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Reinsurance Group (RGA) Q1 Earnings Miss Estimates, Grow Y/Y

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Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2017 operating income of $1.86 per share. The bottom line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.11 by 11.8% but improved 0.5% from the year-ago quarter.

 

The company’s Traditional business in the EMEA and Asia was strong in the quarter. Also, the U.S. and Canadian Traditional segments witnessed high seasonal individual mortality claims. The first-quarter results displayed the company’s earnings diversification, driven by the successful development of the global operating model over a considerable period of time. Moreover, the quarter experience substantial premium growth due to robust organic growth across most regions, particularly Asia and EMEA.

Reinsurance Group's operating revenues of $3 billion climbed 19.7% year over year.

Net premiums of $2.4 billion rose 9.7% year over year.

Investment income jumped 23.3% from the prior-year quarter to $514.4 million. The average investment yield was down by 5 basis points (bps) to 4.41%.

Total benefits and expenses of Reinsurance Group increased 16.5% year over year to $2.8 billion. Higher claims and other policy benefits, interest credited, policy acquisition costs and other insurance expenses, interest expenses, other operating expenses as well as collateral finance and securitization expenses resulted in the overall increase in costs.

Quarterly Segment Update

Reinsurance Group changed the name of its Non-Traditional segment to Financial Solutions in the fourth quarter of 2016.

U.S. and Latin America: Total pre-tax income skyrocketed 268.9% to $133.5 million in the quarter.

The Traditional segment reported pre-tax operating income of $28 million, down 47.4% year over year. The downside was attributable to poor claims experience due to an increase in the number of large claims. Net premiums grew 6% from the year-ago quarter to $1.3 billion.

The Financial Solutions segment’s pre-tax operating income improved 13.9% to $51.6 million. Favorable interest rate spreads and positive impact of the higher equity markets drove the upside. Financial Reinsurance business reported pre-tax operating income of $17.8 million compared with $15.9 million in the prior-year quarter.

Canada: Total pre-tax operating income rose 10.8% to $22.9 million.

The Traditional segment’s pre-tax operating income declined 13.4% to $16.8 million. Net premiums inched up 0.1% to $215.8 million. The decline can be mainly attributable to large claims owing to slightly worse-than-expected mortality experience.

The Financial Solutions segment’s pre-tax income skyrocketed 506.8% year over year to about $4 million on favorable longevity experience.

Asia Pacific: Total pre-tax operating income declined 15.1% to $41.2 million during the quarter.

The Traditional segment reported pre-tax operating income of $41.7 million, up 1.5% year over year. Premiums jumped 29.2% to $483.3 million on strong growth from new treaties across most of the region.

The Financial Solutions segment’s pre-tax operating losses of $0.5 million compared unfavorably with pre-tax operating income of $7.4 million of the year-ago quarter.

Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA): This region reported pre-tax operating income of $41.4 million, up 69.2% year over year.

The Traditional segment reported pre-tax operating income of about $14 million, which compared favorably with the year-ago loss of $1.1 million. The improvement was mainly due to solid overall mortality experience across the region. Premiums improved 10% to $304.7 million, mainly owing to the impact of new treaties.

The Financial Solutions segment’s pre-tax operating income grew 7.4% to $27.5 million on the back of favorable experience in longevity businesses.

Corporate and Other: Pre-tax operating loss of $26.6 million, narrower than the year-ago loss of $30.3 million.

Financial Update

As of Mar 31, 2017, Reinsurance Group had assets worth $53.8 billion, up 3.1% from year-end 2016.

As of Mar 31, 2017, Reinsurance Group’s book value per share, excluding Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI), grew 12.6% year over year to $94.72.

Dividend Update

The board of directors announced a quarterly dividend of 41 cents, which is payable on May 30, to the shareholders on record as of May 9, 2017.

Zacks Rank

Currently, Reinsurance Group holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Insurers

Among other players from the insurance industry that have reported their first-quarter earnings so far, the bottom line at The Progressive Corporation (PGR - Free Report) , The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) and RLI Corp. (RLI - Free Report) missed their respective Zacks Consensus Estimate.

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