home owners insurance
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the Company or Universal) (NYSE Amex: UVE), a vertically integrated insurance holding company, announced third-quarter 2009 net income of $11.5 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared to $7.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008.
Net income grew 56.2 percent for the third quarter of 2009, as compared to the same quarter last year, largely attributed to realized gains on investments and foreign currency gains on investments which offset pressure on the Company's operating results because of state mandated wind mitigation credits and previous state mandated premium rate decreases, and increased expenses from higher reinsurance costs in 2009. As a whole, the Company's investment portfolio has performed well, and as of September 30, 2009, contained $7.6 million of pre-tax unrealized gains. As a result of continued profitability, the Company's balance sheet also strengthened, as stockholders' equity increased 6.9 percent at September 30, 2009, as compared to June 30, 2009. These achievements have afforded the Company the ability to declare an aggregate of 54 cents per share in dividends in 2009, including a year-end dividend of 20 cents per share.
UPCIC, the Company's wholly-owned regulated insurance subsidiary, recently received approval from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Florida OIR) for a premium rate increase for its dwelling fire program within the state of Florida. The premium rate increase, which will average approximately 14.8 percent statewide, was effective November 5, 2009 for new business and will be effective December 29, 2009 for renewal business. Also, in October 2009 the Company announced that the Florida OIR approved a premium rate increase averaging 14.6 percent statewide for UPCIC's homeowner's program within the state of Florida. The effective dates for the premium rate increase are October 22, 2009, for new business and December 11, 2009, for renewal business. These approvals follow the February 2009 Florida OIR approval of UPCIC's premium rate increases of 4.8 percent statewide for homeowners' policies and 4.7 percent statewide for dwelling fire policies, which are flowing through UPCIC's book of business. The Company anticipates that these premium rate increases will help mitigate increased operating expenses, which are partially a result of increased reinsurance costs for the 2009 period. Furthermore, the Company expects that the premium rate increases will improve profitability as they become implemented across UPCIC's book of business.
UPCIC's policy count continues to show growth. UPCIC is in the early stages of writing policies in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Hawaii and the Company intends to grow UPCIC's presence in these new markets as the Company continues to expand relationships with independent agents. UPCIC also intends to write property and casualty insurance in Georgia pending the approval of its rates and forms by the Georgia Department of Insurance.
In Texas, the Company has submitted an application to form a separate property and casualty insurance subsidiary to write property and casualty coverage which remains under review by the Texas Department of Insurance. The Company also believes that new opportunities exist within the Florida insurance market for American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company, which is Universal's subsidiary that intends to write insurance in the state of Florida in the lines of homeowners' multi-peril and inland marine on homes valued in excess of $1 million, a product offering not currently marketed through UPCIC, upon approval from the Florida OIR.
Third-Quarter Results
Net income increased 56.2 percent to $11.5 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009, from $7.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the same period of 2008. The improvement in net income and earnings per diluted share in the third quarter of 2009 was primarily a result of $12.1 million of pre-tax realized gains on investments and $6.1 million of pre-tax foreign currency gains on investments during the 2009 third quarter, as compared to no realized gains on investments or foreign currency gains on investments during the 2008 third quarter.
Comprehensive income increased by approximately $504 thousand during the 2009 third quarter, as compared to the same quarter last year, as a result of increased net income and a decrease in net unrealized gains on investments, net of tax, of $3.6 million. The change in net unrealized gains on investments, net of tax, was also impacted by market value fluctuations within the Company's investment portfolio during the 2009 third quarter. As of September 30, 2009, the Company's investment portfolio contained $7.6 million of pre-tax unrealized gains on investments. The Company did not hold any fixed maturities or equity securities during the 2008 third quarter.
UPCIC saw continued growth in its policy count, servicing approximately 536,000 homeowners' and dwelling fire insurance policies as of September 30, 2009, up from 520,000 policies and 451,000 policies at June 30, 2009, and September 30, 2008, respectively. The increase in the number of policies in-force continues to be the result of heightened relationships with existing agents, an increase in the number of new agents, and continued expansion opportunities that exist within the Florida marketplace. Additionally, as previously announced, UPCIC has started to write homeowners' insurance policies in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Hawaii. As of September 30, 2009, the subsidiary has written approximately 2,800 policies totaling approximately $4.2 million of in-force premiums in those states.
