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AXIS Capital's (AXS) Q1 Earnings Beat, Revenues Rise Y/Y

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AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (AXS - Free Report) posted first-quarter 2021 operating income of 97 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 49.2%. The bottom line rebounded from the year-ago loss of $1.94 per share.

The company’s results reflect higher gross premiums written as well as increase in net investment income and lower expenses.

Quarterly Operational Update

Operating revenues of about $1.2 billion increased 4.1% year over year. Gross premiums written improved 4% year over year to about $1.3 billion, largely driven by a 17% increase in the Insurance segment, which was partially offset by 4% decrease in the Reinsurance segment.

Net investment income increased 22.6% year over year to $114 million, primarily driven by higher returns from other investments.

Total expenses in the quarter under review decreased 12.1% year over year to $1.1 billion, attributable to lower net losses and loss expenses, acquisition costs, interest expense and financing costs plus amortization of intangible assets, reorganization expenses and amortization of value of business acquired.

Pre-tax catastrophe and weather-related losses, net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums, were $110 million primarily attributable to Winter Storms Uri and Viola, principally related to the state of Texas, and other weather-related events. This compares favorably with the year-ago loss of $300 million.

AXIS Capital’s underwriting income of $40.2 million rebounded from prior-year quarter’s loss of $196.8 million. Combined ratio improved 2090 basis points (bps) to 98.9

Segment Results

Insurance: Gross premiums written improved 17.3% year over year to $1.1 billion  primarily attributable to increases in professional lines, property, marine and liability lines driven by new business and favorable rate changes.

Net premiums earned increased 9.6% year over year to $616.3 million.

Underwriting income of $38.8 million rebounded from the year-ago loss of $122.6 million. Combined ratio improved 2810 bps to 93.8.

Reinsurance: Gross premiums written decreased 3.9% year over year to $1.4 billion, primarily attributable to decreases in motor, engineering and catastrophe lines due to non-renewals and decreased line sizes associated with repositioning of the portfolio, partially offset by selective increases in liability lines driven by favorable market conditions.

Net premiums earned declined 7.4% year over year to $487.4 million.

Underwriting income of $1.4 million rebounded from year-ago quarter’s loss of $74.1 million. Combined ratio improved 1210 bps year over year to 100.2

Financial Update

AXIS Capital exited the first quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1.7 billion, up 3.8% over the level at 2020 end.

Debts were $1.3 billion at quarter end, up 0.02% from 2020-end level.

Book value per share increased 7% year over year to $53.03 as of Mar 31, 2021.

Operating return on equity was 9.9% in the first quarter.

Dividend Update

The company announced a dividend of 42 cents per share in the reported quarter.

Zacks Rank

AXIS Capital currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Insurers

Of the insurance industry players that have reported first-quarter results so far, The Travelers Companies (TRV - Free Report) , W.R. Berkley Corporation (WRB - Free Report) and RLI Corporation’s (RLI - Free Report) earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

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