Maiden Holdings, Ltd. Announces Fourth Quarter of 2019 and Year End Financial Results

Maiden Holdings, Ltd. (NASDAQ: MHLD) ("Maiden" or the "Company") today reported a fourth quarter of 2019 net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders of $21.5 million or $0.26 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders of $269.2 million or $3.25 per diluted common share in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Non-GAAP operating loss(5) was $3.5 million, or $0.04 per diluted common share in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with a non-GAAP operating loss of $212.4 million, or $2.56 per diluted common share in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Maiden's book value per common share(1) was $0.51 at December 31, 2019 compared to $1.08 at December 31, 2018. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted for the unamortized deferred gain on retroactive reinsurance recognized as of December 31, 2019 of $113.0 million, the adjusted book value per common share(10) was $1.87 at December 31, 2019.

Commenting on the fourth quarter of 2019 financial results, Lawrence F. Metz, Maiden’s President and Chief Executive Officer said, “The completion of Maiden Reinsurance’s re-domestication to Vermont represents a major strategic step for us as it will continue to appreciably strengthen our solvency ratios and enable us to continue to evaluate our operating strategy during 2020 while leveraging the significant assets and capital we retain. We believe that we are positioned to make further progress for our shareholders during 2020. Further, our operating results continue to improve, although the fourth quarter results were impacted by slightly higher non-recurring expenses and it remains a principal focus to lower the run rate of all expenses.”

Patrick J. Haveron, Maiden’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer added, “The fourth quarter results continue to reflect the run-off of our previously terminated AmTrust reinsurance contracts and a tempering of the adverse prior year loss development which we experienced in recent years. We believe the LPT/ADC Agreement with Enstar is having the desired effect and will continue to provide adequate limit if further adverse reserve development emerges. While our adjusted book value per share was modestly reduced by fourth quarter results, this non-GAAP measure reflects the ultimate economic value that has been created with the measures we have implemented over the last 18 months. As we look to 2020, our strategic focus will center on improving risk-adjusted shareholder returns, whether via asset and capital management or active reinsurance underwriting, or a combination of both. Our present assessment of the reinsurance marketplace along with our current operating profile is that the risk-adjusted returns produced by other strategic initiatives may create greater shareholder value versus active reinsurance underwriting.”

Re-Domestication of Maiden Reinsurance to Vermont

Effective March 16, 2020, Maiden’s principal operating subsidiary, Maiden Reinsurance Ltd. (“Maiden Reinsurance”), completed its re-domestication to the State of Vermont in the U.S. Filings had previously been made with the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation ("Vermont DFR"), the Vermont Secretary of State and with the Bermuda Monetary Authority ("BMA") to provide notice of the Company's intent to re-domicile from Bermuda. Maiden Reinsurance is now subject to the statutes and regulations of Vermont in the ordinary course of business. As previously reported, the Company determined that re-domesticating Maiden Reinsurance to Vermont enables the Company to better align its operations, capital and resources with our liabilities, which originate mostly in the U.S., resulting in a more efficient structure. The re-domestication, in combination with the transactions completed pursuant to the strategic review in 2018 and 2019, will continue to strengthen the Company’s capital position and solvency ratios. The re-domestication does not apply to the parent holding company, which remains a Bermuda-based holding company. Securities issued by the Company are not affected by the re-domestication of Maiden Reinsurance.

Consolidated Results for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2019

Net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders for the three months ended December 31, 2019 was $21.5 million compared to net loss of $269.2 million for the same period in 2018. The improvement in the net results for the three months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 was primarily due to the following:

• net loss from continuing operations of $21.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $216.7 million for the same period in 2018, largely due to the following:
  • an underwriting loss(4) of $21.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $232.3 million in the same period in 2018. The reduction in the underwriting loss was due to lower adverse prior year loss development incurred, primarily within the AmTrust Reinsurance segment, of $16.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to adverse prior year loss development of $152.8 million during the same period in 2018;
  • realized gains on investment of $2.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 compared to realized losses of $1.2 million for the same period in 2018; and
  • other general and administrative expenses decreased to $6.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 compared to $10.2 million for the same period in 2018 due to lower salary, benefits and other corporate expenses associated with the Strategic Review and related headcount reductions since late 2018.
• net loss from discontinued operations of $0.5 million compared to net loss from discontinued operations of $52.5 million for the same period in 2018; the prior year results were primarily due to the realized loss recognized on the disposal of our wholly-owned subsidiary Maiden Reinsurance North America, Inc. (“Maiden US”). The 2018 loss also included recognition of unrealized losses on investments in Maiden US of $26.6 million.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, gross premiums written were $(5.4) million, compared to $388.5 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to the termination of both quota share contracts in the AmTrust Reinsurance segment and the return of unearned premiums on certain lines covered by the partial termination amendment ("Partial Termination Amendment") with AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. ("AmTrust") effective January 1, 2019. Net premiums earned were $35.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $484.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 due to the combined impact of the terminated quota share contracts within the AmTrust Reinsurance segment, non-renewals in Maiden Reinsurance's European Capital Solutions business and a reduction in the German Auto programs produced by the Company's IIS unit within its Diversified Reinsurance segment.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, net investment income decreased to $21.5 million from $34.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The decrease in net investment income was principally due to the decline in average investable assets of 30.6%, the result of the run-off of the Company’s reinsurance portfolios and certain agreements entered into in 2019. Investment income was also adversely effected by a decline in the average yield to 2.9% from 3.3% compared to the same period in 2018. Realized gains of $2.2 million were generated for the three months ended December 31, 2019 compared to realized losses of $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, net loss and loss adjustment expenses decreased to $37.7 million from $556.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, primarily as a result of lower earned premiums within the AmTrust Reinsurance segment. Prior year adverse loss development was $16.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $152.8 million for the same period in 2018. In the fourth quarter of 2019, $8.4 million of the reported prior year adverse loss development was related to the Loss Portfolio and Adverse Development Cover Agreement (“LPT/ADC Agreement”) with Enstar Group Limited ("Enstar”).

Commission and other acquisition expenses decreased to $17.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, from $157.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 due to significantly lower earned premiums resulting from the terminations in the AmTrust Reinsurance segment. The commission and other acquisition expense in the fourth quarter of 2019 includes $1.1 million of additional ceding commission agreed under the Partial Termination Amendment.

General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2019 decreased to $9.5 million, compared to $15.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, primarily related to salaries and related benefits for headcount reductions occurring in 2019. The Company estimates that it incurred operating expenses of approximately $2.8 million during the three months ended December 31, 2019 which it believes will not recur in future periods.

Consolidated Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2019

Net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $131.9 million compared to net loss of $570.3 million for the same period in 2018. The improvement in the net results for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 was primarily due to the following:

• net loss from continuing operations of $109.4 million compared to $450.3 million for the same period in 2018 largely due to the following:
  • an underwriting loss of $183.8 million compared to $520.2 million for the same period in 2018. The reduction in the underwriting loss was principally due to the impact of:
    • lower adverse prior year loss development incurred, primarily within the AmTrust Reinsurance segment, of $112.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $403.2 million during the same period in 2018; partly offset by
    • higher initial losses incurred on current year premiums earned during the period within the AmTrust Reinsurance segment which excludes the terminated business under the Partial Termination Amendment (the "Terminated Business"); and
    • higher ceding commission payable which increased by five percentage points, or $18.7 million, for the remaining in-force business immediately prior to January 1, 2019 (excluding Terminated Business) and related unearned premium as of January 1, 2019 under the Partial Termination Amendment with AmTrust.
  • realized gains on investment of $27.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to realized losses of $1.5 million for the same period in 2018; and
  • no dividends were paid to preference shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $25.6 million for the same period in 2018. Our Board of Directors did not declare dividends on any of our preference shares during 2019.
• net loss from discontinued operations of $22.5 million compared to net loss from discontinued operations of $94.1 million for the same period in 2018 largely as a result of the Settlement and Commutation Agreement entered into between Maiden and Enstar on July 31, 2019 which caused a net additional loss of $16.7 million to be recognized. The 2018 results included the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets of $74.2 million that was recognized due to the sale of Maiden US, partly offset by the proceeds of the sale of the Renewal Rights (as defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC today) of $7.5 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, gross premiums written were $(528.6) million compared to $2.02 billion for the same period in 2018 primarily due to the termination of both quota share contracts in the AmTrust Reinsurance segment and the return of unearned premiums on certain lines covered by the Partial Termination Amendment, effective January 1, 2019. Net premiums earned were $447.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $2.03 billion for the same period in 2018 due to the combined impact of the terminated quota share contracts within the AmTrust Reinsurance segment as well as the reduction in the German Auto programs produced by the Company's IIS unit within its Diversified Reinsurance segment.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, net investment income decreased by 28.2% to $97.8 million from $136.3 million for the same period in 2018 largely due to a decline in average investable assets of 11.5% and a decrease in average yield to 2.7% from 3.3% for the same period in 2018. The decline in average investable assets was impacted by the following two agreements each dated as of July 31, 2019: (i) the payment of $445.0 million premium associated with the LPT/ADC Agreement with Enstar and (ii) the return of $312.8 million in reserves (adjusted for paid losses since January 1, 2019) related to the Commutation and Release Agreement (“Commutation and Release Agreement”) between Maiden Reinsurance and AmTrust International Insurance, Ltd. (“AII”)), both effective January 1, 2019.

Realized gains of $27.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 were primarily driven by sales of securities related to funding the LPT/ADC Agreement with Enstar and the commutation payment to AII pursuant to the Commutation and Release Agreement, partially offset by net investment losses realized on sales of securities related to the Partial Termination Amendment and the conversion of a portion of reinsurance trust assets held as collateral into funds withheld receivable.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, net loss and loss adjustment expenses decreased to $452.8 million from $1.88 billion for the same period in 2018, primarily as a result of lower earned premiums within the AmTrust Reinsurance segment. Prior year adverse loss development was $112.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $403.2 million for the same period in 2018. During 2019, $113.0 million of the reported prior year adverse loss development was related to the LPT/ADC Agreement with Enstar.

Commission and other acquisition expenses decreased to $169.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2019, from $654.7 million for the same period in 2018 due to significantly lower earned premiums resulting from the terminations of both quota share contracts in the AmTrust Reinsurance segment. The commission and other acquisition expense during the year ended December 31, 2019 includes $18.7 million of additional ceding commission agreed under the Partial Termination Amendment.

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019 decreased to $47.2 million, compared to $64.9 million for the same period in 2018, primarily related to salaries and related benefits for headcount reductions occurring in 2019. The Company estimates that it incurred operating expenses of approximately $10.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2019 which it believes will not recur in future periods.

LPT/ADC Agreement with Enstar

Pursuant to the LPT/ADC Agreement, Enstar's Bermuda subsidiary, Cavello Bay Reinsurance Ltd. ("Cavello") assumed liabilities for loss reserves as of December 31, 2018 associated with the AmTrust Quota Share (as defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC today) in excess of a $2.179 billion retention, up to $600.0 million in exchange for a retrocession premium of $445.0 million. The $2.179 billion retention is subject to adjustment for paid losses subsequent to December 31, 2018. The LPT/ADC Agreement provides Maiden Reinsurance with $155.0 million in adverse development cover over its carried AmTrust Quota Share loss reserves at December 31, 2018. The LPT/ADC Agreement meets the criteria for risk transfer and therefore has been accounted for as retroactive reinsurance.

Cumulative ceded losses exceeding $445.0 million would result in a deferred gain which will be amortized into income over the settlement period in proportion to cumulative losses collected over the estimated ultimate reinsurance recoverable. Consequently, cumulative adverse development for losses subject to the LPT/ADC Agreement subsequent to December 31, 2018 may result in significant losses from operations until periods when the deferred gain is recognized as a benefit to earnings. At December 31, 2019, the unamortized deferred gain liability recognized for retroactive reinsurance under the LPT/ADC Agreement was approximately $113.0 million.