In-force premiums were approximately $563.0 million as of September 30, 2009, versus $519.3 million at September 30, 2008, while direct premiums written were $134.6 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $124.7 million for the same period of 2008. In-force premiums at June 30, 2009, were approximately $550.7 million.
Notwithstanding an increase in the number of homeowners' and dwelling fire insurance policies serviced by UPCIC and related growth in direct premiums written during the 2009 third quarter, net premiums earned decreased 14.0 percent to $32.8 million in the third quarter of 2009, from $38.1 million in the 2008 third quarter, as a result of a decrease in net premiums written. These decreases were a result of state mandated wind mitigation discounts and previous state mandated premium rate decreases, and the effects of higher reinsurance costs in the 2009 period.
UPCIC recognized a higher volume of premium discounts in response to a state-required wind mitigation discount program available to policyholders, which have had a continued significant negative effect on UPCIC's premium volume and impacted net income. As of September 30, 2009, 43.0 percent of UPCIC policyholders were receiving wind mitigation credits totaling $210.3 million, (a 27.5 percent reduction of in-force premium), while 27.3 percent of UPCIC policyholders were receiving wind mitigation credits totaling $97.8 million, (a 16.0 percent reduction of in-force premium), at September 30, 2008.
Premium rates decreased 4.1 percent statewide for homeowners' policies and 0.2 percent statewide for dwelling fire policies as required by the Florida legislature in January 2008 for the homeowners' program and March 2008 for the dwelling fire program. The effect of these rate decreases on existing policies and the corresponding premium decreases in direct written premium was fully recognized in UPCIC's policies by early 2009. In February 2009, rate increases of 4.8 percent statewide for homeowners' policies and 4.7 percent statewide for dwelling fire policies were approved by the Florida OIR and implemented in February 2009, for new business and April 2009, for renewal business. In October 2009, rate increases of 14.6 percent statewide for UPCIC's homeowner's program were approved by the Florida OIR and implemented in October 2009 for new business, and will be implemented in December 2009, for renewal business. Most recently, average rate increases of approximately 14.8 percent statewide for UPCIC's dwelling fire policies were approved by the Florida OIR and were effective on November 5, 2009 for new business, and will be effective December 29, 2009, for renewal business. UPCIC expects these premium rate increases to help mitigate increased operating expenses, partially a result of increased reinsurance costs for the 2009 period, and improve profitability as they become implemented across UPCIC's book of business.
Net investment income decreased 47.1 percent to approximately $587 thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009, from $1.1 million for the same period of 2008. Net investment income is comprised primarily of interest and dividends. The decrease is primarily because of changes in the composition of the Company's investment portfolio during the three-month period ended September 30, 2009.
Realized gains on investments increased to $12.1 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009, from no realized gains on investments for the three-month period ended September 30, 2008. The increase is a result of the expansion of the Company's investment portfolio into fixed securities and equity securities and the related sales of certain of these securities.
Foreign currency gains on investments increased to $6.1 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009, from no foreign currency gains on investments during the same period ended 2008. Foreign currency gains increased in the current period as a result of the expansion of the Company's investment portfolio into fixed maturities and equity securities, which are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and the related sales of certain of these securities.
The Company's commission revenue increased 21.4 percent to $8.1 million in the 2009 third quarter, from $6.7 million in the same quarter last year. Commission revenue is comprised principally of the managing general agent's policy fee income and service fee income on all new and renewal insurance policies, reinsurance commission sharing agreements, and commissions generated from agency operations. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in reinsurance commission sharing of approximately $1.1 million, and an increase in the managing general agent's policy fee income of approximately $303 thousand.
In the third quarter of 2009, net losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) increased 0.6 percent to $23.8 million from $23.6 million in the third quarter of 2008. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company incurred net losses and LAE of approximately $2.9 million related to tropical storm Fay. While there was an absence of incurred net losses and LAE related to adverse weather events during the third quarter of 2009, the Company incurred an increase in net losses and LAE in connection with the servicing of additional policies.
