HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC
10-Q, 1997-05-06
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                        WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                               FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended      MARCH 31, 1997    .
                                 ----------------------

                                  OR

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to                
                               ------------    --------------

Commission file number     0-14697    
                       ---------------

                       HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC.                
        ------------------------------------------------------
        (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          DELAWARE                                    51-0241172    
- -------------------------------                  -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                   Identification No.)


       355 MAPLE AVENUE,  HARLEYSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA  19438-2297 
     ------------------------------------------------------------
     (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                           (215) 256-5000                    
          ---------------------------------------------------
         (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


     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 1, 1997 14,227,925 shares of common stock of
Harleysville Group Inc. were outstanding.

                                   1


<PAGE>

               HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                 INDEX

                                                         Page Number
                                                         -----------
Part I - Financial Information

  Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 1997
     and December 31, 1996                                      3

  Consolidated Statements of Income - For the 
     three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996                 4

  Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity - 
     For the three months ended March 31, 1997                  5

  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
     For the three months ended March 31, 1997
     and 1996                                                   6

  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                    7

  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results 
     of Operations and Financial Condition                      9


Part II - Other Information                                    11

                                   2


<PAGE>

               HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   (in thousands, except share data)
                              (Unaudited)

                                                 MARCH 31,     DECEMBER 31,
                                                    1997           1996    
                                                -----------    ------------
                   ASSETS
                   ------
Investments:
  Fixed maturities:
    Held to maturity, at amortized 
      cost (fair value $604,698
      and $606,770)                              $  599,565     $  587,979 
    Available for sale, at fair value
      (amortized cost $621,325 and
      $583,449)                                     623,540        598,193 
  Equity securities, at fair value
      (cost $67,772 and $55,473)                     84,001         69,932 
  Short-term investments, at cost,
    which approximates fair value                    12,317         35,175 
                                                 ----------     ---------- 
      Total investments                           1,319,423      1,291,279 

Cash                                                  3,400          2,120 
Receivables:
  Premiums                                           72,860         73,963 
  Reinsurance                                        73,721         80,163 
  Accrued investment income                          20,253         19,527 
                                                 ----------     ---------- 
      Total receivables                             166,834        173,653 

Deferred policy acquisition costs                    69,137         68,779 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums                          5,010          5,444 
Property and equipment, net                          21,904         22,157 
Deferred income taxes                                35,844         30,963 
Other assets                                         27,305         28,217 
                                                 ----------     ---------- 

      Total assets                               $1,648,857     $1,622,612 
                                                 ==========     ========== 

      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
      ------------------------------------
Liabilities:
  Unpaid losses and loss 
    settlement expenses                          $  827,056     $  796,820 
  Unearned premiums                                 279,801        281,366 
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses              51,648         60,966 
  Debt                                               97,715         97,715 
  Due to affiliate                                   19,667         15,500 
                                                 ----------     ---------- 
      Total liabilities                           1,275,887      1,252,367 
                                                 ----------     ---------- 
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $1 par value, authorized
    1,000,000 shares; none issued
  Common stock, $1 par value, authorized
    80,000,000 shares; issued and
    outstanding 14,217,978 and
    14,139,862 shares                                14,218         14,140 
  Additional paid-in capital                        122,826        121,033 
  Net unrealized investment gains,
    net of deferred income taxes                     11,988         18,982 
  Retained earnings                                 223,938        216,090 
                                                 ----------     ---------- 
      Total shareholders' equity                    372,970        370,245 
                                                 ----------     ---------- 
      Total liabilities and 
        shareholders' equity                     $1,648,857     $1,622,612 
                                                 ==========     ========== 


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                        3


<PAGE>

                    HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (Unaudited)

               FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1996
                  (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                                    1997            1996  
                                                 ---------        --------
Revenues:

  Premiums earned                                $156,381        $148,019 
  Investment income, net of
    investment expense                             20,591          19,232 
  Realized investment gains                           466           2,199 
  Other income                                      2,744           2,781 
                                                 --------        -------- 

      Total revenues                              180,182         172,231 
                                                 --------        -------- 

Losses and expenses:

