View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2015/02/05/356610.htm
PartnerRe Ltd. reported net income of $262.7 million, or $5.26 per share for the fourth quarter of 2014. This includes net after-tax realized and unrealized gains on investments of $82.1 million, or $1.64 per share. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $257.6 million, or $4.76 per share, including net after-tax realized and unrealized gains on investments of $91.8 million, or $1.70 per share.
The company reported operating earnings of $218.3 million, or $4.37 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2014. This compares to operating earnings of $157.4 million, or $2.91 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2013.
Net income for the full year 2014 was $998.2 million, or $19.51 per share. This includes net after-tax realized and unrealized gains on investments of $286.3 million, or $5.60 per share. Net income for the full year 2013 was $597.0 million, or $10.58 per share, including net after-tax realized and unrealized losses on investments of $127.2 million, or $2.25 per share. Operating earnings for the full year 2014 were $755.4 million, or $14.76 per share. Operating earnings of $14.76 per share represents a record annual high for PartnerRe. This compares to operating earnings of $721.7 million, or $12.79 per share, for the full year 2013.
Operating earnings or loss excludes certain net after-tax realized and unrealized investment gains and losses, net after-tax foreign exchange gains and losses, certain net after-tax interest in results of equity method investments, the loss on redemption of preferred shares and certain net after-tax withholding tax on inter-company dividends (included in other expenses), and is calculated after the payment of preferred dividends. All references to per share amounts in the text of this press release are on a fully diluted basis.
Commenting on the results, PartnerRe Interim Chief Executive Officer David Zwiener said, “We had an excellent year in 2014, posting an operating return on equity of 13.5 percent, above our long-term average. While financial markets remained somewhat volatile during the year, we realized sizeable gains in our investment portfolio, which when combined with the strong operating results, culminated in us delivering dividend-adjusted tangible book value growth in excess of 19 percent. These results are particularly gratifying given the very difficult reinsurance operating environment.”
Mr. Zwiener added, “As you know, last week we announced a deal with AXIS Capital to combine the two companies as a reinsurance and specialty insurance market leader. We are very excited about this transaction. While both PartnerRe and AXIS are strong, well-positioned, successful companies in their own right, the combination of the two only enhances those strengths and accelerates our strategies. Together, we will have greater scale, with a more efficient global network, even stronger underwriting teams, an expanded underwriting platform, and a greater ability to deliver the best service to our clients, while creating long-term value for our shareholders.”
Source: PartnerRe Ltd.