The net loss ratio, which is derived from net losses and LAE as a percentage of net earned premium, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009 was 72.6 percent compared to 62.0 percent for the same period of 2008. The increase in the net loss ratio is attributable to the increase in net losses and LAE incurred, coupled with a decrease in net earned premium in the 2009 quarter as compared to the 2008 quarter.
Net premiums earned decreased 14.0 percent in the third quarter of 2009 as compared to the same quarter last year, and the average premium per policy decreased significantly because of the wind mitigation credits and premium rate decreases. At September 30, 2009, UPCIC was servicing approximately 536,000 homeowners' and dwelling fire insurance policies with in-force premiums of approximately $563.0 million, or an average of $1,050 per policy, while the amount of policies UPCIC was servicing at September 30, 2008 was approximately 451,000 with in-force premiums of approximately $519.3 million, or an average of $1,151. Consequently, as a result of increased net losses and LAE in connection with the servicing of additional policies, the net loss and LAE ratio increased significantly for the 2009 period. Additionally, total reinsurance costs were higher for the 2009 period as compared to the 2008 period, which reduced net earned premium.
Third-quarter 2009 general and administrative expenses increased 57.8 percent to $18.7 million from $11.8 million in the 2008 third quarter. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to several factors including lower ceding commissions, increased salaries for existing employees and higher employee count due to business growth. On a year-over-year basis, during the 2009 third quarter ceding commissions decreased as a result of the quota share reinsurance commission rate reduction to 25 percent for the 2009 to 2010 contract year from 31 percent for the 2008 to 2009 contract year. Deferred policy acquisition costs were also affected by this reduction. As mentioned above, UPCIC's recent premium rate increases are anticipated to mitigate increased operating expenses as they begin to flow through UPCIC's book of business.
At September 30, 2009, stockholders' equity increased to $126.9 million from $118.7 million at June 30, 2009, representing growth of 6.9 percent. As of September 30, 2009, UPCIC's statutory capital and surplus was $102.7 million versus $103.1 million at June 30, 2009.
Year-End Cash Dividend
On November 3, 2009, Universal's board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share payable on December 4, 2009 to shareholders of record as of November 16, 2009. The board of directors' decision to declare the dividend reflected the Company's positive results through the third quarter of 2009 and management's assessment of the Company's business and corporate needs.
Investment Portfolio Update
As of September 30, 2009, the Company's investments in equity securities and fixed maturities totaled $89.4 million, as compared to $208.6 million at June 30, 2009. The reduction of investments in fixed maturities and equity securities within the investment portfolio during the third quarter of 2009 relates to the sale of certain of these securities, which contributed to an increased cash position at September 30, 2009, as compared to June 30, 2009. At September 30, 2009, approximately 79.2 percent of the investments were in equity securities considered available for sale and 20.8 percent were in fixed maturities available for sale. As of September 30, 2009, the Company's investment portfolio contained $7.6 million of pre-tax unrealized gains.
The equity security positions continue to be comprised of holdings in natural resources sectors including metals, energy, and agriculture. At this time, the Company does not participate in swaps, options, futures or forward contracts to hedge or enhance the investment portfolio; however, in the future the Company may use swaps, options, futures or forward contracts to hedge unrealized gains.
About Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (UIH) is a vertically integrated insurance holding company, which through its various subsidiaries, covers substantially all aspects of insurance underwriting, distribution, claims processing and exposure management. Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of UIH, is one of the five leading writers of homeowners' insurance in Florida and is now fully licensed and has commenced its operations in Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina and South Carolina. Additionally, the Company has filed an application to the Texas Department of Insurance to form a separate property and casualty subsidiary to write homeowners' insurance coverage in Texas. For additional information on the Company, please visit our investor relations Web site at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com
Readers should refer generally to reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), specifically the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009, for a discussion of the risk factors that could affect its operations. Such factors include, without limitation, exposure to catastrophic losses; reliance on the Company's reinsurance program; underwriting performance on catastrophe and non-catastrophe risks; the ability to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; competition and its effect on pricing, spending and third-party relationships; the Company's financial stability rating; product pricing and revenues; and the effect of Federal or state laws and regulations. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this press release based on new information or otherwise.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," and "project," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Such statements may include, but not be limited to, projections of revenues, income or loss, expenses, plans, 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 in forward-looking statements.
