UFG(US:UFCS)2025-05-07 16:02Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net written premium grew 4% to $335.4 million, although growth was impacted by unusual ceded reinsurance premium adjustments [8] - First quarter combined ratio was 99.4%, a 0.5 point increase from Q1 2024, while the underlying loss ratio improved 2.9 points to 56.5% [8][18] - Net investment income improved to $23.5 million, primarily due to an increase in fixed maturity income [10][21] - Reported book value per share improved to $32.13, with adjusted book value per share growing to $34.16 [11][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net written premium in Core Commercial businesses grew 6% year-over-year, with renewal premium change remaining strong at 11.7% [14] - Rate achievement for general liability exceeded 9%, while automobile and umbrella lines produced double-digit rate changes [14][15] - Specialty and surety businesses performed in line with expectations, contributing to overall growth [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Catastrophe losses contributed five points to the combined ratio, including $8.2 million from California wildfires [10][19] - The company experienced a strong underwriting profit despite elevated industry catastrophe losses [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is in the final stages of developing a new policy administration system, which is expected to improve process efficiency and product management [12] - Focus remains on disciplined pricing, stable retention, and increased new business production across the portfolio [8][13] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to manage potential impacts from material and labor cost inflation through disciplined pricing and regular trend evaluations [26][27] - The company anticipates that the impact of additional ceded premium will diminish in the remaining quarters [13] Other Important Information - The first quarter expense ratio increased by three points to 37.9%, influenced by costs associated with the new policy administration system and elevated performance-based compensation for agents [10][23] - The company declared and paid a $0.16 per share cash dividend to shareholders [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Current pricing power and ability to counter potential greater loss expenses - Management is closely monitoring the situation and believes that current rates exceed net loss trends, allowing for a cushion in estimates [26][27] Question: Underwriting expense ratio and levers to bring it down - The expense ratio was elevated due to one-time costs related to the new policy administration system, which is expected to normalize over time as the system is fully deployed [29][30][32] Question: Expectations for normalization of costs as the company grows - Management indicated that fixed costs provide leverage with premium growth, and the expense ratio is expected to normalize as agent performance returns to historical averages [33]