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Selective Insurance Group (NYSE:SGZ.CL) 2026 Conference Transcript
2026-02-10 17:22
Summary of Selective Insurance Group Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Selective Insurance Group (NYSE: SGZ.CL) - **Event**: 2026 Conference on February 10, 2026 - **Key Speakers**: CEO John Marchioni and CFO Patrick Brennan Core Industry Insights - **Historical Performance**: Selective Insurance has a long history of stability and growth, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026. The company has averaged over 12% Return on Equity (ROE) over the past decade [4][11] - **Recent Challenges**: The last two years have seen volatility due to reserving actions related to General Liability and Commercial Auto Liability lines, which are longer-tailed lines of business [5][6] - **Emerging Trends**: The company is addressing trends such as lawsuit abuse and social inflation, which are impacting severity trends in casualty lines. The overall severity trend is reported at about 9% for casualty lines, and closer to 10% when excluding workers' compensation [17][21] Financial Performance and Strategy - **ROE Performance**: The company reported a 14.2-point operating ROE in the past year, maintaining a long-term track record of producing over 12 points of ROE [11] - **Reserving Strategy**: The goal is to maintain stability in reserves, ensuring that the most recent years are booked accurately to support future profitability [9][10] - **Combined Ratio Guidance**: The underlying accident year combined ratio for 2025 is projected to improve by about 120 basis points, with a target range of 90.5-91.5 for the combined ratio [33] Market Dynamics - **Geographic Exposure**: New Jersey represents a significant portion of Selective's business, with 30% of personal auto and 15% of commercial auto premiums coming from the state. The state has been identified as having a higher susceptibility to social inflation due to its legal environment [24][25] - **Litigation Trends**: The litigation rates in New Jersey are about twice the national average for commercial auto, indicating a challenging environment for claims [28] Future Outlook - **Diversification Strategy**: The company aims to diversify its portfolio by expanding into new geographic areas and segments, including personal lines targeting the mass affluent market and increasing its presence in Excess and Surplus lines [35][37] - **Investment in Technology**: Selective has significantly increased its technology budget to enhance capabilities and improve data utilization for pricing and loss cost management [14] Key Takeaways - **Market Positioning**: Selective Insurance is positioned to take advantage of market trends by reacting quickly to emerging data and trends, ensuring that its reserving practices are sound and reflective of current conditions [20][22] - **Shareholder Returns**: The company has returned approximately $100 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, indicating a commitment to returning capital while investing in growth [56][57] Additional Considerations - **Communication with Agents**: The company emphasizes open communication with agents regarding pricing strategies, which is crucial in a competitive market where accounts can easily be shifted to competitors [42][45] - **Public Policy Advocacy**: There is a need for the insurance industry to better communicate the impact of excessive litigation on costs, which could influence public policy and regulatory changes [41]
The Hartford Insurance Group (NYSE:HIG) 2026 Conference Transcript
2026-02-10 14:52
The Hartford Insurance Group (NYSE:HIG) 2026 Conference February 10, 2026 08:50 AM ET Company ParticipantsBeth Bombara - CFOChristopher Swift - Chairman and CEOConference Call ParticipantsNone - AnalystNoneHere at the Bank of America U.S. Financial Services Conference. This session is Hartford Insurance. We're really blessed to have Christopher Swift, CEO, and Beth Bombara, CFO, here to talk to us about the company. I wanted to make an observation, you know, that we've seen this decoupling of the markets wi ...