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the Company or Universal) (NYSE Amex: UVE), a vertically integrated insurance holding company, announced third-quarter 2009 net income of $11.5 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared to $7.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008.
Net income grew 56.2 percent for the third quarter of 2009, as compared to the same quarter last year, largely attributed to realized gains on investments and foreign currency gains on investments which offset pressure on the Company's operating results because of state mandated wind mitigation credits and previous state mandated premium rate decreases, and increased expenses from higher reinsurance costs in 2009. As a whole, the Company's investment portfolio has performed well, and as of September 30, 2009, contained $7.6 million of pre-tax unrealized gains. As a result of continued profitability, the Company's balance sheet also strengthened, as stockholders' equity increased 6.9 percent at September 30, 2009, as compared to June 30, 2009. These achievements have afforded the Company the ability to declare an aggregate of 54 cents per share in dividends in 2009, including a year-end dividend of 20 cents per share.
UPCIC, the Company's wholly-owned regulated insurance subsidiary, recently received approval from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Florida OIR) for a premium rate increase for its dwelling fire program within the state of Florida. The premium rate increase, which will average approximately 14.8 percent statewide, was effective November 5, 2009 for new business and will be effective December 29, 2009 for renewal business. Also, in October 2009 the Company announced that the Florida OIR approved a premium rate increase averaging 14.6 percent statewide for UPCIC's homeowner's program within the state of Florida. The effective dates for the premium rate increase are October 22, 2009, for new business and December 11, 2009, for renewal business. These approvals follow the February 2009 Florida OIR approval of UPCIC's premium rate increases of 4.8 percent statewide for homeowners' policies and 4.7 percent statewide for dwelling fire policies, which are flowing through UPCIC's book of business. The Company anticipates that these premium rate increases will help mitigate increased operating expenses, which are partially a result of increased reinsurance costs for the 2009 period. Furthermore, the Company expects that the premium rate increases will improve profitability as they become implemented across UPCIC's book of business.
UPCIC's policy count continues to show growth. UPCIC is in the early stages of writing policies in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Hawaii and the Company intends to grow UPCIC's presence in these new markets as the Company continues to expand relationships with independent agents. UPCIC also intends to write property and casualty insurance in Georgia pending the approval of its rates and forms by the Georgia Department of Insurance.
In Texas, the Company has submitted an application to form a separate property and casualty insurance subsidiary to write property and casualty coverage which remains under review by the Texas Department of Insurance. The Company also believes that new opportunities exist within the Florida insurance market for American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company, which is Universal's subsidiary that intends to write insurance in the state of Florida in the lines of homeowners' multi-peril and inland marine on homes valued in excess of $1 million, a product offering not currently marketed through UPCIC, upon approval from the Florida OIR.
Third-Quarter Results
Net income increased 56.2 percent to $11.5 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009, from $7.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the same period of 2008. The improvement in net income and earnings per diluted share in the third quarter of 2009 was primarily a result of $12.1 million of pre-tax realized gains on investments and $6.1 million of pre-tax foreign currency gains on investments during the 2009 third quarter, as compared to no realized gains on investments or foreign currency gains on investments during the 2008 third quarter.
Comprehensive income increased by approximately $504 thousand during the 2009 third quarter, as compared to the same quarter last year, as a result of increased net income and a decrease in net unrealized gains on investments, net of tax, of $3.6 million. The change in net unrealized gains on investments, net of tax, was also impacted by market value fluctuations within the Company's investment portfolio during the 2009 third quarter. As of September 30, 2009, the Company's investment portfolio contained $7.6 million of pre-tax unrealized gains on investments. The Company did not hold any fixed maturities or equity securities during the 2008 third quarter.
UPCIC saw continued growth in its policy count, servicing approximately 536,000 homeowners' and dwelling fire insurance policies as of September 30, 2009, up from 520,000 policies and 451,000 policies at June 30, 2009, and September 30, 2008, respectively. The increase in the number of policies in-force continues to be the result of heightened relationships with existing agents, an increase in the number of new agents, and continued expansion opportunities that exist within the Florida marketplace. Additionally, as previously announced, UPCIC has started to write homeowners' insurance policies in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Hawaii. As of September 30, 2009, the subsidiary has written approximately 2,800 policies totaling approximately $4.2 million of in-force premiums in those states.
