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View Full Version : Alleghany Corporation Reports 2003 Second Quarter Results


Ct Healthmarket via BizWire
08-06-2003, 09:00 AM
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 6, 2003--Net earnings of Alleghany
Corporation (NYSE: Y) in the second quarter of 2003 were $6.0 million,
or approximately $0.81 per share of common stock, compared with net
earnings of $8.9 million, or approximately $1.19 per share of common
stock, in the second quarter of 2002, John J. Burns, Jr., President
and chief executive officer of Alleghany, announced today. Net
earnings include net gains on investment transactions after taxes in
the second quarter of 2003 of $1.0 million, or $0.14 per share,
compared with $2.8 million, or $0.38 per share, in the corresponding
2002 period. In the first six months of 2003, Alleghany's net earnings
were $13.7 million, or approximately $1.85 per share, compared with
net earnings of $34.7 million, or $4.64 per share, in the first six
months of 2002. The 2003 six-month results include net gains on
investment transactions after taxes of $3.1 million, or approximately
$0.42 per share, compared with $25.3 million, or approximately $3.39
per share, in the corresponding 2002 period.
Alleghany common stockholders' equity per share at June 30, 2003
was $193.07 per share, an increase from common stockholders' equity
per share of $185.85 as of March 31, 2003 (both as adjusted for the
stock dividend declared in March 2003).
Alleghany Insurance Holdings, a holding company for Alleghany's
insurance operations, consisting principally of Capitol Transamerica
Corporation, recorded pre-tax earnings of $2.7 million on revenues of
$38.3 million in the second quarter of 2003, compared with a pre-tax
loss of $2.1 million on revenues of $33.2 million in the 2002 second
quarter. Alleghany Insurance Holdings recorded pre-tax investment
income of $4.8 million and realized pre-tax net losses on investment
transactions of $0.03 million in the 2003 second quarter, compared
with pre-tax investment income of $3.6 million and realized pre-tax
net losses on investment transactions of $1.0 million in the
corresponding 2002 period. Alleghany Insurance Holdings' 2003 pre-tax
investment income reflects a larger invested asset base, principally
due to capital contributions by Alleghany. On July 1, 2003, Alleghany
Insurance Holdings completed the acquisition of Royal Specialty
Underwriting, Inc., as discussed below.
World Minerals recorded pre-tax earnings of $6.5 million in the
2003 second quarter, compared with pre-tax earnings of $7.7 million in
the 2002 second quarter, primarily reflecting lower margins due to
competitive pricing pressures and increased labor and benefit costs.
Revenues in the 2003 second quarter were $69.0 million, compared with
$66.9 million in the second quarter of 2002, reflecting the favorable
impact of the strengthening of the Euro and the pound sterling against
the U.S. dollar.
Heads & Threads recorded a pre-tax loss of $1.8 million in the
2003 second quarter, compared with pre-tax earnings of $0.6 million in
the corresponding 2002 period, primarily reflecting a $1.1 million
charge in connection with changes in senior management and the
relocation of Heads & Threads' corporate offices from New Jersey to
Chicago, competitive pricing pressures and higher material costs due
to increases in the cost of steel from China. Revenues in the 2003
second quarter were $27.3 million, compared with $29.0 million in the
2002 second quarter, primarily reflecting reduced demand in the U.S.
economy.
Highlights are as follows (in millions, except for shares and per
share amounts):



Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2003 2002 2003 2002
--------------------------------------------

Revenues $144.4 $141.8 $283.0 $299.8
Earnings before income
taxes $ 8.7 $ 13.4 $ 20.3 $ 52.7
Net earnings $ 6.0 $ 8.9 $ 13.7 $ 34.7
Basic earnings per
share of common stock * $ 0.81 $ 1.19 $ 1.85 $ 4.64
Diluted earnings per
share of common stock* $ 0.80 $ 1.09 $ 1.84 $ 4.53
Average number of
outstanding shares of
common stock* 7,433,436 7,479,050 7,423,296 7,484,571

* Adjusted to reflect the dividend of common stock declared in March
2003.