Amortization of the deferred gain will not occur until paid losses have exceeded the minimum retention under the LPT/ADC Agreement. The current payout date for the losses covered by the LPT/ADC Agreement before the minimum retention is exceeded is expected to be during 2024.

Non-GAAP Operating Results for the Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019

Non-GAAP operating loss was $3.5 million, or $0.04 per diluted common share in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with a non-GAAP operating loss of $212.4 million, or $2.56 per diluted common share in the fourth quarter of 2018. Non-GAAP operating loss was $26.5 million, or $0.32 per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared with a non-GAAP operating loss of $466.1 million, or $5.61 per diluted common share in the same period in 2018.

In addition to other adjustments, management has adjusted the GAAP net operating loss and underwriting results by recognizing the unamortized deferred gain arising from the LPT/ADC Agreement which is fully recoverable from Cavello to show the ultimate economic benefit of the LPT/ADC Agreement to Maiden. The amount recognized as an unamortized deferred gain liability for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019 under this agreement was $8.4 million and $113.0 million, respectively.

For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019, the non-GAAP operating loss is primarily the result of underwriting results not covered by the LPT/ADC Agreement, specifically the run-off of AmTrust quota share business with losses occurring after December 31, 2018 (including the additional ceding commission paid under the Partial Termination Amendment) as well as claims related to the AmTrust Hospital Liability Quota Share. In addition, as previously noted, the Company estimates that it incurred operating expenses of approximately $2.8 million and $10.7 million during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019, which it believes will not recur in future periods.

The improvement in the non-GAAP operating losses for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018 primarily reflects the impact of unfavorable loss development for which we have ceded that risk under the LPT/ADC Agreement.

Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2019 and Other Financial Matters

The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2020. Additional information on the matters reported in this news release along with other required disclosures can be found in that filing.

Total assets were $3.6 billion at December 31, 2019, compared to $5.3 billion at December 31, 2018. Shareholders' equity was $507.7 million at December 31, 2019, compared to $554.3 million at December 31, 2018. Adjusted shareholders' equity(10) was $620.7 million at December 31, 2019, reflecting the unamortized deferred gain on retroactive reinsurance of $113.0 million.

The Company has discontinued the presentation of certain non-GAAP measures such as combined ratio and its related components in this news release, as it believes that as the run-off of its reinsurance portfolios progresses, such ratios are increasingly not meaningful and of less value to readers as they evaluate the financial results of the Company. The Company has, for the time being, continued to utilize such non-GAAP measures on an annual basis in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Quarterly Dividends

The Company's Board of Directors did not authorize any quarterly dividends related to either its common shares or any series of its preferred shares. At March 15, 2020, because preference share dividends have not been declared and paid for six quarterly dividend periods, the holders of the Preference Share Series A, Series C and Series D are collectively entitled to enforce certain rights under the provisions of those securities.

About Maiden Holdings, Ltd.

Maiden Holdings, Ltd. is a Bermuda-based holding company formed in 2007.

Special Note about Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to the Company’s business plans, objectives and expected operating results and the assumptions upon which those statements are based are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements include general statements both with respect to the Company and the insurance industry and generally are identified with the words "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "predict", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "project", "seek", "potential", "possible", "could", "might", "may", "should", "will", "would", "will be", "will continue", "will likely result" and similar expressions. In light of the risks and uncertainties inherent in all forward-looking statements, the inclusion of such statements in this press release should not be considered as a representation by the Company or any other person that the Company’s objectives or plans or other matters described in any forward-looking statement will be achieved. These statements are based on current plans, estimates, assumptions and expectations. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements and therefore, you should not place undue reliance on them. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements are set forth in Item 1A "Risk Factors" in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The Company cautions that the list of important risk factors in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 is not intended to be and is not exhaustive. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law, and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or individuals acting on the Company’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. If one or more risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the Company’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, the Company’s actual results may vary materially from what was projected. Any forward-looking statements in this press release reflect the Company’s current view with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company’s operations, results of operations, growth, strategy and liquidity. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements which speak only as of the dates of the documents in which such statements were made.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200318005779/en/