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  • American Equity Reports First Quarter 2015 Results

    May 5, 2015 by Business Wire

    WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Apr 29, 2015 (BUSINESS WIRE) — American Equity Investment Life Holding Company AEL, -2.17% a leading issuer of fixed index annuities, today reported first quarter 2015 net income of $5.9 million, or $0.07 per diluted common share, compared to a first quarter 2014 net loss of $9.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted common share.

    Non-GAAP operating income1 for the first quarter of 2015 was $48.8 million, or $0.62 per diluted common share, compared to first quarter 2014 non-GAAP operating income1 of $37.5 million, or $0.47 per diluted common share.

    Highlights for the first quarter of 2015 include:

    • Annuity sales (before coinsurance) were up 43% to $1.32 billion compared to first quarter 2014 annuity sales of $921 million.
    • Investment spread was 2.77% compared to 2.92% for the fourth quarter of 2014 and 2.77% for the first quarter of 2014.
    • Estimated risk-based capital (RBC) ratio of 361% at March 31, 2015 compared to 372% at December 31, 2014 remained above A. M. Best’s rating threshold.
    • Book value per share (excluding accumulated other comprehensive income) was $18.63 at March 31, 2015 compared to $18.52 at December 31, 2014.

    1 In addition to net income (loss), we have consistently utilized operating income and operating income per common share – assuming dilution, non-GAAP financial measures commonly used in the life insurance industry, as economic measures to evaluate our financial performance. See accompanying tables for reconciliations of net income (loss) to operating income and descriptions of reconciling items. See Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a more complete discussion of the reconciling items and their impact on net income for the periods presented. Because these items fluctuate from period to period in a manner unrelated to core operations, we believe measures excluding their impact are useful in analyzing operating trends. We believe the combined presentation and evaluation of operating income together with net income (loss), provides information that may enhance an investor’s understanding of our underlying results and profitability.

    Commenting on first quarter results, founder and Executive Chairman David J. Noble said: “2015 is off to an excellent start and we’re positioned for another solid year of financial performance with the potential for much higher sales than last year. Our products continue to deliver attractive safe money returns and value to Americans preparing for or enjoying their retirement.”

    PRODUCTION UP 43% ON MORE FAVORABLE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT

    First quarter sales of $1.3 billion were up 43% from the prior year first quarter and contributed to a 3.1% increase in policyholder liabilities under management. These sales included $122 million from Eagle Life which surpassed Eagle Life’s full year sales in 2014. The competitive dynamic in the fixed index annuity marketplace changed significantly in early March with the withdrawal of a competitor’s product that offered one of the highest levels of guaranteed income in the marketplace for the past several years. This product has been the source of significant competition for sales and was the second best selling fixed index annuity product in the fourth quarter of 2014. New business activity began to escalate in February when a reduction in new money rates that was effective in early March was announced. The pending count entering March 2015 was at 3,800 cases and grew to 4,300 cases at the end of the first quarter and 5,000 cases as of today. The peak count in April was 5,200 cases.

    Commenting on the competitive environment and the outlook for sales, John Matovina, Chief Executive Officer and President, said: “Annual sales the past three years have ranged from $3.9 billion to $4.2 billion as we remained disciplined in our product terms and pricing and were unwilling to pursue market share at the expense of profitability. Based upon current indications, our patience and discipline the past three years are being rewarded with higher sales in 2015 and the competitive environment is favorable to us. While competition can surface at any time, we are not presently aware of any new competitive threats.”

    SPREAD NARROWS ON REDUCTION IN BOND FEE INCOME

    American Equity’s investment spread narrowed to 2.77% for the first quarter of 2015 compared to 2.92% for the fourth quarter of 2014 as a result of a decrease in average yield on invested assets which was 0.15% larger than the decrease in the cost of money. The investment spread for the first quarter of 2015 was unchanged from the investment spread for the first quarter of 2014.

    Average yield on invested assets declined by 21 basis points to 4.74% for the first quarter of 2015 from 4.95% for the fourth quarter of 2014. More than half of this decrease was attributable to fee income from bond transactions which together with certain prepayment income added 0.13% to the fourth quarter 2014 average yield on invested assets compared to 0.01% from such items in the first quarter of 2015.