The comparative contributions to earnings before taxes made by
Alleghany's operating units Alleghany Insurance Holdings (insurance
businesses), World Minerals (industrial minerals business) and Heads &
Threads (industrial fasteners business), as well as by Alleghany's
parent company and other operations, were as follows (in millions):



Three Months Six Months
Ended Ended
June 30 June 30
------------ -------------
2003 2002 2003 2002

Alleghany Insurance Holdings $2.7 $(2.1) $7.6 $(0.9)
World Minerals 6.5 7.7 11.4 10.7
Heads & Threads (1.8) 0.5 (1.7) 1.1
Parent company and other 1.3 7.3 3.0 41.8
----- ------ ------ ------
$8.7 $13.4 $20.3 $52.7
===== ====== ====== ======


On a per-share, after-tax basis, the foregoing earnings
contributions may be broken down as follows:




Three Months Ended June 30


World Heads & Parent
AIHL Minerals Threads co. Total
and
2003 other
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (loss)* $0.36 $0.46 $(0.15) $ -- $0.67
Net gain on investment
transactions -- -- -- 0.14 0.14
-----------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) per share $0.36 $0.46 $(0.15) $0.14 $0.81
=========================================
2002
-----------------------------

Operating income (loss)* $(0.03) $0.58 $ 0.05 $0.21 $0.81
Net (loss) gain on investment
transactions (0.09) -- -- 0.47 0.38
-----------------------------------------
Net (loss) earnings per share $(0.12) $ 0.58 $ 0.05 $0.68 $1.19
=========================================






Six Months Ended June 30


World Heads & Parent
AIHL Minerals Threads co. and Total
2003 other
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (loss)* $0.82 $0.77 $(0.14) $(0.02) $1.43
Net gain on investment
transactions 0.08 -- -- 0.34 0.42
-----------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) per share $0.90 $0.77 $(0.14) $0.32 $1.85
=========================================
2002
-----------------------------

Operating income (loss)* $0.33 $0.74 $ 0.09 $0.09 $1.25
Net (loss) gain on investment
transactions (0.23) -- -- 3.62 3.39
-----------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) per share $ 0.10 $ 0.74 $ 0.09 $3.71 $4.64
=========================================

* Operating income represents net earnings per share less the net gain
or loss on investment transactions taxed at the federal income tax
rate.




As of June 30, 2003 Alleghany beneficially owned approximately
16.0 million shares, or 4.3 percent, of the outstanding common stock
of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, which had an aggregate
market value on that date of approximately $455.0 million, or $28.44
per share, compared with a market value on March 31, 2003 of $398.4
million, or $24.90 per share. The aggregate cost of such shares is
approximately $181.8 million, or $11.36 per share.
Alleghany has previously announced that it may purchase shares of
its common stock in open market transactions from time to time. In the
second quarter of 2003, Alleghany did not purchase any shares of its
common stock. As of June 30, 2003, Alleghany had 7,458,192 shares of
common stock outstanding (which includes the stock dividend declared
in March 2003).
As previously announced, on July 1, 2003, Alleghany Insurance
Holdings completed the acquisition of Royal Specialty Underwriting,
Inc. ("RSUI") from Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group for
approximately $115.0 million. In addition to RSUI, Alleghany Insurance
Holdings acquired renewal rights to the ongoing business underwritten
by RSUI for insurance affiliates of Royal & Sun Alliance and the
related net unearned premium reserve portfolio of approximately $320.0
million. The transaction excluded loss reserves associated with
business previously underwritten by RSUI for insurance affiliates of
Royal & Sun Alliance.
RSUI underwrites specialty insurance coverages through wholesale
brokers and producers. Premiums related to RSUI underwritten business
are approximately evenly split between the admitted and non-admitted
insurance markets, with approximately 68.0% of total premiums written
for specialty property coverages. Insurance policies underwritten by
RSUI for insurance affiliates of Royal & Sun Alliance accounted for
gross written premiums of $1,205.0 million and net written premiums of
$515.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 and gross written
premiums of $359.8 million and net written premiums of $162.0 million
for the first quarter of 2003.
To support future business to be underwritten by RSUI, Alleghany
Insurance Holdings acquired Underwriters Reinsurance Company ("URC"),
an insurance company admitted in 50 states and capitalized it at
approximately $500.0 million. In connection with the acquisition, the
seller contractually retained all of the liabilities of URC that
existed at the time of the sale. The name of URC will be changed to
RSUI Indemnity Company and the name of RSUI will be changed to
Resurgens Specialty Underwriting, Inc. A.M. Best Co. has assigned a
financial strength rating of A (Excellent) to URC.
URC expects to acquire Landmark American Insurance Company
("Landmark"), a surplus lines insurance company, from Royal & Sun
Alliance during the third quarter to write non-admitted or surplus
business underwritten by RSUI. Pending satisfaction of regulatory rate
and form filings by URC and the acquisition of Landmark, RSUI is
continuing to underwrite on policies issued by insurance affiliates of
Royal & Sun Alliance. All such policies are fully reinsured by URC.