Selective Insurance Group (SGZ.CL) 2025 Conference Transcript
2025-09-03 18:37
Summary of Selective Insurance Group (SGZ.CL) 2025 Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Selective Insurance Group - **Date of Conference**: September 03, 2025 Key Points Industry Insights - The insurance industry is experiencing higher paid emergence in recent accident years, particularly in commercial auto and general liability lines [2][3] - Selective Insurance has adopted a conservative approach to reserving, especially in workers' compensation, due to observed flattening frequency trends [14][15] - The company is addressing social inflationary trends impacting claims severity across its portfolio [8][30] Financial Performance - The underlying combined ratio in personal lines is reported at 82%, indicating improved profitability [50] - Year-to-date return on equity (ROE) stands at 12.3%, with a target combined ratio of 89% [35] - The company has seen a significant shift in its personal lines portfolio towards the mass affluent market, with average home values for new business around $1,000,000 [48] Reserving Philosophy - Selective Insurance emphasizes a proactive reserving philosophy, reacting quickly to adverse developments in recent accident years [20][34] - The company has increased its expected loss ratios for general liability, positioning itself better for future years [7][11] - The management believes that the current reserving practices are sound, despite market concerns [29][37] Capital Management - The company plans to return 20-25% of its earnings over time through dividends and stock buybacks, having repurchased $19.4 million in stock in the first quarter of 2025 [26][28] - Selective Insurance is cautious about making economically inefficient decisions to appease market concerns regarding reserves [29] E&S Segment Growth - The Excess and Surplus (E&S) segment has been successful, with a shift towards more property opportunities [39] - The company is expanding its non-admitted E&S products to retail distribution partners, aiming for profitable growth [40][41] Technology and AI Implementation - Selective Insurance is investing in technology to enhance agent and customer experiences, improve operational efficiency, and leverage AI for better decision-making [77][78] - The company has numerous active AI use cases and is focused on continuous improvement in data utilization [80][81] Market Positioning - The company is strategically positioned to capitalize on the mass affluent market, with plans to expand its footprint in jurisdictions not currently served [52] - Selective Insurance is focused on maintaining strong margins while navigating the challenges posed by inflation and market dynamics [54][55] Conclusion - Selective Insurance Group is navigating a complex insurance landscape with a focus on proactive reserving, capital management, and technology investments to drive future growth and profitability [85]
AIG(AIG) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-07 13:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - AIG reported adjusted after-tax income per diluted share of $1.81, a 56% increase year over year [7] - Adjusted after-tax income for the quarter was $1 billion, up 35% from the prior year, driven by the general insurance business [7] - Net investment income on an adjusted pretax basis was $955 million, an increase of 9% year over year [7] - The accident year combined ratio as adjusted was 88.4%, while the calendar year combined ratio improved to 89.3%, a 320 basis point improvement from the prior year quarter [8][37] - AIG returned $2 billion of capital to shareholders, bringing the year-to-date total to $4.5 billion [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net premiums written were $6.9 billion, a 1% increase year over year, with 3% growth in global commercial [10] - North America commercial insurance net premiums written increased 4% year over year, with a notable 11% increase excluding property [11] - Retail casualty and Lexington casualty each increased by 19%, while retail property and Lexington property saw an 8% decline [11] - International commercial insurance net premiums written increased by 1%, driven by modest growth in casualty and global specialty [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global commercial produced strong new business of nearly $1.4 billion, a 7% increase from the prior year quarter [12] - The submission count in the Lexington business increased by 28% year over year, indicating strong demand [13] - Global personal net premiums written decreased by 3%, impacted by a high net worth quota share reinsurance treaty [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - AIG is focused on maintaining its US property portfolio while managing risk-adjusted returns and being cautious in growth due to market conditions [24] - The company aims to reduce its general insurance expense ratio below 30% by 2027 [37] - AIG NEXT initiative has delivered $500 million in savings and operational improvements, with a total of $530 million in annual run rate expense savings achieved [27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving a 10% plus core operating ROE target in 2025, despite a dynamic macro and insurance market [52] - The company is well-positioned for growth, with significant opportunities in casualty and specialty lines, despite some rate pressure [66][72] - Management noted that social inflation is a long-term issue, but AIG's strong brand and financial strength make it an attractive partner for clients [84] Other Important Information - AIG's major insurance subsidiaries received financial strength upgrades from S&P to AA- and Moody's to A1 during the quarter [51] - The company sold $430 million worth of Corbridge Financial shares, reducing its stake to approximately 21% [8] - Book value per share increased to $74.14, up 8% from the previous year [52] Q&A Session Summary Question: Property pricing