,350

Conifer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Three Months Ended								Year Ended
	December 31,								December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Revenue and Other Income
Premiums
Gross earned premiums	$	38,115			$	34,454			$	146,572			$	135,401
Ceded earned premiums		(23,294	)			(11,232	)			(62,637	)			(38,690	)
Net earned premiums		14,821				23,222				83,935				96,711
Net investment income		1,415				1,112				5,526				3,043
Net realized investment gains (losses)		(20	)			-				(20	)			(1,505	)
Change in fair value of equity securities		13				(43	)			608				403
Gain from VSRM Transaction		-				8,810				-				8,810
Loss portfolio transfer risk fee		-				(5,400	)			-				(5,400	)
Gain from sale of renewal rights		-				-				2,335				-
Other gains (losses)		-				(1	)			-				59
Agency commission income		4,743				278				5,680				1,414
Other income		168				526				694				1,354
Total revenue and other income		21,140				28,504				98,758				104,889
Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, net		28,470				24,500				82,413				81,440
Policy acquisition costs		7,033				4,760				20,892				22,179
Operating expenses		4,095				5,779				17,891				18,789
Interest expense		845				755				3,206				2,971
Total expenses		40,443				35,794				124,402				125,379
Income (loss) before income taxes		(19,303	)			(7,290	)			(25,644	)			(20,490	)
Equity earnings in Affiliate, net of tax		(148	)			-				(251	)			368
Income tax expense (benefit)		9				(9,401	)			9				(9,441	)
Net income (loss)		(19,460	)			2,111				(25,904	)			(10,681	)
Preferred stock dividends		19				-				19				-
Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders		(19,441	)			2,111				(25,885	)			(10,681	)
Earnings (loss) per common share, basic and diluted	$	(1.59	)		$	0.17			$	(2.12	)		$	(1.00	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted		12,222,881				12,215,479				12,220,511				10,692,090

For Further Information:

Jessica Gulis, 248.559.0840

[email protected]