FBL Financial Group Reports Second Quarter 2019 Results

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa--()--FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: FFG):

Financial Highlights

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

2019

 

2018

Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group

$

32,298

 

 

$

32,803

 

Adjusted operating income(1)

31,737

 

 

31,915

 

Earnings per common share (assuming dilution):

 

 

 

Net income

1.30

 

 

1.31

 

Adjusted operating income(1)

1.28

 

 

1.28

 

FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: FFG) today reported net income attributable to FBL Financial Group for the second quarter of 2019 of $32.3 million, or $1.30 per diluted common share, compared to $32.8 million, or $1.31 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2018. Adjusted operating income(1) totaled $31.7 million, or $1.28 per common share, for the second quarter of 2019, compared to $31.9 million, or $1.28 per common share, for the second quarter of 2018. Second quarter 2019 earnings per share reflects:

  • Mortality results better than expected in the Life segment
  • Lower amortization of acquisition costs in the Corporate and Other segment due to the positive impact of equity markets on separate account performance
  • The benefit of other investment-related income of $0.05 per share
  • Lower spread income in the Annuity segment

Adjusted operating income differs from the GAAP measure, net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, in that it excludes realized gains and losses on investments, and the change in net unrealized gains and losses on derivatives and equity securities. For further information on this non-GAAP financial measure, please refer to Note (1) and the reconciliation provided within this release.

"FBL Financial Group’s second quarter 2019 earnings results were very strong with second quarter net income of $1.30 per share and adjusted operating income of $1.28 per share,” said James P. Brannen, Chief Executive Officer of FBL Financial Group, Inc. “We continue to focus on the fundamentals: serving the needs of the Farm Bureau niche market and providing products and services to protect what our customers value most. This focus, along with financial discipline, drives our consistently strong results, allowing us to fulfill our purpose of protecting livelihood and futures."

Product Revenues Increase from 2018. Premiums and product charges for the second quarter of 2019 increased to $83.5 million compared to $82.0 million in the second quarter of 2018. Interest sensitive product charges increased 5 percent while traditional life insurance premiums decreased slightly during the quarter. Premiums collected(2) in the second quarter of 2019 totaled $152.2 million compared to $171.4 million in the second quarter of 2018. Life insurance premiums collected increased two percent while annuity premiums collected decreased 25 percent, impacted by the low market interest rate environment.

Investment Income of $105 Million in Second Quarter. Net investment income in the second quarter of 2019 totaled $104.9 million, compared to $104.0 million in the second quarter of 2018. This increase reflects an increase in average invested assets, partially offset by lower investment yields. The annualized yield earned on average invested assets, with securities at amortized cost, including investments held as securities and indebtedness of related parties, was 5.00 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to 5.18 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2018. At June 30, 2019, 98 percent of the fixed maturity securities in FBL Financial Group's investment portfolio were investment grade debt securities.

Benefits and Expenses. Benefits and expenses totaled $156.5 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $153.0 million in the second quarter of 2018. Death benefits, net of reinsurance and reserves released, totaled $25.1 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $26.6 million in the second quarter of 2018. By its nature, mortality experience can fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

Net Realized Gains in the Second Quarter. In the second quarter of 2019, FBL Financial Group recognized net realized gains on investments of $0.4 million. This is attributable to realized gains of $0.2 million, realized losses of $0.3 million and a gain from the increase in fair value of equity securities of $0.5 million.

Stock Repurchases. During the second quarter of 2019, FBL Financial Group did not repurchase any shares of its Class A or Class B common stock. FBL Financial Group has $36.3 million remaining under its current stock repurchase program.

Capital and Book Value. As of June 30, 2019, the book value per share of FBL Financial Group common stock totaled $56.55, compared to $47.78 at December 31, 2018. Book value per share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income(3), totaled $44.27 at June 30, 2019, compared to $44.09 at December 31, 2018. The June 30, 2019 company action level risk based capital ratio of FBL Financial Group's wholly owned subsidiary, Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, was approximately 553 percent.

Further Financial Information. Further information on FBL Financial Group's financial results, including results by segment, may be found in FBL Financial Group's financial supplement, available on its website, www.fblfinancial.com.

Conference Call. FBL Financial Group will hold a conference call with investors tomorrow, August 2, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be webcast and a replay will be available on FBL Financial Group's website.

