IHC Independence Holding Company

Independence Holding Company (NYSE:IHC) today reported 2009 fourth-quarter and annual results. This press release contains both GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for which reconciliations can be found at the end of this release.

Financial Results

IHC reported operating income1 per share of $.14 per share, diluted, or $2,209,000, for the three months ended December 31, 2009, compared to $.07 per share, diluted, or $1,111,000, for the three months ended December 31, 2008. IHC reported operating income per share of $.48 per share, diluted, or $7,351,000, for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to $.57 per share, diluted, or $8,706,000, for the year ended December 31, 2008. 

Net loss per share from continuing operations attributable to IHC was $(.95) per share, diluted, or $(14,631,000), for the three months ended December 31, 2009 compared to $(.74) per share, diluted, or $(11,407,000), for the three months ended December 31, 2008.  Net loss per share from continuing operations attributable to IHC was $(.48) per share, diluted, or $(7,423,000), for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $(1.59) per share, diluted, or $(24,484,000), for the year ended December 31, 2008. The loss in 2009 is primarily due to an other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) on the Company's investment in American Independence Corp. As described below, we anticipate recording a gain in the first quarter of 2010 that will significantly, if not fully, offset this OTTI loss. The loss in 2008 is primarily attributable to other-than-temporary impairments on certain marketable securities.

Revenues decreased 18% to $64,129,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2009, compared to revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2008 of $78,017,000 primarily due to the OTTI charge in 2009. Revenues of $357,181,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, were flat compared to revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $353,687,000.

Significant Prospective Gain Related to Investment in American Independence Corp. (Nasdaq:AMIC) in 2010 First Quarter

At December 31, 2009, the Company recorded an OTTI loss of $16,752,000, net of $12,446,000 of taxes, on its investment in AMIC. This was based on the length of time and the magnitude of the amount by which the quoted market price of AMIC had been below IHC's carrying value. During the first quarter of 2010, IHC acquired shares of AMIC common stock which brought its total ownership to over 50% of AMIC's outstanding common stock. Accordingly, IHC will consolidate the financial results of AMIC and apply business acquisition accounting. As a result, we anticipate that the Company will record a gain in the first quarter of 2010 that will significantly, if not fully, offset the OTTI loss recorded in the fourth quarter of 2009.  IHC has engaged an independent valuation firm to fair value the identifiable assets of AMIC acquired and liabilities assumed.

Chief Executive Officer's Comments

Roy Thung, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our financial condition is very strong as we enter 2010 even though our 2009 results were adversely impacted by the OTTI loss we were required to report in the fourth quarter. As discussed above, we are confident that this loss, which we attribute to an inefficient market for AMIC shares as opposed to a reflection of AMIC's value, will be significantly offset, or fully offset, by a gain in the first quarter of 2010.    We now own more than 50% of its outstanding shares. The acquisition furthers our goal of creating efficiencies by integrating the back office operations of our MGUs and marketing companies. We will consider acquiring additional shares of AMIC stock in the market and/or in private transactions as opportunities arise."

Mr. Thung continued, "Once we report the AMIC transaction in the first quarter of 2010, we believe that our insurance companies' statutory surplus will be at an all-time high. The Company's book value per share, which increased 25% to $13.16 at December 31, 2009 from $10.56 at December 31, 2008, will significantly increase even further at March 31, 2010 due to the anticipated gain on AMIC and first quarter operating results. Our investment portfolio is rated on average AA. In addition, (i) IHC announced an expansion to its stock repurchase program, and began repurchasing shares in the first quarter of 2010; (ii) our stockholders' equity as of March 31, 2010 will be practically the same as that prior to the onset of the global financial crisis, and (iii) A.M. Best affirmed the A- (Excellent) rating of our three carriers."

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company provides non-GAAP financial measures to complement its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP: (i) Operating income is income from continuing operations net of income or losses attributable to non-controlling interests and excluding net realized gains or losses, other than temporary impairment losses and write-off of intangible asset, net of applicable income taxes, (ii) Operating income per share is operating income (loss) on a per share basis. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement the user's overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and its prospects for the future. Specifically, the Company believes the non-GAAP results provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding realized gains or losses, net of taxes, that, when excluded from the GAAP results, may provide additional understanding of the Company's core operating results or business performance. However, these non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to supersede or replace the Company's GAAP results. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP results to the GAAP results is provided in the "Reconciliation of GAAP Income from Continuing Operations to Non-GAAP Income from Continuing Operations" schedule below.

