<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10Q
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 1996 Commission File No. 0-3681
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California 95-221-1612
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
4484 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90010
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(213) 937-1060
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No_____
-----
At May 13, 1996, the Registrant had issued and outstanding an aggregate of
27,475,675 shares of its Common Stock.
<PAGE>
PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
AMOUNTS EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS
A S S E T S
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, December 31,
1996 1995
---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Investments:
Fixed maturities available for sale (amortized cost
$764,585 in 1996 and $742,409 in 1995)................ $ 780,693 $ 779,783
Equity securities available for sale (cost $119,481
in 1996 and $113,478 in 1995)......................... 117,686 114,915
Short-term cash investments, at cost, which approxi-
mates market.......................................... 41,318 28,496
---------- ----------
Total investments................................ 939,697 923,194
Cash...................................................... 4,062 2,872
Receivables:
Premiums receivable.................................... 63,097 58,902
Premium notes.......................................... 11,519 11,728
Accrued investment income.............................. 14,781 15,870
Other.................................................. 5,302 6,108
---------- ----------
94,699 92,608
Deferred policy acquisition costs......................... 35,455 33,809
Fixed assets, net......................................... 28,184 27,464
Other assets.............................................. 1,309 1,709
---------- ----------
$1,103,406 $1,081,656
========== ==========
</TABLE>
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Losses and loss adjustment expenses........................ $ 261,804 $ 253,546
Unearned premiums.......................................... 178,550 168,404
Notes payable.............................................. 25,000 25,000
Loss drafts payable........................................ 22,464 20,071
Accounts payable and accrued expenses...................... 27,782 25,412
Current income taxes....................................... 5,650 388
Deferred income taxes...................................... 1,179 10,158
Other liabilities.......................................... 15,527 13,489
---------- ----------
Total liabilities................................. 537,956 516,468
---------- ----------
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock without par value or stated value.
Authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
27,466,475 shares in 1996 and 27,442,675 shares in
1995.................................................. 41,405 40,895
Net unrealized investment gains......................... 9,303 25,227
Unearned ESOP compensation.............................. (2,750) (3,084)
Retained earnings....................................... 517,492 502,150
---------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity........................ 565,450 565,188
---------- ----------
Commitments and contingencies...........................
$1,103,406 $1,081,656
========== ==========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
AMOUNTS EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Earned premiums 169,563 144,676
Net investment income 16,437 14,880
Premium finance fees 446 456
Net realized investment gains 203 602
Other 351 325
-------- --------
Total revenues 187,000 160,939
-------- --------
Expenses:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses 117,418 102,617
Policy acquisition costs 35,833 30,119
Other operating expenses 5,858 5,237
Interest 471 517
-------- --------
Total expenses 159,580 138,490
-------- --------
Income before income taxes 27,420 22,449
Income taxes 5,510 3,949
-------- --------
Net income $ 21,910 $ 18,500
======== ========
EARNINGS PER SHARE (average shares outstanding
27,359,034 in 1996 and 27,291,744 in 1995) $.80 $.68
======== ========
Dividends declared per share $.24 $.20
======== ========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31
AMOUNTS EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 21,910 $ 18,500
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided from operating activities:
Increase in unpaid losses and loss
adjustment expenses 8,258 1,075
Increase in unearned premiums 10,146 8,548
Decrease in premium notes receivable 209 27
Increase in premiums receivable (4,195) (4,474)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs (1,646) (1,777)
Increase in loss drafts payable 2,393 2,463
Increase in accrued income taxes, excluding deferred
tax on change in unrealized gain 4,857 3,928
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses 2,370 1,524
Depreciation 881 622
Net realized investment gains (203) (602)
Bond amortization (accretion), net (165) 137
Other, net 4,705 (1,234)
--------- --------
Net cash provided from operating activities 49,520 28,737
Cash flows from investing activities:
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Purchases (58,288) (50,130)
Sales 9,132 20,058
Calls or maturities 27,526 14,894
Equity securities available for sale:
Purchases (104,735) (63,780)
Sales 98,554 54,715
Decrease (increase) in short-term cash
investments, net (12,822) 3,483
Purchase of fixed assets (1,638) (1,204)
Sale of fixed assets 37 324
--------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities $ (42,234) $(21,640)
</TABLE>
(Continued)
<PAGE>
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
-------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid to shareholders $(6,568) $(5,483)
Proceeds from stock options exercised 472 61
------- -------
Net cash used in financing activities (6,096) (5,422)
------- -------
Net increase in cash 1,190 1,675
Cash:
Beginning of the year 2,872 3,344
------- -------
End of the year $ 4,062 $ 5,019
======= =======
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid during the period $ 533 $ 512
Income taxes paid during the period $ 550 $ 20
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTE TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The financial data included herein have been prepared by the Company,
without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments of a normal
recurring nature necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position at
March 31, 1996 and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods
presented have been made.
This interim information should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and notes thereto included in the Company's latest annual report on
Form 10-K.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations
---------------------
Results of Operations
- - ---------------------
Premiums earned in the first quarter of 1996 increased 17.2% from the
corresponding period in 1995. The increase reflects new business, aided by a
print advertising program instituted in December 1995, and a continuing renewal
rate approximating 93%.
The loss ratio in the first quarter (loss and loss adjustment expenses
related to premiums earned) was 69.2%, compared with 70.9% in 1995. The higher
loss ratio in 1995 reflects in large part an increase in weather-related claims
associated with heavy rainfall and severe flooding in California.
The expense ratio (policy acquisition costs and other expenses related to
premiums earned) was 24.6%, virtually unchanged from 24.5% in 1995.