    Adjusting for the effect of these non-trendable items, the average yield on invested assets for the quarter fell by 9 basis points from the prior quarter as new premiums and portfolio cash flows were invested at rates below the portfolio rate. The average yield on fixed income securities purchased and commercial mortgage loans funded in the first quarter of 2015 was 3.84%, compared to average yields ranging from 4.14% – 4.27% in the prior year quarters.

    The aggregate cost of money for annuity liabilities declined by 6 basis points to 1.97% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to 2.03% in the fourth quarter of 2014. This decrease reflected continued reductions in crediting rates. The benefit from over hedging the obligations for index linked interest was 0.07% in the first quarter of 2015 and 0.05% in the fourth quarter of 2014.

    Commenting on investment spread, John Matovina, said: “Low interest rates remain a headwind to our spread management and the benefit we received in the quarter from reductions in liability rates was offset by lower rates on invested assets purchased or funded. Investment yields in 2015 have been lower than those available in 2014 and achieving a 4.00% average yield on new investments is not possible without taking on risk that is beyond our comfort level. However, we continue to be proactive in managing our cost of money. We reduced our new money rates by approximately 0.20% in early March and continue to actively manage renewal rates. Most of the renewal rate reductions that were initiated in 2014 have been implemented as of the end of the first quarter of 2015 and we are making additional reductions in 2015. We continue to have flexibility in managing our cost of money and could achieve approximately a 0.55% decrease in our cost of money from further reductions in renewal rates to guaranteed minimums should the investment yields currently available to us persist.”

    CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments, and are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Statements such as “guidance”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “goal”, “objective”, “target”, “may”, “should”, “estimate”, “projects” or similar words as well as specific projections of future results qualify as forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward looking statements can be found in the company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made and the company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by the company will not materially and adversely affect our results of operations. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

    CONFERENCE CALL

    American Equity will hold a conference call to discuss first quarter 2015 earnings on Thursday, April 30, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. CST. The conference call will be webcast live on the Internet. Investors and interested parties who wish to listen to the call on the Internet may do so at www.american-equity.com.

    The call may also be accessed by telephone at 844-224-4250, passcode 22864981 (international callers, please dial 704-859-4382). An audio replay will be available shortly after the call on AEL’s website. An audio replay will also be available via telephone through May 7, 2015 at 855-859-2056, passcode 22864981 (international callers will need to dial 407-537-3406).

    ABOUT AMERICAN EQUITY

    American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, through its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, issues fixed annuity and life insurance products, with a primary emphasis on the sale of fixed index and fixed rate annuities. American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, a New York Stock Exchange Listed company AEL, -2.17% is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa. For more information, please visit www.american-equity.com.

     
    Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
     
          Three Months Ended
          March 31,
          2015     2014
          (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    Revenues:            
    Premiums and other considerations     $ 6,997       $ 7,331  
    Annuity product charges       28,682         25,272  
    Net investment income       399,669         370,005  
    Change in fair value of derivatives       (31,100 )       48,493  
    Net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses       4,879         (714 )
    OTTI losses on investments:            
    Total OTTI losses       (132 )        
    Portion of OTTI losses recognized from other comprehensive income               (905 )
    Net OTTI losses recognized in operations       (132 )       (905 )
    Loss on extinguishment of debt               (3,977 )
    Total revenues       408,995         445,505  
                 
    Benefits and expenses:            
    Insurance policy benefits and change in future policy benefits       9,220         10,095  
    Interest sensitive and index product benefits       282,825         317,192  
    Amortization of deferred sales inducements       10,953         666  
    Change in fair value of embedded derivatives       51,213         92,619  
    Interest expense on notes payable       7,339         10,264  
    Interest expense on subordinated debentures       3,016         3,008  
    Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs       14,286         7,194  
    Other operating costs and expenses       21,122         19,085  
    Total benefits and expenses       399,974         460,123  
    Income (loss) before income taxes       9,021         (14,618 )
    Income tax expense (benefit)       3,118         (4,865 )
    Net income (loss)     $ 5,903       $ (9,753 )
                 
