NI (US:NODK) Globenewswire·2025-05-09 20:15Core Insights - NI Holdings, Inc. reported a decrease in direct written premiums by 18.4% year-over-year, totaling $67.7 million compared to $83.0 million in the first quarter of 2024 [3][7] - The company achieved a net income of $6.46 million, reflecting a 6.8% decline from $6.94 million in the same quarter last year [3][4] - The combined ratio increased slightly to 94.4%, up from 93.9% in the previous year, indicating a marginal rise in underwriting expenses relative to earned premiums [3][7] Financial Performance - Direct written premiums decreased to $67,728 thousand from $83,041 thousand, primarily due to a significant reduction in the Non-Standard Auto segment, which saw a decline of 58.8% [3][7] - Net earned premiums also fell by 3.4%, from $69,884 thousand to $67,497 thousand [3] - The loss and LAE (Loss Adjustment Expense) ratio improved slightly to 57.1% from 57.4%, while the expense ratio increased to 37.3% from 36.5% [3] Operational Highlights - The company reported solid growth in core personal line segments, particularly in North Dakota, attributed to increased new business and strong retention rates [4] - Favorable weather conditions and lower large loss frequency in the Home and Farm segment contributed positively to performance [4] - Management emphasized a renewed focus on strategic actions to return the Non-Standard Auto segment to profitability, which impacted overall premium figures [5][6] Shareholder Value - Return on average equity decreased to 10.4% from 12.1%, reflecting a decline in profitability metrics [3] - Basic earnings per share remained stable at $0.31, compared to $0.33 in the previous year, indicating a slight decrease in earnings from continuing operations [3][7] - The company aims to create lasting value for shareholders through sustained growth and profitability over time [6]