This press release contains forward-looking statements with
respect to the anticipated effects of the RSUI transaction. Actual
results of the transaction could be significantly different. Factors
that could affect results include those set forth in filings made by
the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although
forward-looking statements help to provide complete information about
future prospects, readers should keep in mind that forward-looking
statements are much less reliable than historical information.




ALLEGHANY CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share and share amounts)





JUNE DECEMBER
30, 31,
2003 2002
----------- -----------
ASSETS
Available for sale securities:
Equity securities $ 707,066 $ 486,353
Debt securities 392,935 580,606
Short-term investments 201,487 237,698
----------- -----------
1,301,488 1,304,657

Cash 114,641 27,423
Notes receivable 92,575 92,358
Accounts receivables 101,350 85,710
Reinsurance receivables 155,157 147,479
Deferred acquisition costs 24,840 22,547
Property and equipment - at cost, less
accumulated depreciation 171,471 173,539
Inventory 90,468 81,978
Goodwill and other intangibles, net of
amortization 106,391 112,858
Other assets 105,693 85,833
----------- -----------
$2,264,074 $2,134,382
=========== ===========



LIABILITIES AND COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current taxes payable $25,987 $28,372
Losses and loss adjustment expenses 270,857 258,471
Other liabilities 144,946 147,411
Unearned premiums 84,431 64,115
Subsidiaries' debt 171,046 152,507
Net deferred tax liability 126,887 104,164
----------- -----------
Total liabilities 824,154 755,040
Common stockholders' equity 1,439,920 1,379,342
----------- -----------

$2,264,074 $2,134,382
=========== ===========


COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY PER SHARE $193.07 $186.16
=========== ===========



COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (adjusted for
dividends) 7,458,192 7,409,282
=========== ===========





ALLEGHANY CORPORATION
COMBINING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)




THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2003
---------------------------------------------
ALLEGHANY
INSURANCE WORLD HEADS & CORPORATE
HOLDINGS MINERALS THREADS ACTIVITIES COMBINED
---------------------------------------------
Revenues
Net fastener sales $0 $0 $27,292 $0 $27,292
Interest, dividend and
other income 4,833 119 0 8,159 13,111
Net insurance premiums
earned 33,525 0 0 0 33,525
Net mineral and
filtration sales 0 68,860 0 0 68,860
Net gain (loss) on
investment
transactions (39) 0 0 1,617 1,578
---------------------------------------------

Total revenues 38,319 68,979 27,292 9,776 144,366

Costs and expenses
Commissions and
brokerage expenses 9,370 0 0 0 9,370
Salaries, administrative
and other
operating expenses 6,425 9,801 8,039 1,264 25,529
Loss and loss
adjustment expenses 19,815 0 0 0 19,815
Cost of goods sold -
fasteners 0 0 20,809 0 20,809
Cost of mineral and
filtration sales 0 52,201 0 0 52,201
Interest expense 0 516 243 709 1,468
Corporate administration 0 0 0 6,483 6,483
---------------------------------------------

Total costs and
expenses 35,610 62,518 29,091 8,456 135,675
---------------------------------------------


Earnings before income
taxes $2,709 $6,461 ($1,799) $1,320 8,691
====================================