  Losses and loss settlement expenses             114,783         124,225 
  Amortization of deferred policy
    acquisition costs                              39,455          37,488 
  Other underwriting expenses                      10,800           9,579 
  Interest expense                                  1,641           1,636 
  Other expenses                                      689             649 
                                                 --------        -------- 

      Total expenses                              167,368         173,577 
                                                 --------        -------- 

      Income (loss) before income taxes            12,814          (1,346)

Income taxes (benefit)                              1,982          (2,219)
                                                 --------        -------- 

      Net income                                 $ 10,832        $    873 
                                                 ========        ======== 

Weighted average number of shares
  outstanding                                  14,191,136      13,763,239 


Earnings per common share                        $    .76        $    .06 
                                                 ========        ======== 

Cash dividend per common share                   $    .21        $    .19 
                                                 ========        ======== 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                        4



<PAGE>

                    HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                   (Unaudited)

                    FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
                             (dollars in thousands)



                                                   NET    
                                                UNREALIZED
                   COMMON STOCK     ADDITIONAL  INVESTMENT
                                     PAID-IN      GAINS     RETAINED 
                 SHARES    AMOUNT    CAPITAL     (LOSSES)   EARNINGS   TOTAL   
               ----------  -------  ----------  ----------  --------  ------- 

Balance,
 December 31,
 1996          14,139,862  $14,140   $121,033   $18,982    $216,090  $370,245 

Net income                                                   10,832    10,832 

Issuance of 
 common stock      78,116       78      1,793                           1,871 

Cash dividend
 paid                                                        (2,984)   (2,984)

Change in
 unrealized
 investment
 gains
 (losses),
 net                                             (6,994)               (6,994)
               ----------  -------   --------   -------    --------  -------- 
Balance,
 March 31,
 1997          14,217,978  $14,218   $122,826   $11,988    $223,938  $372,970 
               ==========  =======   ========   =======    ========  ======== 


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                           5


<PAGE>

                     HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                    (Unaudited)

                FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1996
                                  (in thousands)

                                                   1997            1996   
                                                -----------     ----------
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net income                                      $ 10,832       $     873 
 Adjustments to reconcile net income
   to net cash provided by operating
   activities:
      Change in receivables, unearned
        premiums, prepaid reinsurance
        and due to affiliate                        8,940           1,648 
      Increase in unpaid losses and
        loss settlement expenses                    1,917          28,608 
      Deferred income taxes                        (1,115)         (6,002)
      Increase in deferred policy
        acquisition costs                            (358)         (7,730)
      Amortization and depreciation                   366             370 
      Gain on sale of investments                    (466)         (2,199)
      Other, net                                   (8,360)         (1,323)
      Cash provided from the change in the
        pooling agreement participation            29,002         117,800 
                                                 --------       --------- 
        Net cash provided by operating
          activities                               40,758         132,045 
                                                 --------       --------- 

Cash flows from investing activities:
 Fixed maturity investments:
   Purchases                                      (80,266)       (156,146)
   Sales or maturities                             31,905           4,966 
 Equity securities:
   Purchases                                      (16,560)        (23,550)
   Sales                                            3,847          16,023 
 Net sales of short-term investments               22,858          25,491 
 Purchase of property and equipment                  (149)           (290)
                                                 --------       --------- 
        Net cash used by investing
          activities                              (38,365)       (133,506)
                                                 --------       --------- 

Cash flows from financing activities:
 Issuance of common stock                           1,871           2,928 
 Dividend paid                                     (2,984)         (2,616)
                                                 --------       --------- 
        Net cash provided (used) by 
          financing activities                     (1,113)            312 
                                                 --------       --------- 

Increase (decrease) in cash                         1,280          (1,149)

 Cash at beginning of period                        2,120           3,256 
                                                 --------       --------- 

 Cash at end of period                           $  3,400       $   2,107 
                                                 ========       ========= 


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                         6



<PAGE>

               HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              (Unaudited)
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1 - Basis of Presentation

     The financial information for the interim periods included
herein is unaudited; however, such information reflects all
adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to
a fair presentation of the financial position, results of
operations, and cash flows for the interim periods.  The results of
operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of
results to be expected for the full year.

