GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, Feb. 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global Indemnity Limited (NASDAQ:GBLI) today reported record earnings per share of $4.88 and net income of $70 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $126.7 million over 2018. Gross Written Premiums increased 16.2% to $636.9 million in 2019 and Net Written Premiums of $562.1 million was the highest in the Company’s history. The Company’s combined ratio in 2019 was 92.2%, 20.1 points better than 2018. Total investment return for the year was 7.8%. Book value per share increased by 15.0% in 2019 (17.2% including dividends paid in 2019), from $44.21 per share at December 31, 2018 to $50.82 per share ($51.82 including dividends paid in 2019) at December 31, 2019.About Global Indemnity Limited and its subsidiariesGlobal Indemnity Limited (NASDAQ:GBLI), through its several direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiary insurance and reinsurance companies, provides both admitted and non-admitted specialty property and specialty casualty insurance coverages and individual policyholder coverages in the United States, as well as reinsurance worldwide. Global Indemnity Limited’s four primary segments are:United States Based Commercial Specialty
United States Based Specialty Property
United States Based Farm, Ranch, & Stable
Bermuda Based ReinsuranceThe Company’s Commercial Specialty segment was formerly known as Commercial Lines. During the 1st quarter of 2019, the Company re-evaluated its Personal Lines segment and determined that Personal Lines should be bifurcated into two reportable segments: Specialty Property and Farm, Ranch, & Stable.For more information, visit the Global Indemnity Limited’s website at http://www.globalindemnity.ky.Forward-Looking InformationThe forward-looking statements contained in this press release1 do not address a number of risks and uncertainties. Investors are cautioned that Global Indemnity’s actual results may be materially different from the estimates expressed in, or implied, or projected by, the forward looking statements. These statements are based on estimates and information available to us at the time of this press release. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Global Indemnity as of the date hereof. Please see Global Indemnity’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks and uncertainties which could impact the company and for a more detailed explication regarding forward-looking statements. Global Indemnity does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. [1] Disseminated pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of Section 21E of the Security Exchange Act of 1934.Global Indemnity Limited’s Combined Ratio for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a combined ratio of 92.2% (Loss Ratio 52.5% and Expense Ratio 39.7%) compared to 112.3% (Loss Ratio 71.5% and Expense Ratio 40.8%) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.The current accident year property loss ratio improved by 26.1 points to 59.5% in 2019 from 85.6% in 2018 primarily due to lower claims frequency and severity in the U.S. Insurance Operations as well as improvements in the loss ratio on property treaties within Reinsurance Operations.
The current accident year casualty loss ratio improved by 2.2 points to 57.0% in 2019 compared to 59.2% in 2018 primarily due to lower claims frequency and severity in the U.S. Insurance Operations.Calendar year results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 include $32.8 million in favorable loss development mainly from the U.S. Insurance Operations.Global Indemnity Limited’s Gross and Net Written Premiums Results by Segment for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
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