implications and combined ratio targets - Management clarified that reinsurance benefits the original pricing, and they do not expect significant headwinds in underwriting despite potential combined ratio increases [56][60] Question: Capital situation if growth outlook is not as expected - Management indicated that if capital cannot be deployed for growth, it would be returned to shareholders, but they believe there are opportunities for growth in the current environment [62][64] Question: Reapportionment of reserves to accident years '21 and '22 - Management explained that the reapportionment is a prudent measure and does not indicate deterioration in the underlying portfolio [80][81] Question: Demand for liability coverage due to social inflation - Management noted a strong demand for underwriting companies with expertise in casualty lines, indicating a flight to quality among buyers [84]
Chubb(CB) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-23 13:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core operating EPS reached a record $6.14, up 14% year-over-year, driven by record underwriting, strong investment results, and premium revenue growth [5][6] - Core operating income was $2.5 billion, a 13% increase, indicating broad-based growth across the company's diversified operations [6] - Adjusted net investment income was nearly $1.7 billion, up 8%, with a fixed income portfolio yield of 5.1% [8][9] - Tangible book value per share grew 23.7% year-over-year and 8% from the previous quarter, with an annualized core operating return on tangible equity of 21% [9][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America P&C premiums, excluding agriculture, increased by 5.3%, with personal insurance growing by 9.1% and commercial by 4.1% [12] - The life insurance division saw premiums grow almost 17.5%, while global P&C premiums grew 5.86% in constant dollars [10][12] - The middle market and small commercial segments showed strong growth, with premiums in the leading middle market division up 8.4% [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In North America, casualty pricing increased by 11.6%, while financial lines pricing decreased by 1.2% [15] - Internationally, premiums grew 8.5% or over 10% in constant dollars, with Asia growing over 12.5% and Latin America over 17% [17] - The London wholesale business saw premiums rise over 7%, while the international retail commercial business experienced a slight increase in P&C pricing [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes disciplined underwriting and is stepping away from unprofitable large account property business while focusing on middle market and small commercial growth [11][20] - The management highlighted the importance of global diversification and a talented workforce to support long-term growth [20] - The company is actively pursuing opportunities in emerging markets, particularly in Latin America and Asia, with expectations of double-digit growth [44][58] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted a dynamic economic and geopolitical environment, with potential headwinds from budget deficits and trade policies, but remains confident in the company's fundamentals and growth prospects [19][20] - The company expects continued growth in both revenue and earnings, supported by a disciplined approach to underwriting and a diversified portfolio [20][22] Other Important Information - The company authorized a new $5 billion share repurchase program, reflecting confidence in its capital management strategy [22] - The quarter produced adjusted operating cash flow of $3.2 billion, supporting ongoing investments [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of litigation challenges on casualty and general liability coverages - Management discussed the inflationary impact of litigation costs and emphasized the need for public policy reform to address these issues [28][30] Question: Growth in Latin America - Management highlighted strong growth in Mexico and Argentina, driven by various segments including auto and small commercial [41][44] Question: Stability of global P&C growth - Management confirmed that growth remains durable, particularly in middle market and small commercial segments, despite stepping away from some large account property business [53][54] Question: Medical cost inflation's effect on workers' comp - Management clarified that medical inflation trends differ from those affecting workers' comp, and they are using conservative factors in reserving [71] Question: Sensitivity of large domestic accounts to social inflation - Management noted that terms and conditions have tightened in response to social inflation, impacting coverage demands [75][76] Question: Breakdown of international growth - Management explained that growth is driven by new buyers and industries, alongside market share gains [79][80] Question: Investment income trends - Management indicated that recent flatlining of investment income was due to lower-than-expected private equity income, but expects growth moving forward [99][100] Question: Share buybacks strategy - Management stated that share buybacks will be flexible based on market conditions and opportunities, with a recent authorization for $5 billion in repurchases [106] Question: Reinsurance market attractiveness - Management mentioned a disciplined approach to reinsurance, avoiding trades they deemed unattractive [110]