     These financial statements should be read in conjunction with
the financial statements and notes for the year ended December 31,
1996 included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K.


2 - Earnings Per Share

     Net income per common share is based on the weighted average
number of shares outstanding during each of the respective periods. 
Additional shares arising from the assumed exercise of stock
options, which are considered common stock equivalents, were not
included in the computations because they were either antidilutive
or the assumed additional dilutive effect was not material.


3 - Reinsurance

     Premiums earned are net of amounts ceded to unrelated insurers
of $6,535,000 and $9,498,000 for the three months ended March 31,
1997 and 1996, respectively.  Losses and loss settlement expenses
are net of amounts ceded to unrelated insurers of $3,700,000 and
$8,741,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.

     Effective January 1, 1997, Harleysville Group entered into a
reinsurance agreement with Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company
(Mutual) whereby Mutual reinsures accumulated catastrophe losses in
a quarter up to $15,750,000 in excess of $1,750,000 in return for
a reinsurance premium.  The agreement excludes catastrophe losses
resulting from earthquakes or hurricanes, and supplements the
existing external catastrophe reinsurance program.  Harleysville
Group ceded premiums earned and losses incurred of $612,000 and
$490,000, respectively, to Mutual for the three months ended March
31, 1997.

                                   7


<PAGE>

               HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              (Unaudited)
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                              (Continued)


     Harleysville Group cedes business to and assumes business from
Mutual under a reinsurance pooling agreement.  Because this
agreement does not relieve Harleysville Group of primary liability
as the originating insurer, there is a concentration of credit risk
arising from business ceded to Mutual.  However, the reinsurance
pooling agreement provides for the right of offset and the net
balance with Mutual is a liability at March 31, 1997 and December
31, 1996.  Mutual has an A. M. Best rating of "A" (Excellent) and,
in accordance with certain state regulatory requirements,
maintained $293.4 million (fair value) of investments in a trust
account to secure liabilities under the reinsurance pooling
agreement at March 31, 1997.


4 - Cash Flows

     There was no cash tax payment in the first quarter of 1997 and
there was a $500,000 cash tax payment in the first quarter of 1996. 
Cash interest payments of $308,000 and $304,000 were made in the
first quarter of 1997 and 1996, respectively.

                                   8


<PAGE>


               HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
                 OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

Results of Operations

     Effective January 1, 1997 Harleysville Group's pooling
agreement with Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company (Mutual) was
amended to include Lake States Insurance Company (Lake States), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Harleysville Group Inc. that writes
insurance in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.  In
addition, Harleysville Group's participation increased from 65% to
70%.

     Premiums earned increased $8.4 million during the three months
ended March 31, 1997 as compared to the three months ended March
31, 1996.  The increase is primarily due to an increase in the
automobile lines of business.  The change in pool participation did
not materially effect the premium growth.  However, the mix of
business changed as, effective January 1, 1997, 30% of Lake States'
business is ceded to and retained by Mutual and an additional 5% of
the pooled business is assumed from Mutual.

     Investment income increased $1.4 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1997 resulting from an increase in invested assets. 
Such increase was primarily provided by cash flow from operations
including a $29.0 million cash transfer received for various
insurance liabilities assumed January 1, 1997 in connection with
the change in Harleysville Group's pool participation.

     Realized investment gains were $1.7 million lower for the
three months ended March 31, 1997 compared to the same prior year
quarter primarily resulting from fewer sales of equity securities.

     Income (loss) before income taxes increased $14.2 million for
the three months ended March 31, 1997, primarily due to improved
underwriting results and higher investment income partially offset
by the lower realized gains.  Harleysville Group's statutory
combined ratio decreased to 106.4% for the three months ended March
31, 1997 from 114.1% for the three months ended March 31, 1996. 
The 1996 period was adversely affected by a blizzard and related
storms that occurred in January 1996 and resulted in losses of
$15.0 million.

     The income tax expense for each of the three month periods
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 includes the tax benefit of tax-
exempt investment income of $2.5 million and $1.8 million,
respectively.