The combined ratio of losses and expenses (GAAP basis) was 93.8%, compared
with 95.4% in 1995, resulting in an underwriting gain for the period of $10.5
million, compared with $6.7 million a year ago.
Investment income in the quarter was $16.4 million, compared with $14.9
million in the 1995 first quarter. The after-tax yield on average investments
of $910.3 million (fixed maturities at cost, equities at market) was 6.52%,
compared with 6.93% on average investments of $781.7 million in the 1995 first
quarter. The decrease in realized investment yields reflects the redemption of
bonds acquired in earlier, higher interest rate environments, larger balances in
lower yielding money market investments and a lower effective yield from
equities. New investments in bonds and equities combined are currently being
made at after-tax yields ranging from approximately 6.25% - 6.50%.
Realized investment gains were $203,000 in the 1996 first quarter, compared
with realized gains of $602,000 in 1995. The gains in both years were in part
the result of income enhancing swaps of preferred stocks and the redemption of
higher coupon bonds at a premium.
6
<PAGE>
The income tax provision in the first quarter of $5.5 million represented
an effective tax rate of 20.1%, compared with an effective rate of 17.6% in the
1995 first quarter.
Net income in the quarter of $21.9 million, or $.80 per share, compares
with $18.5 million, or $.68 per share, in 1995. Per share results are based on
27.4 million average shares in 1996 and 27.3 million shares in 1995.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
- - -------------------------------
Net cash provided from operating activities during the first quarter of
1996 was $49.5 million, while funds derived from the sale, call or maturity of
investments was $135.2 million, of which approximately 73% was represented by
the sale of equities. Fixed-maturity investments, at amortized cost, were
increased by $22.2 million during the period. Equity investments, including
perpetual preferred stocks, were increased by $6.0 million at cost, and short-
term cash investments were increased by $12.8 million. The amortized cost of
fixed-maturities available for sale which were sold or called during the period
was $32.5 million.
The market value of all investments (fixed-maturities and equities) held at
market as "Available for Sale" exceeded amortized cost of $884.1 million at
March 31, 1996 by $14.3 million. That unrealized gain, reflected in
shareholders' equity net of applicable tax effects, was $9.3 million at March
31, 1996 compared with an unrealized gain of $25.2 million at December 31, 1995.
The decrease in market values since December 31, 1995 reflects principally the
increase in interest rates which occurred during the period.
The Company's cash and short term investments totaled $45.4 million at
March 31, 1996. Together with funds generated internally, such liquid assets
are more than adequate to pay claims without the forced sale of investments.
It has been the Company's policy not to invest in high yield or "junk"
bonds. As the result of downgrades subsequent to purchase, approximately 2.3%
of total bond holdings at March 31, 1996 were rated below investment grade. The
average rating of the $677.5 million bond portfolio (at amortized cost) was A,
while the average effective maturity, giving effect to anticipated early call,
approximates 8.3 years. The modified duration of the bond portfolio
approximates 7.0 years. Holdings are heavily weighted with relatively high
coupon issues which are expected to be called prior to their maturity. Bond
holdings are broadly diversified geographically, and, within the tax-exempt
sector, consist largely of high coupon revenue issues, including housing bonds
subject to sinking funds and special par calls, and other issues, many of which
have been pre-refunded and escrowed with U.S. Treasuries. General obligation
bonds of the large eastern cities have generally been avoided. The Company
holds no direct obligations of Orange County, California, which has filed for
protection under the bankruptcy laws. The Company does, however, hold $8.8
million principal amount of bonds issued by entities within Orange County, some
of which may be affected by losses arising from participation in the Orange
County investment pool. Exclusive of those bonds that have been either insured
or pre-refunded with U.S. Treasuries, the Company's total holdings of issues
affected by investments in the Orange County pool approximates $7.5 million
based on market
7
<PAGE>
value at March 31, 1996. The Company has reviewed those holdings and believes
that it will incur no losses as a result of the Orange County bankruptcy filing.
Holdings in the taxable sector consist principally of senior public utility
issues. Fixed-maturity investments of $764.6 million (at cost) include $87.0
million of sinking fund preferreds, principally utility issues.
Except for Company-occupied buildings, the Company has no direct
investments in real estate and no holdings of mortgages secured by commercial
real estate.
Equity holdings of $117.7 million at market (cost $119.5 million),
including perpetual preferred issues, are largely confined to the public utility
and banking sectors and represent about 20.8% of total shareholders' equity.
As of March 31, 1996, the Company had no commitments for capital
expenditures.
Industry and regulatory guidelines suggest that the ratio of a property and
casualty insurer's annual net premiums written to statutory policyholders'
surplus should not exceed 3.0 to 1. Based on the combined surplus of all of the
licensed insurance subsidiaries of $488.3 million at March 31, 1996 and net
written premiums for the twelve months ended on that date of $663.1 million, the
ratio of writings to surplus was approximately 1.4 to 1.
8
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
By: George Joseph
------------------------------------------
George Joseph
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
By: Keith L. Parker
------------------------------------------
Keith L. Parker
Chief Financial Officer
9
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 780,693
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 117,686
<MORTGAGE> 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 939,697
<CASH> 4,062
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 35,455
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,103,406
<POLICY-LOSSES> 261,804
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 178,550
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 25,000
0
0
<COMMON> 41,405
<OTHER-SE> 524,045
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,103,406
169,563
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 16,437
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> 203
<OTHER-INCOME> 351
<BENEFITS> 117,418
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 35,833
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 5,858
<INCOME-PRETAX> 27,420
<INCOME-TAX> 5,510
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 21,910
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 21,910
<EPS-PRIMARY> .80
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
<RESERVE-OPEN> 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
</TABLE>