Chubb(CB) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-23 13:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core operating EPS reached a record $6.14, up 14% year-over-year, supported by record underwriting and strong investment results [5][6] - Core operating income was $2.5 billion, a 13% increase from the previous year [6] - Published underwriting income was $1.6 billion, up 15% year-over-year, leading to a combined ratio of 85.6, an improvement of over one percentage point [7] - Adjusted net investment income was nearly $1.7 billion, an 8% increase [7] - Tangible book value per share grew 23.7% year-over-year and 8% from the previous quarter [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America P&C premiums excluding agriculture grew 5.3%, with personal insurance up 9.1% and commercial up 4.1% [12] - Premiums in the life insurance division grew almost 17.5% [10] - Middle market and small commercial property lines showed disciplined growth, with rates continuing to rise [11] - Casualty pricing in North America increased by 11.6% [15] - International general insurance operations saw premiums up 8.5% or over 10% in constant dollars [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global P&C premiums grew 5.86% in constant dollars, with commercial up 4.2% and consumer up 11.9% [10] - Asia's premiums grew over 12.5% in constant dollars, while Europe and Latin America grew over 8% and 17%, respectively [17] - In the U.S., large account commercial property pricing has become competitive, leading to price softening [10][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes disciplined underwriting and is not pursuing business below adequate pricing [11] - Focus on growth in middle market and small commercial segments, which are expected to continue expanding [59] - The company is leveraging its global diversification and a talented workforce to drive growth [21] - Continued investment in digital and direct marketing strategies in Latin America and Asia [44][59] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a complex economic environment with potential headwinds from budget deficits and trade policies [20] - The company expects continued growth in both revenue and earnings, driven by strong fundamentals and market positioning [21] - Management remains optimistic about the durability of growth in the majority of its business segments [56] Other Important Information - The company authorized a new $5 billion share repurchase program [23][24] - Adjusted net investment income is expected to be approximately $1.72 billion to $1.74 billion next quarter [27] - The company closed on the acquisition of Liberty Mutual's P&C business in Thailand, which slightly diluted tangible book value growth [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of litigation challenges on casualty and general liability coverages - Management discussed the inflationary impact of litigation costs and the need for public policy reform to address these issues [32][33] Question: Growth in Latin America - Management highlighted strong growth driven by significant presence in Mexico and partnerships in Brazil and Chile [44][46] Question: Potential phase-out of FEMA and its impact on high net worth business - Management indicated that while FEMA provides modest coverage, the private flood market is growing and Chubb is well-positioned [50] Question: Stability of global P&C growth - Management confirmed that growth remains stable and durable, particularly in middle market and small commercial segments [56] Question: Sensitivity of large domestic accounts to social inflation - Management noted that terms and conditions have tightened due to increased litigation and social inflation, impacting coverage demand [78] Question: Investment income trends - Management explained that recent flatlining of investment income was due to lower-than-expected private equity income, but expects growth moving forward [102] Question: Reinsurance market attractiveness - Management stated that growth in the reinsurance business was muted due to a disciplined approach to underwriting [110] Question: Capital management and share buybacks - Management emphasized a flexible approach to capital deployment, balancing between supporting insurance business and returning capital to shareholders [112]
W. R. Berkley(WRB) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-21 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net income per diluted share increased by 8.7% year-over-year to $1 per share, with an annualized return on beginning of year equity of 19.1% [11] - Operating earnings were $420 million or $1.05 per share, yielding an annualized return on beginning of year equity of 20% [11] - Stockholders' equity increased by more than $380 million or 4.3% to a record $9.3 billion [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Insurance segment's accident year loss ratio excluding catastrophes was relatively flat year-over-year at 60.7%, with a combined ratio before catastrophes of 89% [13] - The Reinsurance and Monoline Excess segment's accident year loss ratio excluding catastrophes increased to 54.1%, with a strong combined ratio before catastrophes of 83.8% [13] - Net premiums earned reached a record of $3.1 billion, while net premiums written increased to a record $3.4 billion, showing growth across all lines of business [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The property market is becoming more competitive, particularly for larger accounts, while smaller accounts face less competition [19][20] - The commercial transportation market continues to see activity from Managing General Agents (MGAs), pushing for rate increases [20] - The professional liability market is mixed, with public Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance beginning to stabilize, while private and non-profit D&O remains competitive [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on achieving appropriate risk-adjusted returns and is optimistic about growth opportunities in the liability market over the next 12 to 36 months [32] - The company is maintaining a defensive posture in certain areas while leaning into higher hazard, more specialized lines of business [70] - The company is cautious about the competitive dynamics in the reinsurance market, particularly regarding ceding commissions and discipline in casualty lines [25][114] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted concerns about economic inflation, labor market