                                   9


<PAGE>

               HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
                 OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
                              (Continued)


Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Net cash provided by operating activities for the first
quarter was $40.8 million and $132.0 million in 1997 and 1996,
respectively.  The decrease primarily reflects the effect of the
amendments to the pooling agreement with Mutual.  Cash transfers of
$29.0 million and $117.8 million were received, effective January
1, 1997 and 1996, respectively, by Harleysville Group related to
the various liabilities assumed in connection with such amendments.

     Net cash used by investing activities was $38.4 million and
$133.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.  The decrease is primarily due to the lower amount of
cash provided by operating activities.

     Net cash used by financing activities increased $1.4 million
for the three months ended March 31, 1997 primarily due a decline
in the issuance of common stock as Mutual did not reinvest its
dividend from the Company.

     Harleysville Group Inc. maintained $12.1 million of cash and
investments at the holding company level at March 31, 1997 which
are available for general corporate purposes including dividends,
debt service, capital contributions to subsidiaries and
acquisitions.  The Company has no material commitments for capital
expenditures as of March 31, 1997. 


New Accounting Standards

     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings
Per Share," was issued in February 1997 and is effective for
periods ending after December 15, 1997.  It specifies the
computation, presentation and disclosure requirements for earnings
per share (EPS).  It requires dual presentation of basic EPS and
diluted EPS on the face of the income statement.  Harleysville
Group's diluted EPS and basic EPS are not expected to be materially
different from EPS as currently calculated.

                                  10


<PAGE>

               HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings - None

ITEM 2.  Changes in Securities - None

ITEM 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities - None

ITEM 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

         The annual meeting of stockholders of Harleysville Group
         Inc. was held on April 23, 1997 (the ("Annual Meeting" or
         "Meeting"), with the following result:

         The total number of shares represented at the Annual
         Meeting in person or by proxy was 13,136,137 of the
         14,202,394 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled
         to vote at the Meeting.

         On the resolution to elect Michael L. Browne and Frank E.
         Reed as class "B" Directors to serve until the expiration
         of their respective terms and until their successors are
         duly elected, the nominees for Director received the
         number of votes set forth opposite their respective names:

                                     Number of Votes 
                                 -----------------------
                                     For        Withheld
                                 ----------     --------

         Michael L. Browne       12,709,192     426,945
         Frank E. Reed           12,709,900     426,237


         There were no abstentions or broker non-votes recorded. 
         On the basis of the above vote, Michael L. Browne and
         Frank E. Reed were elected as class "B" Directors to serve
         until the expiration of their respective terms and until
         their successors are duly elected.

         On the resolution to approve the adoption of the Amended
         and Restated Harleysville Group Inc. Equity Incentive Plan
         there were 11,178,499 votes for, 1,392,434 votes against,
         34,710 abstentions and 530,494 broker non-votes.  On the
         basis of the vote, the adoption of the Amended and
         Restated Harleysville Group Inc. Equity Incentive Plan was
         approved.

                                  11


<PAGE>

               HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
                              (Continued)

         On the resolution to approve an amendment to the
         Harleysville Group Inc. 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan,
         there were 12,132,316 votes for, 431,660 votes against,
         21,879 abstentions and 550,282 broker non-votes.  On the
         basis of the vote, the amendment to the Harleysville Group
         Inc. 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan was approved.



ITEM 5.  Other Information - None

ITEM 6.  a.  Exhibits - None
         b.  Reports on Form 8-K - None




                               SIGNATURE

         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.


                                            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC.



Date:   May 6, 1997                         /s/BRUCE J. MAGEE         
      ---------------                 --------------------------------
                                               Bruce J. Magee
                                         Senior Vice President and
                                          Chief Financial Officer
                                      (principal financial officer and
                                        principal accounting officer)


                                     12




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<CIK> 0000792013
<NAME> HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           623,540
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          599,565
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            604,698
<EQUITIES>                                      84,001
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,319,423
<CASH>                                           3,400
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               4,181
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          69,137
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,648,857
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                827,056
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            279,801
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 97,715
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        14,218
<OTHER-SE>                                     358,752
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,648,857
                                     156,381
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             20,591
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 466
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,744
<BENEFITS>                                     114,783
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     39,455
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            13,130
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,814
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,982
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,832
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,832
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 718,700
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                757,516
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
        

</TABLE>


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