Reports Record Net Income of $8.4 Million for the Third Quarter
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Net income increases 109% and net premiums written increase 21% over the comparable year-earlier quarterly results.
Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc. (“Darwin,” the “Company,” or “Our”) today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007. Highlights include:
— Gross premiums written for the third quarter are $69.3 million. Third
quarter gross premiums written are 5.9% ahead of our gross premiums for
the same period a year ago. Net premiums written for the quarter of
$50.6 million are up 20.7% over the third quarter of 2006.
— Net income of $8.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007
represents a 108.7% increase over the $4.0 million for the quarter
ended September 30, 2006.
— Overall, the combined ratio is 85.4% for the third quarter 2007, which
compares favorably to the third quarter 2006 combined ratio of 96.3%.
The combined ratio improvement is primarily driven by a decrease in the
loss ratio (12.1% improvement to 57.1%). The third quarter combined
ratio improvement includes approximately $3.6 million ($2.4 million,
net of tax) in favorable loss reserve development and the corresponding
ceded premiums, offset by additional incentive compensation and profit
sharing expenses stemming from the favorable development of the 2003
through 2006 accident years.
— Earnings per diluted share for the three months ended September 30,
2007 are $0.49 compared to $0.23 per share for the same period in 2006.
— Annualized return on average equity is 12.4% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 compared to 7.7% for all of 2006. Shareholders’
equity grew $21.9 million during the first nine months of 2007, to
$239.8 million at September 30, 2007 from $217.9 million at December
31, 2006. Book value per share grew 10.2% to $14.08 at September 30,
2007 from $12.78 at December 31, 2006.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060829/NETU014LOGO )
Stephen Sills, Darwin’s president and chief executive officer, commented, “We had another excellent quarter, and remain pleased with our performance. This quarter’s net income of $8.4 million represents our best operating result in our four-and-a-half year history. Our loss emergence remains favorable and we were able to grow our book by writing new business, as well as retaining our best accounts in the face of stiffening competition. Darwin recorded an increase in gross premiums written over the third quarter of 2006 of 5.9% and demonstrated our continued commitment to underwriting profitability with a third quarter combined ratio of 85.4 percent. With significant expertise across all of our lines, we believe we’re well positioned to take advantage of the continued opportunities we see in specialty insurance.”
Darwin executives will hold a conference call to discuss this press release tomorrow morning, November 7, 2007, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time. The live webcast of Darwin’s earnings conference call, as well as our financial supplement, can be accessed through Darwin’s website at http://investor.darwinpro.com. Analysts and investors interested in participating in the live conference call may dial in to 800-599-9816 (International callers may dial 617-847-8705) and enter passcode 12623027.
The webcast version of the conference call will be archived on Darwin’s website following the date of the event. A telephonic replay of the earnings conference call will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call on November 7, 2007. To access the telephonic replay, domestic callers may dial 888-286-8010 (International callers may dial 617-801-6888) and enter passcode 69068040. The telephonic replay will be available until November 14, 2007.
Important Information
Certain matters discussed in this release are forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include the accuracy of assumptions underlying the Company’s outlook and other risks described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2006 and Form 10-Q for third quarter 2007. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s judgment as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
About Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc.
Darwin is a specialty insurance group based in Farmington, Connecticut. The Company is focused on the specialty liability insurance market and underwrites D&O liability insurance for public and private companies, E&O liability insurance, medical malpractice liability insurance, and other specialty coverages. Darwin member companies include Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc., Darwin National Assurance Company (“DNA”), and Darwin Select Insurance Company (“Darwin Select”). DNA and Darwin Select have earned a financial strength rating of “A- (Excellent)” from A.M. Best Company. Darwin is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol, “DR.” For more information about Darwin, visit www.darwinpro.com.
Additional information concerning Darwin, its finances, and business operations can be found in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 which will be filed with the SEC and at www.darwinpro.com.
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