Mercury General Corporation Announces Third Quarter Results

PRNewswire-FirstCall
LOS ANGELES
Oct 28, 2002

Mercury General Corporation (NYSE: MCY), a major California automobile insurer with operations in a number of other states, reported today that net income was $18.5 million, or $0.34 per share (diluted), for the third quarter 2002 compared with $32.1 million, or $0.59 per share (diluted), in the same period for 2001. Net operating earnings for the third quarter of 2002 were $18.5 million, or $0.34 per share, compared with $30.2 million, or $0.56 per share, in 2001. Net operating earnings are defined as net income excluding net realized investment gains and losses. For the first nine months of 2002, net income and net operating earnings were $48.8 million ($0.89 per share), and $80.4 million ($1.47 per share), respectively, which compares to net income and net operating earnings in the same period for 2001 of $83.2 million ($1.53 per share) and $78.6 million ($1.45 per share), respectively.

Company-wide premiums written were $491.6 million in the third quarter, a 31.5% increase over 2001, and $1,360.4 million for the nine-month period, a 27.4% increase over 2001. California premiums written were $418.4 million in the third quarter, a 28.5% increase over 2001, and $1,159.1 million for the nine-month period, a 23.7% increase over 2001. The increased premiums were driven by both policy count growth and higher average premiums.

The loss ratio (GAAP basis) was 76.6% in the third quarter and 73.3% in the first nine months of 2002 compared to 71.3% and 72.5% for the respective periods in 2001. The increase in the loss ratio is primarily due to loss development on prior period reserves caused by loss cost inflation in excess of previous expectations. Loss frequency trends remained flat to slightly favorable for the majority of the Company's lines of business. The Company monitors inflation trends closely for ratemaking purposes.

The expense ratio (GAAP basis) was 25.6% in the third quarter and 26.0% in the first nine months of 2002 compared to 26.2% and 26.5% in the respective periods in 2001. The expense ratio is down slightly due to a reduction of some profitability related expense accruals.

Investment income was $27.8 million for the quarter and $86.4 million for the nine-month period, a 4.2% decrease and 1.6% increase compared to the respective periods in 2001. After taxes, per share (diluted) investment income was $0.46 in the quarter and $1.39 for the nine months, compared with $0.46 and $1.35 for the respective periods in 2001. The after-tax yield was 4.81% on average investments of $2.07 billion (fixed maturities and equities at cost) for the quarter. This compares to 5.38% in the third quarter of 2001.

During the third quarter of 2002, the Company recorded realized gains on investments of less than $0.1 million, net of tax. Included in the realized gains are $2.3 million, net of taxes, of asset write-downs for investments that were considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

On October 25, 2002, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share. The dividend is to be paid on December 26, 2002 to shareholders of record on December 13, 2002. The Company's book value per share at September 30, 2002 was $20.13 compared to $19.90 at June 30, 2002 and $19.72 at December 31, 2001.

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 accuracy and adequacy of the Company's pricing methodologies; market risks associated with the Company's investment portfolio; uncertainties related to estimates, assumptions and projections generally; the possibility actual loss experience may vary adversely from the actuarial estimates made to determine the Company's loss reserves; inflation and changes in economic conditions; the Company's ability to obtain and the timing of regulatory approval for requested rate changes; legislation adverse to the automobile insurance industry or business generally that may be enacted in California or other states; the presence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing; changes in driving patterns and loss trends; acts of war and terrorist activities; court decisions and trends in litigation and health care and auto repair costs 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 September 30,
                                                    2002           2001

  Net Premiums Written                            $491,602       $373,718
  Net Premiums Earned                              455,467        351,896
  Paid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses         288,762        234,778
  Incurred Losses                                  349,046        250,939
  Net Investment Income                             27,821         29,043
  Net Operating Income (a)                          18,478         30,245
  Capital Gains, net of tax                             42          1,810
  Net Income                                       $18,520        $32,055

  Basic Average Shares Outstanding              54,336,105     54,182,065

  Diluted Average Shares Outstanding            54,520,093     54,385,345

  Basic Per Share Data
  Earnings Per Share                                 $0.34          $0.59

  Diluted Per Share Data
  Net Operating Income                               $0.34          $0.56
  Capital Gains, net of tax                          $0.00          $0.03
  Earnings Per Share                                 $0.34          $0.59

  Operating Ratios -- GAAP Basis (b)
  Loss Ratio                                         76.6%          71.3%
  Expense Ratio                                      25.6%          26.2%
  Combined Ratio                                    102.2%          97.5%


                                           Nine Months Ended September 30,
                                                    2002            2001

  Net Premiums Written                          $1,360,449     $1,067,675
  Net Premiums Earned                            1,260,250      1,013,839
  Paid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses         819,945        706,002
  Incurred Losses                                  923,715        734,577
  Net Investment Income                             86,351         85,003
  Net Operating Income (a)                          80,380         78,628
  Capital Gains (Losses), net of tax              (31,605)          4,600
  Net Income                                       $48,775        $83,228

  Basic Average Shares Outstanding              54,302,559     54,167,910

  Diluted Average Shares Outstanding            54,506,001     54,363,277

  Basic Per Share Data
  Earnings Per Share                                 $0.90          $1.54

  Diluted Per Share Data
  Net Operating Income                               $1.47          $1.45
  Capital Gains (Losses), net of tax               ($0.58)          $0.08
  Earnings Per Share                                 $0.89          $1.53

  Operating Ratios -- GAAP Basis (b)
  Loss Ratio                                         73.3%          72.5%
  Expense Ratio                                      26.0%          26.5%
  Combined Ratio                                     99.3%          99.0%

 (a) Net Income, excluding capital gains (losses), net of tax.
 (b) Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

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SOURCE: Mercury General Corporation

CONTACT: Theodore Stalick, VP/CFO of Mercury General Corporation,
+1-323-937-1060

Web site: http://www.mercuryinsurance.com/