Income taxes 2,695
---------

Net earnings $5,996
=========




THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002
---------------------------------------------
ALLEGHANY
INSURANCE WORLD HEADS & CORPORATE
HOLDINGS MINERALS THREADS ACTIVITIES COMBINED
---------------------------------------------
Revenues
Net fastener sales $0 $0 $28,953 $0 $28,953
Interest, dividend and
other income 3,617 57 0 7,316 10,990
Net insurance premiums
earned 30,647 0 0 0 30,647
Net mineral and
filtration sales 0 66,829 0 0 66,829
Net gain (loss) on
investment
transactions (1,043) 0 0 5,397 4,354
---------------------------------------------

Total revenues 33,221 66,886 28,953 12,713 141,773

Costs and expenses
Commissions and
brokerage expenses 6,063 0 0 0 6,063
Salaries, administrative
and other
operating expenses 4,962 10,561 6,203 1,203 22,929
Loss and loss
adjustment expenses 24,340 0 0 0 24,340
Cost of goods sold -
fasteners 0 0 22,002 0 22,002
Cost of mineral and
filtration sales 0 48,122 0 0 48,122
Interest expense 0 467 170 986 1,623
Corporate administration 0 0 0 3,251 3,251
---------------------------------------------

Total costs and
expenses 35,365 59,150 28,375 5,440 128,330
---------------------------------------------


Earnings before income
taxes ($2,144) $7,736 $578 $7,273 13,443
====================================

Income taxes 4,547
---------

Net earnings $8,896
=========





ALLEGHANY CORPORATION
COMBINING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)




SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2003
---------------------------------------------
ALLEGHANY
INSURANCE WORLD HEADS & CORPORATE
HOLDINGS MINERALS THREADS ACTIVITIES COMBINED
---------------------------------------------
Revenues
Net fastener sales $0 $0 $55,245 $0 $55,245
Interest, dividend and
other income 9,210 219 0 15,662 25,091
Net insurance premiums
earned 66,940 0 0 0 66,940
Net mineral and
filtration sales 0 130,908 0 0 130,908
Net gain (loss) on
investment transactions 872 0 0 3,970 4,842
---------------------------------------------

Total revenues 77,022 131,127 55,245 19,632 283,026

Costs and expenses
Commissions and
brokerage expenses 16,425 0 0 0 16,425
Salaries, administrative
and other
operating expenses 13,335 18,748 14,910 2,449 49,442
Loss and loss
adjustment expenses 39,668 0 0 0 39,668
Cost of goods sold -
fasteners 0 0 41,568 0 41,568
Cost of mineral and
filtration sales 0 100,121 0 0 100,121
Interest expense 0 871 446 1,429 2,746
Corporate administration 0 0 0 12,783 12,783
---------------------------------------------

Total costs and
expenses 69,428 119,740 56,924 16,661 262,753
---------------------------------------------


Earnings before income
taxes $7,594 $11,387 ($1,679) $2,971 20,273
====================================

Income taxes 6,553
---------

Net earnings $13,720
=========




SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002
---------------------------------------------
ALLEGHANY
INSURANCE WORLD HEADS & CORPORATE
HOLDINGS MINERALS THREADS ACTIVITIES COMBINED
---------------------------------------------
Revenues
Net fastener sales $0 $0 $56,885 $0 $56,885
Interest, dividend
and other income 6,917 (483) 0 13,543 19,977
Net insurance
premiums earned 59,670 0 0 0 59,670
Net mineral and
filtration sales 0 124,292 0 0 124,292
Net gain (loss) on
investment
transactions (2,692) 0 0 41,639 38,947
---------------------------------------------

Total revenues 63,895 123,809 56,885 55,182 299,771

Costs and expenses
Commissions and
brokerage expenses 11,556 0 0 0 11,556
Salaries, administrative
and other
operating expenses 10,039 19,864 12,285 2,327 44,515
Loss and loss
adjustment expenses 43,227 0 0 0 43,227
Cost of goods sold -
fasteners 0 0 43,087 0 43,087
Cost of mineral and
filtration sales 0 92,382 0 0 92,382
Interest expense 0 898 433 1,965 3,296
Corporate administration 0 0 0 9,014 9,014
---------------------------------------------

Total costs
and expenses 64,822 113,144 55,805 13,306 247,077
---------------------------------------------


Earnings before income
taxes ($927)$10,665 $1,080 $41,876 52,694
====================================

Income taxes 17,990
---------

Net earnings $34,704
=========

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