In-force premiums were approximately $563.0 million as of September 30, 2009, versus $519.3 million at September 30, 2008, while direct premiums written were $134.6 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $124.7 million for the same period of 2008. In-force premiums at June 30, 2009, were approximately $550.7 million.
Notwithstanding an increase in the number of homeowners' and dwelling fire insurance policies serviced by UPCIC and related growth in direct premiums written during the 2009 third quarter, net premiums earned decreased 14.0 percent to $32.8 million in the third quarter of 2009, from $38.1 million in the 2008 third quarter, as a result of a decrease in net premiums written. These decreases were a result of state mandated wind mitigation discounts and previous state mandated premium rate decreases, and the effects of higher reinsurance costs in the 2009 period.
UPCIC recognized a higher volume of premium discounts in response to a state-required wind mitigation discount program available to policyholders, which have had a continued significant negative effect on UPCIC's premium volume and impacted net income. As of September 30, 2009, 43.0 percent of UPCIC policyholders were receiving wind mitigation credits totaling $210.3 million, (a 27.5 percent reduction of in-force premium), while 27.3 percent of UPCIC policyholders were receiving wind mitigation credits totaling $97.8 million, (a 16.0 percent reduction of in-force premium), at September 30, 2008.
Premium rates decreased 4.1 percent statewide for homeowners' policies and 0.2 percent statewide for dwelling fire policies as required by the Florida legislature in January 2008 for the homeowners' program and March 2008 for the dwelling fire program. The effect of these rate decreases on existing policies and the corresponding premium decreases in direct written premium was fully recognized in UPCIC's policies by early 2009. In February 2009, rate increases of 4.8 percent statewide for homeowners' policies and 4.7 percent statewide for dwelling fire policies were approved by the Florida OIR and implemented in February 2009, for new business and April 2009, for renewal business. In October 2009, rate increases of 14.6 percent statewide for UPCIC's homeowner's program were approved by the Florida OIR and implemented in October 2009 for new business, and will be implemented in December 2009, for renewal business. Most recently, average rate increases of approximately 14.8 percent statewide for UPCIC's dwelling fire policies were approved by the Florida OIR and were effective on November 5, 2009 for new business, and will be effective December 29, 2009, for renewal business. UPCIC expects these premium rate increases to help mitigate increased operating expenses, partially a result of increased reinsurance costs for the 2009 period, and improve profitability as they become implemented across UPCIC's book of business.
Net investment income decreased 47.1 percent to approximately $587 thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009, from $1.1 million for the same period of 2008. Net investment income is comprised primarily of interest and dividends. The decrease is primarily because of changes in the composition of the Company's investment portfolio during the three-month period ended September 30, 2009.
Realized gains on investments increased to $12.1 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009, from no realized gains on investments for the three-month period ended September 30, 2008. The increase is a result of the expansion of the Company's investment portfolio into fixed securities and equity securities and the related sales of certain of these securities.
Foreign currency gains on investments increased to $6.1 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009, from no foreign currency gains on investments during the same period ended 2008. Foreign currency gains increased in the current period as a result of the expansion of the Company's investment portfolio into fixed maturities and equity securities, which are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and the related sales of certain of these securities.
The Company's commission revenue increased 21.4 percent to $8.1 million in the 2009 third quarter, from $6.7 million in the same quarter last year. Commission revenue is comprised principally of the managing general agent's policy fee income and service fee income on all new and renewal insurance policies, reinsurance commission sharing agreements, and commissions generated from agency operations. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in reinsurance commission sharing of approximately $1.1 million, and an increase in the managing general agent's policy fee income of approximately $303 thousand.
In the third quarter of 2009, net losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) increased 0.6 percent to $23.8 million from $23.6 million in the third quarter of 2008. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company incurred net losses and LAE of approximately $2.9 million related to tropical storm Fay. While there was an absence of incurred net losses and LAE related to adverse weather events during the third quarter of 2009, the Company incurred an increase in net losses and LAE in connection with the servicing of additional policies.
