SeaBright Holdings, Inc.
(
SBX
) reported first quarter 2012 net income of 38 cents per share, in
sharp contrast to an operating loss of 1 cent per share in the
prior-year quarter. The reversal was primarily attributable to net
realized gains of $8.0 million in the reported quarter compared
with a meager $0.3 million gain in the comparable year-ago
quarter.
Total revenue increased 14.9% year over year to $73.3 million,
led by higher premium earned and significantly higher net realized
gains.
Net premiums earned increased 4.2% year over year to $59.1
million.
Net investment income was $5.0 million, down 7.4% year over
year, due to low yield on investment portfolio.
The net loss ratio for the first quarter of 2012 was 72.9%
compared with 75.7% in the year-ago period.
Total underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses for the
first quarter 2012 were $16.9 million, down 11.1% year over year.
The net underwriting expense ratio for the first quarter of 2012
was 28.6%, down 490 basis points year over year.
Net combined ratio, measuring underwriting profitability, was
101.5%, up 770 basis points year over year. However, a
combined ratio above 100% reflects that the insurer is paying more
in claims and expenses per unit than premium earned.
The company also announced a quarterly dividend of 5 cents per
share, payable on July 13, 2012.
SeaBright has suffered due to the economic slowdown in the U.S.
and the overall challenging business climate in the recent years.
Management is, however, responding to the current trends by
actively managing its business. It is reducing its exposure to
business and areas, which are no longer viable. This includes its
California construction business. On the other hand, the company is
increasing its exposure to other targeted businesses such as health
care and manufacturing and expanding geographically in
states, which are under penetrated.
The company is also increasing its distribution network with
brokers and licensed program managers specializing in the company's
product offerings. Apart from these, the company is focusing on the
development of scalable technology and increasing
profitability.
Though these actions will eventually facilitate earnings growth,
we do not expect any material changes in the near term until the
economy recovers from the slump.
SeaBright currently retains a Zacks # 2 Rank, which translates
into a short-term 'Buy' rating. However, we are maintaining our
long-term "Underperform" recommendation on the shares. It competes
with
AMERISAFE, Inc.
(
AMSF
),
Employers Holdings Inc.
(
EIG
) and
Aflac Inc
. (
AFL
).
AFLAC INC (AFL): Free Stock Analysis Report
AMERISAFE INC (AMSF): Free Stock Analysis
Report
EMPLOYERS HLDGS (EIG): Free Stock Analysis
Report
SEABRIGHT INSUR (SBX): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment
Research