dynamics, and the resilience of U.S. consumer spending as macroeconomic factors impacting the business [7][9] - The company is optimistic about its ability to manage through potential challenges related to tariffs and labor costs, while also focusing on pricing strategies [45][88] - Management expressed confidence in the investment portfolio's positioning and the potential for improved investment income [31][94] Other Important Information - The company paid ordinary and special dividends totaling $224 million in the quarter, contributing to a growth in book value per share of 6.8% for the quarter and 14.3% year-to-date [16] - The effective tax rate for the quarter was 23.2%, exceeding the U.S. statutory rate due to taxes on foreign earnings and state income taxes [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Growth potential in the current environment - Management adjusted growth expectations to a range of 8% to 12% from the previous 10% to 15% due to recent market conditions [38] Question: Underlying loss ratio dynamics - The underlying loss ratio remains primarily influenced by business mix, with no unusual factors noted [39] Question: Impact of tariffs and labor costs - Management indicated that current loss activity does not reflect significant impacts from tariffs or labor costs, but they are monitoring the situation closely [45] Question: Trajectory of margins - Management believes that current rates are positioning the company well for future improvements, but cautioned against premature conclusions [47] Question: Capital management and share buybacks - The decision not to repurchase shares was based on maintaining surplus capital for future opportunities, with a focus on special dividends as a more efficient return method [52] Question: Medical inflation and its impact - Management is closely monitoring medical inflation and its potential effects on workers' compensation and stop-loss portfolios, with sensitivity analyses conducted [65] Question: Competitive dynamics in the private client business - The company is experiencing traction in the private client space due to its expertise and value proposition, despite not being the cheapest option [126]
W. R. Berkley(WRB) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-21 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net income per diluted share increased by 8.7% year-over-year to $1 per share, with an annualized return on beginning of year equity of 19.1% [9] - Operating earnings were $420 million or $1.05 per share, yielding an annualized return on beginning of year equity of 20% [10] - Stockholders' equity increased by more than $380 million or 4.3% over the year to a record $9.3 billion [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Insurance segment's accident year loss ratio excluding catastrophes was relatively flat year-over-year at 60.7%, with a combined ratio before catastrophes of 89% [11] - The Reinsurance and Monoline Excess segment's accident year loss ratio excluding catastrophes increased to 54.1%, with a strong combined ratio before catastrophes of 83.8% [11] - Net premiums earned reached a record of $3.1 billion, while net premiums written increased to a record $3.4 billion in the quarter [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The property market is becoming more competitive, particularly for larger accounts, while smaller accounts face less competition [16][17] - The commercial transportation market is experiencing significant activity from Managing General Agents (MGAs), pushing for rate increases [18] - The professional liability market shows mixed results, with public Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance beginning to stabilize [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on achieving appropriate risk-adjusted returns and is optimistic about growth opportunities in the liability market over the next 12 to 36 months [30] - The company is maintaining a selective approach to underwriting in the competitive property market, ensuring pricing adequacy [93] - The company is evaluating opportunities in the MGA space but remains cautious about valuations [75] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted concerns about macroeconomic factors such as inflation, labor market dynamics, and consumer spending, which could impact underwriting and investment strategies [6][7] - The company is optimistic about its ability to manage through potential challenges related to tariffs and labor costs, while also focusing on maintaining strong cash flow [42][60] - Management expressed disappointment with the discipline in the casualty reinsurance market, particularly regarding ceding commissions [108] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate for the quarter was 23.2%, exceeding the U.S. statutory rate due to taxes on foreign earnings and state income taxes [13] - The company paid ordinary and special dividends totaling $224 million in the quarter, contributing to a growth in book value per share of 6.8% for the quarter [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Growth potential in a tougher quarter - Management revised growth expectations to a range of 8% to 12% instead of the previously stated 10% to 15% [34] Question: Underlying loss ratio dynamics - The underlying loss ratio remains primarily affected by business mix dynamics [36] Question: Impact of tariffs and labor costs - Management indicated that current loss activity is not significantly impacted, but they are monitoring future implications [42] Question: Trajectory of margins - Management believes that current rates are positioning the company well for future improvements, but cautioned against premature conclusions [44] Question: Capital management and share buybacks - Management clarified that the decision not to buy back shares was based on maintaining surplus capital for future opportunities [47] Question: Updates on the Mitsui stake - Management indicated no new information on the Mitsui stake and compliance with SEC regulations will be followed [56] Question: Medical inflation impact - Management is closely monitoring medical inflation and its potential effects on workers' compensation and stop-loss portfolios [60] Question: Competitive dynamics in private client business - Management noted that they are gaining traction in the private client space due to their expertise and value proposition [118]
