AXIS Capital (AXS) 2025 Conference September 03, 2025 11:35 AM ET Company ParticipantsMeyer Shields - Managing DirectorVincent Tizzio - President, CEO & DirectorPeter Vogt - CFOMeyer ShieldsI mean, I can complain about it, but it's not going to change. We are going to move along. Our next session has Vince Tivio, CEO of Axis and Pete Vogt, the CFO. And I'm going to gloss over the implicit awkwardness of this question and say, first of all, that I've been working with Pete for a long time, and I think he's d ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, Kinsale's operating earnings per share increased by 6% and gross written premium grew by 8% compared to Q1 2024 [6] - The company reported a combined ratio of 82% and an annualized operating return on equity of 22.5% [6][12] - Net investment income rose by 33.1% year-over-year due to growth in the investment portfolio [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Commercial Property division experienced an 18% decrease in premium, which was the largest underwriting unit last year [9] - Excluding the Commercial Property division, Kinsale's direct written premium grew by 16.7% [10] - Personal lines and small commercial property teams continued to grow at double-digit rates [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The E&S market remained steady in Q1 2025, but competition continued to increase [11] - Overall rates for the quarter were down 1%, with the Commercial Property division seeing rates down about 20% [20] - Casualty rates overall were up modestly, driven by construction and general casualty [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Kinsale focuses on disciplined underwriting and a technology-driven low-cost model, which provides a durable competitive advantage [21][25] - The company is expanding its personal lines book, particularly in high-value homeowners and manufactured homes [18] - Kinsale aims to maintain profitability over growth, prioritizing high-margin segments and controlling underwriting [41][90] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the business model and the ability to sustain underwriting performance despite competitive pressures [40][42] - The company is well-positioned to grow even in a contracting economy, with a low expense ratio compared to competitors [46] - Management remains optimistic about growth prospects and the ability to take market share from higher-expense competitors [25] Other Important Information - The estimated loss from the Palisades wildfire was revised to about $41 million gross and $22 million net of reinsurance [7] - Kinsale repurchased $10 million in shares during Q1 2025, with expectations for similar modest levels of repurchases in the future [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Submission growth trends between property and casualty lines - The commercial property is experiencing the biggest decline in growth rate, while the rest of the properties continue to show strong submission growth [28][29] Question: Impact of competition on property slowdown - Increased competition in the large property account space is noted, with more capital entering the market [34][35] Question: Confidence in sustaining underwriting performance - Management is confident in their business model, focusing on high-margin segments and controlling underwriting [40][42] Question: Kinsale's strategy in a potential recession - The company believes it can continue to grow even in a contracting economy due to its low expense ratio [46] Question: Changes in loss trends for property and casualty lines - A decrease in reported losses and a favorable mix of business contributed to strong underlying loss ratios [54][55] Question: Appetite for large commercial property - Kinsale has not changed its appetite for large commercial property, focusing on the right pricing terms [74][75] Question: Sustainability of high loss ratios in fronting companies - Management believes that high loss ratios are unsustainable for fronting companies, which will eventually change the competitive landscape [84][85] Question: Core loss ratio and willingness to sacrifice margin for growth - Kinsale prioritizes profitability over growth, managing profitability at a granular level [88][90] Question: Competition in the commercial property market - The competitive environment in the commercial property market is described as steady, with no significant changes noted [96][99] Question: Long-term mix between property and casualty - The E&S market is generally viewed as one-third property and two-thirds casualty, with ongoing efforts to expand into homeowners insurance [104][105]