About Independence Holding Company

IHC is a holding company principally engaged in the life and health insurance business and the acquisition of blocks of policies through its insurance company subsidiaries (Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York, Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. and Independence American Insurance Company) and its managing general underwriters, third-party administrators, and marketing affiliates.  Standard Security Life markets medical stop-loss, small group major medical, short-term medical, major medical for individuals and families, limited medical, group long and short-term disability and life, dental, vision and managed health care products. Madison Life sells group life and disability, employer medical stop-loss, small group major medical, major medical for individuals and families, short-term medical, dental, vision, and individual life insurance. Independence American offers medical stop-loss, small group major medical, short-term medical, and major medical for individuals and families. IHC owns certain subsidiaries through its majority ownership of American Independence Corp. (Nasdaq:AMIC), which is a holding company principally engaged in the insurance and reinsurance business.

Certain statements in this news release may be considered forward-looking statements, such as statements relating to management's views with respect to future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the markets in which IHC operates, new federal or state governmental regulation, IHC's ability to effectively operate, integrate and leverage any past or future strategic acquisition, and other factors which can be found in IHC's other news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

1Operating income is a non-GAAP measure representing income from continuing operations net of (income) losses attributable to non-controlling interests and excluding net realized investment gains (losses), other than temporary impairment losses and write-off of intangible asset, net of applicable income tax. The Company believes that the presentation of operating income may offer a better understanding of the core operating results of the Company. A reconciliation of income from continuing operations to operating income is included in this press release.

INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

FOURTH QUARTER REPORT

December 31, 2009

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

 

December 31,

December 31,

 

2009

2008

2009

2008

REVENUES

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$69,543 

$77,018 

$294,799 

$317,288 

Net investment income

10,070 

10,356 

43,520 

44,044 

Fee income

6,960 

8,904 

31,665 

39,672 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

5,309 

(13,546)

8,789 

(12,401)

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

(29,720)

(4,991)

(29,991)

(38,247)

Equity income from AMIC

285 

(607)

1,289 

480 

Other income

1,682 

883 

7,110 

2,851 

 

64,129 

78,017 

357,181 

353,687 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

Insurance benefits, claims and reserves

53,148 

58,667 

225,234 

240,537 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

35,232 

35,810 

141,713 

144,006 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

2,168 

1,517 

5,519 

6,345 

Interest expense on debt

585 

981 

2,817 

3,776 

 

91,133 

96,975 

375,283 

394,664 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (benefits)

(27,004)

(18,958)

(18,102)

(40,977)

Income taxes (benefits)

(12,378)

(7,507)

(10,669)

(16,399)

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$(14,626)

$(11,451)

$(7,433)

$(24,578)

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

606 

(64)

301 

644 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (loss)

(14,020)

(11,515)

(7,132)

(23,934)

(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in Subsidiaries

(5)

44 

10 

94 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC 

$(14,025)

$(11,471)

$(7,122)

$(23,840)

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$(.95)

$(.74)

$(.48)

$(1.59)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

.04 

--

.02 

.04 

Basic income (loss) per common share

$(.91)

$(.74)

$(.46)

$(1.55)

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

15,424 

15,406 

15,418 

15,387 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income(loss) per common share

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$(.95)

$(.74)

$(.48)

$(1.59)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

.04 

--

.02 

.04 

Diluted income (loss) per common share

$(.91)

$(.74)

$(.46)

$(1.55)

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING

15,424 

15,406 

15,418

15,387 

 

 

 

 

 

As of March 23, 2010, there were 15,285,096 common shares outstanding, net of treasury shares.

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO 

NON-GAAP INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

 

December 31,

December 31,

 

2009

2008

2009

2008

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$(14,626)

$(11,451)

$(7,433)

$(24,578)

 

 

 

 

 

(Income) loss from non-controlling interest in Subsidiaries

(5)

44 

10 

94 

Realized (gains) losses, net of taxes

(3,414)

(807)

(5,701)

8,668 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses, net of taxes

17,084 

13,325 

17,256 

24,522 

Write-off of intangible asset, net of taxes

3,170 

-- 

3,219 

-- 

 

 

 

 

 

 Operating income from continuing operations

$2,209 

$1,111 

$7,351 

$8,706 

 

 

 

 

 

Non - GAAP basic income per common share:

 

 

 

 

Operating income from continuing operations

$.14 

$.07 

$.48 

$.57 

 

 

 

 

 

Non - GAAP diluted income per common share:

 

 

 

 

Operating income from continuing operations

$.14 

$.07 

$.48 

$.57 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in the realized gains (losses), net of taxes, above are IHC's proportionate share of AMIC's realized gains (losses) net of taxes. The other-than-temporary impairment losses are primarily due to the write down in value of AMIC in 2009 and of preferred stocks of certain financial institutions, fixed maturities (primarily Alt-A securities) and common stocks in 2008.

CONTACT: Independence Holding Company

David T. Kettig

(212) 355-4141 Ext. 3047

www.IHCGroup.com