Hamilton Insurance (HG) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-08 14:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Hamilton Insurance Group reported a net income of $81 million for Q1 2025, representing a 13.7% annualized return on average equity, compared to $157 million and 29.5% in Q1 2024 [19][22] - The gross premiums written increased by 17% to $843 million from $722 million year-over-year [21][22] - The combined ratio rose to 111.6% from 91.5% in the prior year, primarily due to catastrophe losses [22] - The attritional loss ratio decreased by 5.3 points to 51.9% compared to the first quarter last year [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Bermuda segment's gross premiums written grew by 18% to $473 million, driven by casualty and property classes [26] - The International segment's gross premiums written increased by 15% to $370 million, primarily due to growth in property, casualty, and specialty insurance classes [25] - The Bermuda segment reported an underwriting loss of $59 million, while the International segment had an underwriting income of $1 million [25][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The catastrophe loss ratio for the quarter was 30.2%, with net losses from California wildfires estimated at $143 million [4][22] - The company noted that the property cat business remains attractively priced with improved terms and conditions [8][14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Hamilton is focusing on selective growth in the casualty line, leveraging its AM Best rating upgrade to capture new business opportunities [7][38] - The company is maintaining a disciplined approach to underwriting, emphasizing strong relationships with key clients [9][52] - Hamilton is monitoring pricing trends closely and is prepared to adjust its underwriting appetite as needed [14] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating economic and geopolitical uncertainties, including potential recession impacts [16][17] - The company anticipates continued double-digit growth in its top line, supported by stable attritional loss ratios and a strong balance sheet [17][31] Other Important Information - Total net investment income for Q1 was $167 million, up from $148 million in the prior year [28] - The company repurchased $10 million of shares during the quarter, with $112 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization [30][60] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on casualty line of business and loss trend assumptions - Management noted a favorable market environment with low to mid-teens loss trends for casualty lines, emphasizing selective client partnerships [38] Question: Clarification on combined ratio movements - Management indicated that current year attritional loss picks align with expectations, influenced by the mix of business written [41] Question: Impact of business mix on expense ratio - The increase in acquisition expenses was attributed to a shift in business mix and higher profit commissions [47] Question: Confidence in casualty business quality - Management highlighted a selective approach to casualty growth, focusing on clients with strong underwriting cultures [52] Question: Clarification on Two Sigma returns - The reported return of 7.9% was a year-to-date figure through April [55]
Selective (SIGI) Q1 2025 Earnings Call
The Motley Fool· 2025-04-24 18:24
Core Viewpoint - Selective Insurance reported solid Q1 2025 results, maintaining full-year GAAP guidance of a 96%-97% combined ratio, driven by pricing discipline and portfolio optimization [4][8][11] Financial Performance - Combined ratio for Q1 2025 was 96.1%, including 3.7 points of catastrophe losses and 0.4 points of unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development [11] - Return on equity and operating return on equity were both 14.4% [3][11] - Net premiums written grew by 7%, primarily from excess and surplus lines and standard commercial lines, while personal lines premiums decreased by 12% due to profit improvement actions [8][11] - After-tax net investment income was $96 million, up 12% year-over-year [3][11] - Book value per share increased by 5% during the quarter [3] Pricing and Underwriting - Overall renewal pure pricing increased by 10.3%, up 2.2 points year-over-year, with personal lines renewal pure price at 24.1% [3][4][9] - Standard commercial lines renewal pure price was 9.1%, with general liability at 12% and commercial property and auto both exceeding 10% [3][9] - Workers' compensation pricing remained negative at approximately -3% [5][9] Strategic Initiatives - The company added 30 new agency locations in Q1 2025 and expanded into 13 new states since 2017, contributing $350 million in premiums written for standard commercial lines during 2024 [5][9] - Management expects rate changes to remain above loss trends but moderate compared to 2024 increases [5][9] Market Environment - The insurance industry faces significant macroeconomic uncertainty, including financial market performance and potential recession risks [9][10] - Social inflation continues to impact average casualty severities, prompting the company to focus on restoring consistent underwriting margins and operating ROEs [9][10] Investment Strategy - The investment portfolio remains conservatively positioned, with total fixed income and short-term investments representing 92% of the portfolio at quarter-end [11] - The average credit quality of the portfolio is A plus, with a duration of 4.1 years [11]