Mercury General Corporation Announces Second Quarter Results

PRNewswire
LOS ANGELES
Jul 30, 2001

Mercury General Corporation (NYSE: MCY), a major California automobile insurer with operations in a number of other states, reported today that net operating earnings for the second quarter of 2001 were $26.5 million, or $0.49 per share (diluted), compared with net operating earnings for the second quarter of 2000 of $25.6 million, or $0.47 per share (diluted). Net operating earnings for the first six months of 2001 were $48.4 million, or $0.89 per share (diluted) compared with $54.5 million, or $1.01 per share (diluted) in 2000. Including realized capital gains and losses, per share net income (diluted) was $0.49 and $0.94 for the second quarter and first six months of 2001 compared to $0.48 and $1.03 for the second quarter and first six months of 2000, respectively.

Company-wide premiums written in the quarter were $350.7 million, a 12.0% increase over 2000 and premiums written for the first six months were $694.0 million, a 9.2% increase over 2000. California premiums written in the quarter and first six months were $307.6 million and $611.1 million, respectively, a 10.5% and 8.4% increase over the respective periods in 2000. The primary contributors to growth in the second quarter were increased policy sales in the California automobile insurance lines as well as increased production in California homeowners, Florida automobile insurance and Texas automobile insurance lines.

The loss ratio (GAAP basis) was 72.0% in the quarter and 73.1% in the first six months of 2001 compared to 71.8% and 71.0% for the respective periods in 2000.

The expense ratio (GAAP basis) was 26.5% in the quarter and 26.7% in the first six months of 2001 compared to 27.2% and 27.1% for the respective periods in 2000.

Investment income in the quarter was $27.9 million and for the first six months $56.0 million, a 6.7% and 8.3% increase, respectively. After taxes, per share (diluted) investment income in the quarter was $0.45 and for the first six months was $0.90 compared with $0.43 and $0.86 for the respective periods in 2000. The after tax yield on average investments of $1.79 billion (fixed maturities and equities at cost) was 5.43% for the quarter compared with 5.56% obtained for the year ended 2000.

On July 27, 2001, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.265 per share to be paid on September 27, 2001 to holders of record on September 14, 2001. The Company's book value per share at June 30, 2001 was $19.53 per share.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by the Company. Actual results may differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the Company) and are subject to change based upon various factors, including but not limited to the following risks and uncertainties: changes in the demand for the Company's insurance products, and in general economic conditions; the possibility actual loss experience may vary adversely from the actuarial estimates made to determine the Company's loss reserves; legislation adverse to the automobile insurance industry or business generally may be enacted in California or other states; the presence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing and marketing efforts; and various legal, regulatory and litigation risks. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a more detailed discussion of some of the foregoing risks and uncertainties, see the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                         MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION

                      SUMMARY OF OPERATING RESULTS (000)

                                                   Quarter Ended June 30,

                                                    2001          2000
  Net Premiums Written                            $350,745       $313,301
  Net Premiums Earned                              338,171        312,187
  Paid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses         227,156        210,596
  Incurred Losses                                  243,421        224,259
  Net Investment Income                             27,941         26,187
  Net Operating Income (A)                          26,524         25,562
  Capital Gains (Losses), net of tax                   (59)           440
  Net Income                                       $26,465        $26,002


  Basic Average Shares Outstanding              54,167,143     54,062,288

  Diluted Average Shares Outstanding            54,353,257     54,205,423

  Basic Per Share Data
  Earnings Per Share                                 $0.49          $0.48

  Diluted Per Share Data
  Net Operating Income                               $0.49          $0.47
  Capital Gains (Losses), net of tax                ($0.00)         $0.01
  Earnings Per Share                                 $0.49          $0.48


  Operating Ratios--GAAP Basis (B)
  Loss Ratio                                          72.0%          71.8%
  Expense Ratio                                       26.5%          27.2%
  Combined Ratio                                      98.5%          99.0%


                                                Six months Ended June 30,

                                                    2001           2000
  Net Premiums Written                            $693,957       $635,595
  Net Premiums Earned                              661,943        616,842
  Paid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses         471,224        424,959
  Incurred Losses                                  483,638        437,903
  Net Investment Income                             55,960         51,671
  Net Operating Income (A)                          48,383         54,537
  Capital Gains, net of tax                          2,790          1,403
  Net Income                                       $51,173        $55,940


  Basic Average Shares Outstanding              54,160,716     54,111,360

  Diluted Average Shares Outstanding            54,352,126     54,234,333

  Basic Per Share Data
  Earnings Per Share                                 $0.94          $1.03

  Diluted Per Share Data ©
  Net Operating Income                               $0.89          $1.01
  Capital Gains, net of tax                          $0.05          $0.03
  Earnings Per Share                                 $0.94          $1.03


  Operating Ratios--GAAP Basis (B) ©
  Loss Ratio                                          73.1%          71.0%
  Expense Ratio                                       26.7%          27.1%
  Combined Ratio                                      99.7%          98.1%


  (A) Net Income, excluding capital gains, net of tax.
  (B) Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
  © Some numbers may not sum due to rounding

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SOURCE: Mercury General Corporation

Contact: Gabriel Tirador, CFO of Mercury General Corporation,
+1-323-937-1060

Website: http://www.mercuryinsurance.com/

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