Allstate's April CAT Loss Falls YoY

Home and auto insurer, Allstate Corp. ( ALL - Analyst Report ) announced its pre-tax catastrophe (CAT) loss estimates for April 2012 yesterday, which is expected to be about $280 million. Besides, the company’s CAT loss includes the effect of about 10 natural disasters.

Although Allstate’s April CAT loss estimates are higher than that recorded in the whole of first quarter of 2012, it is still meek figure when compared with $1.4 billion worth of CAT loss recorded in April last year. CAT losses stood at $259 million in the first quarter of 2012, plunging 22.2% from $333 million in the year-ago quarter.

Since last year Allstate has started disclosing its quarterly and monthly CAT loss estimates if the amount exceeded $150 million in any month. Allstate decided to do so in order to generate greater transparency. On Wednesday, another peer – Progressive Corp. ( PGR - Analyst Report ) – reported a decline in CAT losses for April 2012 to $46 million from $55 million in April last year.

Earlier this month, Aon Benfield, through its latest Global Catastrophe Recap report, projected CAT losses of over $1.0 billion in April 2012 for the US insurance industry. The losses are mostly due to the widespread tornado, hail and wind that smashed life and property in central and southern parts of the US.

CAT Loss’ Effect on Earnings

Severe weather-related adverse events have become a growing concern for insurers and reinsurers in recent years. The weather-pattern changes have resulted in regular occurrence of floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, hailstorms, tsunami etc.

Moreover, CAT losses have not only been increasing the claims payments of the insurers, but it also has been nibbling into the earnings of the companies, thereby distorting the operational dynamics for quite some time post the weather-related events.

Several insurers including Allstate, Hartford Financial Services Inc. ( HIG - Analyst Report ) , PartnerRe Ltd. ( PRE - Analyst Report ) and The Travelers Companies ( TRV - Analyst Report ) , among others, saw most or all of their earnings being swabbed away after incurring significant CAT losses.

Allstate itself witnessed its CAT loss jump by about 73% over 2010 to $3.82 billion in 2011, while total combined ratio weakened to 103.4% in 2011 from 98.1% in 2010. Consequently, the company’s operating net income plunged to $689 million or $1.32 per share against $1.54 billion or $2.84 per share in 2010.

However, Allstate reported operating earnings per share of $1.42 in the first-quarter of 2012, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.12 and the year-ago quarter’s earnings of 93 cents. Operating income spiked up 43.7% to $710 million from $494 million in the year-ago quarter.

Results for the quarter reflected lower catastrophe losses, which further led to reduced claims expenses coupled with higher premiums. Besides, expansion in the underlying margin for Allstate brand homeowners and other personal lines along with higher investment income and realized capital gains benefited results. These were offset by higher operating expenses. However, prudent capital management and liquidity were quite impressive during the reported quarter.

Despite the CAT losses, the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects Allstate’s second quarter earnings to shoot up 175% year over year to 93 cents per share. With respect to the estimate revisions, 14 of 22 firms have revised their estimates upward in the last 30 days, while a couple of downward revisions were witnessed, thereby justifying the underlying strength of the stock.

Neutral on the long term

Nevertheless, by and large, we believe the tough market situation looks likely to return after years of sharp decline in prices, as the disasters caused by severe weather-related events this year are pushing prices higher in the insurance industry.

Overall, Allstate should be stable in the long run based on its agency expansion plan, ratings affirmation, product restructuring and acquisitions. However, the new share repurchase comes with higher debt costs as Allstate funds it by issuing debt. Overall, though continued synergies are expected from Allstate’s industry-leading position, diversification and pricing discipline, we believe that the current volatile economy will continue to impact its premiums and income until the markets regain momentum. Consequently, we maintain a Neutral stance in the long-term with a Zacks Rank #3, which implies a short-term Hold rating.