Certain statements in this release concerning FBL Financial Group's prospects for the future are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the “safe harbor” from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements generally can be identified by their context, including terms such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” or similar words. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties are detailed in FBL Financial Group's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, difficult conditions in financial markets and the economy, lack of liquidity and access to capital, investment valuations, competitive factors, a decrease in ratings, changes in laws and regulations, differences between actual claims experience and underwriting assumptions, relationships with Farm Bureau organizations, the ability to attract and retain sales agents and adverse results from litigation. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which FBL Financial Group believes to be reasonable; however, no assurance can be given that the assumptions will prove to be correct. FBL Financial Group undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

FBL Financial Group is a holding company whose purpose is to protect livelihoods and futures. Operating under the consumer brand name Farm Bureau Financial Services, it offers a broad range of life insurance, annuity and investment products distributed by multiline exclusive Farm Bureau agents. In addition, FBL Financial Group manages all aspects of two Farm Bureau affiliated property-casualty insurance companies for a management fee. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, FBL Financial Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FFG. For more information, please visit www.fblfinancial.com and www.fbfs.com.

- FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTES FOLLOW -

FBL Financial Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Three months ended

 

Six months ended

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

2019

 

2018

 

2019

 

2018

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest sensitive product charges

$

32,534

 

 

$

30,906

 

 

$

63,800

 

 

$

61,004

 

Traditional life insurance premiums

 

50,987

 

 

 

51,091

 

 

 

100,379

 

 

 

100,588

 

Net investment income

 

104,894

 

 

 

103,974

 

 

 

214,534

 

 

 

204,996

 

Net realized capital gains (losses)

 

377

 

 

 

841

 

 

 

10,534

 

 

 

(906

)

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

 

 

 

 

(869

)

 

 

(1,040

)

Other income

 

4,114

 

 

 

3,637

 

 

 

8,084

 

 

 

8,237

 

Total revenues

 

192,906

 

 

 

190,449

 

 

 

396,462

 

 

 

372,879

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest sensitive product benefits

 

65,223

 

 

 

62,637

 

 

 

135,819

 

 

 

123,982

 

Traditional life insurance benefits

 

41,960

 

 

 

43,725

 

 

 

88,635

 

 

 

89,181

 

Policyholder dividends

 

2,564

 

 

 

2,560

 

 

 

5,098

 

 

 

5,111

 

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses

 

38,948

 

 

 

37,210

 

 

 

75,137

 

 

 

76,787

 

Interest expense

 

1,212

 

 

 

1,213

 

 

 

2,424

 

 

 

2,426

 

Other expenses

 

6,635

 

 

 

5,627

 

 

 

12,885

 

 

 

11,220

 

Total benefits and expenses

 

156,542

 

 

 

152,972

 

 

 

319,998

 

 

 

308,707

 

 

 

36,364

 

 

 

37,477

 

 

 

76,464

 

 

 

64,172

 

Income taxes

 

(5,511

)

 

 

(5,831

)

 

 

(11,787

)

 

 

(9,644

)

Equity income, net of related income taxes

 

1,404

 

 

 

1,139

 

 

 

1,624

 

 

 

1,799

 

Net income

 

32,257

 

 

 

32,785

 

 

 

66,301

 

 

 

56,327

 

 

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

41

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

41

 

Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.

$

32,298

 

 

$

32,803

 

 

$

66,341

 

 

$

56,368

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share - assuming dilution

$

1.30

 

 

$

1.31

 

 

$

2.68

 

 

$

2.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares

 

24,757,090

 

 

 

24,916,597

 

 

 

24,761,161

 

 

 

24,960,391

 

Effect of dilutive securities

 

11,122

 

 

 

12,903

 

 

 

11,149

 

 

 

14,405

 

Weighted average common shares - diluted

 

24,768,212

 

 

 

24,929,500

 

 

 

24,772,310

 

 

 

24,974,796

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to FBL Financial Group to Adjusted Operating Income - Unaudited

