Press Release /
May 7, 2013

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Reports First-Quarter 2013 Financial Results


Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Reports First-Quarter 2013 Financial Results

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL–(Marketwired – May 7, 2013) – Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (Company) (NYSE MKT: UVE) reported net income of $12.0 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, an increase of 20.8 percent, for the first quarter of 2013, compared to net income of $9.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the same period in 2012.

President and CEO Sean Downes commented, “Universal began 2013 with strong operating results driven by continued strengthening of underwriting margins. We are pleased to have delivered a 21 percent increase in first quarter 2013 net income versus last year. We have continued to follow our business model and if not for the first quarter 2013 investment losses, our results would have been significantly better. We believe we are well-positioned going forward as we have engaged Deutsche Bank Investment Asset Division to manage our investment portfolio.”

First-Quarter 2013 Results

Direct premiums written collectively by Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company and American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company, the Company’s wholly-owned insurance company subsidiaries, rose 7.4 percent during the first quarter of 2013. Net earned premiums grew $16.8 million, or 34.5 percent, in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same quarter in 2012, primarily as a result of increases in premium rates over the past 24 months, and a reduction in the quota-share cession rate from 50 percent for the 2011-2012 reinsurance program to 45 percent for the 2012-2013 reinsurance program.

First-quarter 2013 operating costs increased by 8.3 percent compared to the same quarter last year, as general and administrative expenses increased $3.4 million, or 18.9 percent, while losses and loss adjustment expenses increased nominally by $0.3 million, or 1.2 percent.

At March 31, 2013, stockholders’ equity was $172.1 million compared to $163.5 million at December 31, 2012, and $156.6 million at March 31, 2012.

Cash Dividends

On February 8, 2013, the Company announced that its board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.08 per share of common stock, which was paid on April 5, 2013 to shareholders of record on March 14, 2013.

Also, on April 18, 2013, the Company announced that its board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.08 per share of common stock to be paid on June 17, 2013, to shareholders of record on June 3, 2013. The dividend declaration is consistent with the Company’s previously announced intention to declare a dividend of $0.08 per share in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2013. If declared and paid as intended, the annual dividend in 2013 would be $0.32 for each common share.

About Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a vertically integrated insurance holding company performing all aspects of insurance underwriting, distribution and claims. Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is one of the leading writers of homeowners insurance in Florida and is now fully licensed and has commenced its operations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Hawaii, Georgia, Massachusetts and Maryland. American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company (APPCIC), also a wholly-owned subsidiary, currently writes homeowners multi-peril insurance on Florida homes valued in excess of $1 million, which are limits and coverages currently not targeted through its affiliate UPCIC. For additional information on the Company, please visit our investor relations website at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Such statements may include commentary on plans, products and lines of business, marketing arrangements, reinsurance programs and other business developments and assumptions relating to the foregoing. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future results could differ materially from those described and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements. For further information regarding risk factors that could affect the Company’s operations and future results, refer to the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2013 2012
PREMIUMS EARNED AND OTHER REVENUES
Direct premiums written $ 204,139 $ 190,003
Ceded premiums written (141,317 ) (163,434 )
Net premiums written 62,822 26,569
Change in net unearned premium 2,587 22,071
Premiums earned, net 65,409 48,640
Net investment income (expense) 12 (36 )
Net realized gains (losses) on investments (trading) (16,037 ) (7,449 )
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments (trading) 7,874 9,187
Net foreign currency gains (losses) on investments 23
Commission revenue 4,986 4,541
Policy fees 3,687 3,901
Other revenue 1,524 1,440
Total premiums earned and other revenues 67,455 60,247
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses 26,483 26,174
General and administrative expenses 21,210 17,844
Total operating costs and expenses 47,693 44,018
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 19,762 16,229
Income taxes, current 3,947 774
Income taxes, deferred 3,856 5,582
Income taxes, net 7,803 6,356
NET INCOME $ 11,959 $ 9,873
Basic earnings per common share $ 0.30 $ 0.24
Weighted average common shares outstanding – Basic 39,917 39,388
Fully diluted earnings per common share $ 0.29 $ 0.24
Weighted average common shares outstanding – Diluted 41,199 40,544
Cash dividend declared per common share $ 0.08 $ 0.10
UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
As of
ASSETS March 31, 2013 December 31, 2012
Cash and cash equivalents $ 482,876 $ 347,392
Restricted cash and cash equivalents 2,653 33,009
Fixed maturities (trading), at fair value 4,009
Equity securities (trading), at fair value 85,041
Fixed maturities (available for sale), at fair value 13,968
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 252,479 239,921
Reinsurance recoverable 87,231 89,191
Reinsurance receivable, net 4,480 24,334
Premiums receivable, net 50,832 50,125
Receivable from securities sold 21,991 1,096
Other receivables 2,269 2,017
Property and equipment, net 9,128 8,968
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net 17,377 17,282
Income taxes recoverable 1,977 2,594
Deferred income tax asset, net 15,322 19,178
Other assets 1,540 1,578
Total assets $ 964,123 $ 925,735
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 182,528 $ 193,241
Unearned premiums 398,042 388,071
Advance premium 27,210 15,022
Accounts payable 4,316 4,368
Bank overdraft 27,068 25,994
Payable for securities purchased 1,275
Reinsurance payable, net 104,881 85,259
Income taxes payable 699
Dividends payable to shareholders 3,270
Other liabilities and accrued expenses 24,811 28,071
Long-term debt 19,853 20,221
Total liabilities 791,979 762,221
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Cumulative convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value 1 1
Authorized shares – 1,000
Issued shares – 108
Outstanding shares – 108
Minimum liquidation preference, $2.66 per share
Common stock, $.01 par value 417 419
Authorized shares – 55,000
Issued shares – 41,690 and 41,889
Outstanding shares – 40,672 and 40,871
Treasury shares, at cost – 1,018 (3,101 ) (3,101 )
Additional paid-in capital 38,631 38,684
Retained earnings 136,196 127,511
Total stockholders’ equity 172,144 163,514
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 964,123 $ 925,735


Investor Contact:

Philip Kranz
Dresner Corporate Services
312-780-7240
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