The net loss ratio, which is derived from net losses and LAE as a percentage of net earned premium, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009 was 72.6 percent compared to 62.0 percent for the same period of 2008. The increase in the net loss ratio is attributable to the increase in net losses and LAE incurred, coupled with a decrease in net earned premium in the 2009 quarter as compared to the 2008 quarter.
Net premiums earned decreased 14.0 percent in the third quarter of 2009 as compared to the same quarter last year, and the average premium per policy decreased significantly because of the wind mitigation credits and premium rate decreases. At September 30, 2009, UPCIC was servicing approximately 536,000 homeowners' and dwelling fire insurance policies with in-force premiums of approximately $563.0 million, or an average of $1,050 per policy, while the amount of policies UPCIC was servicing at September 30, 2008 was approximately 451,000 with in-force premiums of approximately $519.3 million, or an average of $1,151. Consequently, as a result of increased net losses and LAE in connection with the servicing of additional policies, the net loss and LAE ratio increased significantly for the 2009 period. Additionally, total reinsurance costs were higher for the 2009 period as compared to the 2008 period, which reduced net earned premium.
Third-quarter 2009 general and administrative expenses increased 57.8 percent to $18.7 million from $11.8 million in the 2008 third quarter. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to several factors including lower ceding commissions, increased salaries for existing employees and higher employee count due to business growth. On a year-over-year basis, during the 2009 third quarter ceding commissions decreased as a result of the quota share reinsurance commission rate reduction to 25 percent for the 2009 to 2010 contract year from 31 percent for the 2008 to 2009 contract year. Deferred policy acquisition costs were also affected by this reduction. As mentioned above, UPCIC's recent premium rate increases are anticipated to mitigate increased operating expenses as they begin to flow through UPCIC's book of business.
At September 30, 2009, stockholders' equity increased to $126.9 million from $118.7 million at June 30, 2009, representing growth of 6.9 percent. As of September 30, 2009, UPCIC's statutory capital and surplus was $102.7 million versus $103.1 million at June 30, 2009.
Year-End Cash Dividend
On November 3, 2009, Universal's board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share payable on December 4, 2009 to shareholders of record as of November 16, 2009. The board of directors' decision to declare the dividend reflected the Company's positive results through the third quarter of 2009 and management's assessment of the Company's business and corporate needs.
Investment Portfolio Update
As of September 30, 2009, the Company's investments in equity securities and fixed maturities totaled $89.4 million, as compared to $208.6 million at June 30, 2009. The reduction of investments in fixed maturities and equity securities within the investment portfolio during the third quarter of 2009 relates to the sale of certain of these securities, which contributed to an increased cash position at September 30, 2009, as compared to June 30, 2009. At September 30, 2009, approximately 79.2 percent of the investments were in equity securities considered available for sale and 20.8 percent were in fixed maturities available for sale. As of September 30, 2009, the Company's investment portfolio contained $7.6 million of pre-tax unrealized gains.
The equity security positions continue to be comprised of holdings in natural resources sectors including metals, energy, and agriculture. At this time, the Company does not participate in swaps, options, futures or forward contracts to hedge or enhance the investment portfolio; however, in the future the Company may use swaps, options, futures or forward contracts to hedge unrealized gains.
About Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (UIH) is a vertically integrated insurance holding company, which through its various subsidiaries, covers substantially all aspects of insurance underwriting, distribution, claims processing and exposure management. Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of UIH, is one of the five leading writers of homeowners' insurance in Florida and is now fully licensed and has commenced its operations in Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina and South Carolina. Additionally, the Company has filed an application to the Texas Department of Insurance to form a separate property and casualty subsidiary to write homeowners' insurance coverage in Texas. For additional information on the Company, please visit our investor relations Web site at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com
Readers should refer generally to reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), specifically the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009, for a discussion of the risk factors that could affect its operations. Such factors include, without limitation, exposure to catastrophic losses; reliance on the Company's reinsurance program; underwriting performance on catastrophe and non-catastrophe risks; the ability to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; competition and its effect on pricing, spending and third-party relationships; the Company's financial stability rating; product pricing and revenues; and the effect of Federal or state laws and regulations. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this press release based on new information or otherwise.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," and "project," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Such statements may include, but not be limited to, projections of revenues, income or loss, expenses, plans, 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 in forward-looking statements.