FBL Financial Group consistently utilizes adjusted operating income, a financial measure common in the life insurance industry that is not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), as a primary economic measure to evaluate its financial performance. Adjusted operating income consists of net income attributable to FBL Financial Group adjusted to exclude realized gains and losses on investments, and the change in fair value of derivatives and equity securities, which can fluctuate greatly from period to period. These fluctuations make it difficult to analyze core operating trends. In addition, for derivatives not designated as hedges, there is a mismatch between the valuation of the asset and liability when deriving net income (loss). Specifically, call options relating to indexed business are one-year assets while the embedded derivatives in the indexed contracts represent the rights of the contract holder to receive index credits over the entire period the indexed products are expected to be in force. This non-GAAP measure is used for goal setting, determining short-term incentive compensation and evaluating performance on a basis comparable to that used by many in the investment community. FBL Financial Group believes the presentation and evaluation of adjusted operating income provides information that may enhance an investor's understanding of FBL Financial Group's underlying results and profitability. A reconciliation is provided in the following table:

 

Three months ended

 

Six months ended

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

2019

 

2018

 

2019

 

2018

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group

$

32,298

 

 

$

32,803

 

 

$

66,341

 

 

$

56,368

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized gains/losses on investments(a)

(289

)

 

(694

)

 

(7,519

)

 

1,529

 

Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives(a)

(272

)

 

(194

)

 

(1,183

)

 

315

 

Adjusted operating income

$

31,737

 

 

$

31,915

 

 

$

57,639

 

 

$

58,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted operating income per common share - assuming dilution

$

1.28

 

 

$

1.28

 

 

$

2.32

 

 

$

2.33

 

 

(a) Net of adjustments, as applicable, to amortization of unearned revenue reserves, deferred acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, interest sensitive policy reserves and income taxes attributable to these items.

(2) Premiums Collected - Net statutory premiums collected is a non-GAAP measure and includes premiums collected from annuities and universal life-type products. It is a useful metric for investors as it is a measure of sales production. For GAAP reporting, these premiums received are not reported as revenues.

(3) Reconciliation of Book Value Per Share Excluding Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Unaudited

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

2019

2018

Book value per share

$

56.55

 

 

$

47.78

 

Less: Per share impact of accumulated other comprehensive income

12.28

 

 

3.69

 

Book value per share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income

$

44.27

 

 

$

44.09

 

Book value per share excluding accumulated other comprehensive income is a non-GAAP financial measure. Accumulated other comprehensive income totaled $302.8 million at June 30, 2019 and $91.3 million at December 31, 2018. Since accumulated other comprehensive income fluctuates from quarter to quarter due to unrealized changes in the fair value of investments caused principally by changes in market interest rates, FBL Financial Group believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful supplemental information.

FBL Financial Group, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

2019

2018

Assets

 

 

 

Investments

$

8,869,910

 

 

$

8,414,118

 

Cash and cash equivalents

13,854

 

 

19,035

 

Deferred acquisition costs

314,301

 

 

418,802

 

Other assets

436,454

 

 

420,394

 

Assets held in separate accounts

625,177

 

 

561,281

 

Total assets

$

10,259,696

 

 

$

9,833,630

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Future policy benefits

$

7,298,402

 

 

$

7,205,471

 

Other policy funds, claims and benefits

601,038

 

 

615,177

 

Debt

97,000

 

 

97,000

 

Other liabilities

240,537

 

 

170,442

 

Liabilities related to separate accounts

625,177

 

 

561,281

 

Total liabilities

8,862,154

 

 

8,649,371

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity

 

 

 

FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

Preferred stock

3,000

 

 

3,000

 

Class A common stock

152,454

 

 

152,652

 

Class B common stock

72

 

 

72

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

302,793

 

 

91,318

 

Retained earnings

939,143

 

 

937,097

 

Total FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity

1,397,462

 

 

1,184,139

 

Noncontrolling interest

80

 

 

120

 

Total stockholders' equity

1,397,542

 

 

1,184,259

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

10,259,696

 

 

$

9,833,630

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding

24,659,885

 

 

24,718,815

 

 

Contacts

Kathleen Till Stange, V.P. Corporate & Investor Relations
(515) 226-6780, Kathleen.TillStange@FBLFinancial.com

Release Summary

FBL Financial Group Reports Second Quarter 2019 Results

$Cashtags

Contacts

Kathleen Till Stange, V.P. Corporate & Investor Relations
(515) 226-6780, Kathleen.TillStange@FBLFinancial.com