    Earnings (loss) per common share     $ 0.08       $ (0.13 )
    Earnings (loss) per common share – assuming dilution     $ 0.07       $ (0.13 )
                 
    Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands):            
    Earnings (loss) per common share       77,042         72,519  
    Earnings (loss) per common share – assuming dilution       79,118         79,616  
                         

    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

    In addition to net income (loss), we have consistently utilized operating income and operating income per common share – assuming dilution, non-GAAP financial measures commonly used in the life insurance industry, as economic measures to evaluate our financial performance. Operating income equals net income (loss) adjusted to eliminate the impact of net realized gains and losses on investments including net OTTI losses recognized in operations, fair value changes in derivatives and embedded derivatives, loss on extinguishment of debt and changes in litigation reserves. Because these items fluctuate from quarter to quarter in a manner unrelated to core operations, we believe measures excluding their impact are useful in analyzing operating trends. We believe the combined presentation and evaluation of operating income together with net income (loss) provides information that may enhance an investor’s understanding of our underlying results and profitability.

     
    Reconciliation from Net Income (Loss) to Operating Income (Unaudited)
     
          Three Months Ended
          March 31,
          2015     2014
          (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    Net income (loss)     $ 5,903       $ (9,753 )
    Adjustments to arrive at operating income: (a)            
    Net realized investment (gains) losses, including OTTI       (1,819 )       564  
    Change in fair value of derivatives and embedded derivatives – index annuities       43,657         43,708  
    Change in fair value of derivatives and embedded derivatives – debt       1,077         1,509  
    Litigation reserve               (916 )
    Extinguishment of debt               2,394  
    Operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure)     $ 48,818       $ 37,506  
                 
    Per common share – assuming dilution:            
    Net income (loss)     $ 0.07       $ (0.13 )
    Adjustments to arrive at operating income:            
    Anti-dilutive effect of net loss               0.01  
    Net realized investment (gains) losses, including OTTI       (0.02 )        
    Change in fair value of derivatives and embedded derivatives – index annuities       0.55         0.55  
    Change in fair value of derivatives and embedded derivatives – debt       0.02         0.02  
    Litigation reserve               (0.01 )
    Extinguishment of debt               0.03  
    Operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure)     $ 0.62       $ 0.47  
                         
    (a) Adjustments to net income (loss) to arrive at operating income are presented net of income taxes and where applicable, are net of related adjustments to amortization of deferred sales inducements (DSI) and deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC).
     

    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

    Average Stockholders’ Equity and Return on Average Equity (Unaudited)

    Return on equity measures how efficiently we generate profits from the resources provided by our net assets. Return on equity is calculated by dividing net income and operating income for the trailing twelve months by average equity excluding average accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”).

           
          Twelve Months Ended
          March 31, 2015
          (Dollars in thousands)
    Average Stockholders’ Equity 1      
    Average equity including average AOCI     $ 1,990,835  
    Average AOCI       (613,087 )
    Average equity excluding average AOCI     $ 1,377,748  
           
    Net income     $ 141,679  
    Operating income       201,958  
           
    Return on Average Equity Excluding Average AOCI      
    Net income       10.28 %
    Operating income       14.66 %
     
    1 – simple average based on stockholders’ equity at beginning and end of the twelve month period.
     

    SOURCE: American Equity Investment Life Holding Company

    American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
    John M. Matovina, 515-457-1813
    Chief Executive Officer
    jmatovina@american-equity.com
    or
    Ted M. Johnson, 515-457-1980
    Chief Financial Officer
    tjohnson@american-equity.com
    or
    Debra J. Richardson, 515-273-3551
    Chief Administrative Officer
    drichardson@american-equity.com
    or
    Julie L. LaFollette, 515-273-3602
    Director of Investor Relations
    jlafollette@american-equity.com

    Copyright Business Wire 2015

    Originally Posted at MarketWatch on April 29, 2015 by Business Wire.

    Categories: Industry Articles
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