Release Details

ST. LOUIS, Oct 24, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (NYSE:RGA), a leading global provider of life reinsurance, reported third-quarter net income of $147.4 million, or $1.98 per diluted share, compared to $128.2 million, or $1.72 per diluted share in the prior-year quarter. Operating income* totaled $151.6 million, or $2.04 per diluted share, compared to $127.7 million, or $1.72 per diluted share in the year-ago quarter.

For the first nine months of 2011, net income increased to $441.1 million, or $5.94 per diluted share, from $377.7 million, or $5.06 per diluted share, in the year-ago period. Operating income* totaled $398.4 million, or $5.37 per diluted share, compared with $342.6 million, or $4.59 per diluted share, the year before.

For the quarter, consolidated net premiums increased 8 percent to $1,776.2 million from $1,647.3 million in the prior-year period. Net of the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, net premiums were up 5 percent. The prior-year period benefited from an advance premium of $43.3 million associated with a new longevity transaction in Canada. Excluding that transaction, premiums rose 11 percent with the currency effect and 7 percent without it. Investment income decreased 7 percent to $268.2 million from $287.5 million in the year-earlier quarter, including a decline in fair value of option contracts supporting equity-indexed annuities. Excluding the effects of these option contracts, investment income was up $19.2 million, or 6 percent. Average invested assets increased approximately $1.9 billion to $17.7 billion and average yields, excluding the funds withheld assets, decreased 37 basis points to 5.29 percent quarter over quarter. The average investment yield in each of the first two quarters of 2011 was 5.35 percent. Net foreign currency fluctuations contributed $4.5 million, after taxes, to operating income, or $0.06 per diluted share.

During the third quarter, the company recognized an income tax benefit associated with previously enacted reductions in federal and provincial statutory tax rates in Canada. The impact of the decrease in rates on the deferred income tax liability was a benefit of $32.5 million, or $0.44 per diluted share.

A. Greig Woodring, president and chief executive officer, commented, "Enterprise-wide claims experience was slightly elevated, most notably in our U.S. and Europe & South Africa segments. Nonetheless, that claims volatility was within our expected range. The S&P 500 index and benchmark interest rates were down during the third quarter and, as a result, our asset intensive business earned $1 million pre-tax operating income, well below its normalized quarterly run rate of $15 million to $16 million. However, for the first nine months of 2011, that business has generally performed as expected. Consolidated premium growth was slightly below our expectations for the quarter.

"Historically low interest rates continued to put pressure on our investment yield, but our reserves and capital remain strong. Even if interest rates remain at current levels for the next five years, we project our reserves to be sufficient, and we would not expect to write down deferred acquisition costs or be required to take any actions to augment capital. Under that same scenario, our investment yield would gradually drop by an estimated 50 basis points over that five-year period, which would, in turn, reduce operating returns on equity as excess cash flows would be reinvested at lower yields. All else equal, those projected returns would decline between 15 and 20 basis points in 2012 and around 50 basis points by the end of 2016. While we have felt the pressures of sustained low interest rates and volatile equity markets and may continue to do so, our business is not overly sensitive to these risks due to our relatively low levels of asset leverage and annuity business.

"We generated an annualized operating return on equity of 14 percent this quarter, and 13 percent over the last 12 months. We continue to invest actively in business opportunities and are well-positioned to serve our clients in all major life reinsurance markets across the globe."

SEGMENT RESULTS

U.S.

The U.S. Traditional sub-segment reported pre-tax net income of $88.2 million for the quarter, down from $114.1 million last year. Pre-tax operating income decreased to $83.1 million from $101.1 million in 2010. Mortality claims were slightly higher-than-expected this quarter, reflecting normal volatility, and accounted for the majority of the decrease. Net premiums rose 4 percent to $971.2 million from $930.1 million a year ago, attributable to the ongoing pressure on cession rates.

The U.S. Asset Intensive business reported a pre-tax loss of $61.0 million compared with a pre-tax loss of $6.6 million a year ago, including changes in the fair values of various free-standing and embedded derivatives. Pre-tax operating income, which excludes the impact of those derivatives, decreased to $1.0 million from $14.0 million a year ago, primarily reflecting poor equity market performance and the related impact on equity-indexed and variable annuities. The expected level of pre-tax operating income for this business is $15 million to $16 million per quarter.

The U.S. Financial Reinsurance business performed well this quarter and added $6.4 million of pre-tax income compared with $4.3 million last year, primarily due to higher fee income from new business.

Canada

Canadian operations reported pre-tax net income of $44.4 million compared with $33.5 million in the third quarter of 2010. Pre-tax operating income increased 28 percent to $35.7 million from $28.0 million in the prior-year period, reflecting better-than-expected mortality experience.

A stronger Canadian dollar relative to the third quarter of 2010 benefited pre-tax operating income by approximately $2.6 million. Premiums decreased 10 percent to $185.8 million from $205.6 million last year, which benefited from an advance premium of $43.3 million. Excluding that advance premium, premiums rose 14 percent in the current quarter, including a favorable foreign currency effect of $10.3 million.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific reported pre-tax net income of $29.8 million compared with $28.5 million in the third quarter of 2010. Pre-tax operating income increased 15 percent to $31.4 million from $27.4 million a year ago. Favorable results in Japan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia were offset, in part, by higher-than-expected claims in Australia. Foreign currency fluctuations added $3.4 million to the current period pre-tax operating income. Premiums increased 20 percent to $328.3 million from $273.8 million in the prior year. On a local currency basis, premiums rose more than 7 percent.

Europe & South Africa

Europe & South Africa pre-tax net income decreased to $15.9 million from $17.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Pre-tax operating income decreased to $13.9 million from $15.7 million last year. Results in the segment's primary operations in the UK were in line with expectations, but adverse claims results in other markets drove the overall segment decline. Foreign currency fluctuations increased pre-tax operating income by $0.7 million. Net premiums totaled $286.1 million, up 23 percent from $233.0 million in the prior-year quarter. On a local currency basis, net premiums were up 19 percent.

Corporate and Other

The Corporate and Other segment reported pre-tax net income of $48.0 million in the third quarter versus $5.9 million in the year-ago period. Current period pre-tax net income included a $50.9 million gain associated with the repurchase of $156.8 million of collateral finance facility securities. That gain is excluded from pre-tax operating income, which totaled $8.2 million in the current quarter and $6.6 million in the third quarter of 2010.

During the quarter, the company repurchased 838,362 shares of its common stock at a weighted average price of $51.39 per share.

Deferred Acquisition Costs - New Accounting Guidance

The company expects to retrospectively apply the new accounting guidance on deferred acquisition costs, effective January 1, 2012. The adoption of the new accounting guidance is expected to result in a 6 to 9 percent decrease in book value, excluding AOCI, and a 6 to 10 percent decrease in reported operating income in prior-year periods and 2012. This accounting change does not alter the cash flows or lifetime profitability of the company's business, rather, the change accelerates the timing of non-commission oriented acquisition expense recognition compared with current guidance. The estimates of the impact are preliminary and therefore subject to change.

Dividend Declaration

The board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.18, payable November 25 to shareholders of record as of November 4.

Earnings Conference Call

A conference call to discuss third-quarter results will begin at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 25. Interested parties may access the call by dialing 877-741-4245 (domestic) or 719-325-4858 (international). The access code is 1723475. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available on the company's investor relations website at http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rgare.com&esheet=50037398&lan=en-US&anchor=www.rgare.com&index=1&md5=c26e470ed0553ae4e12175365cbd64d9. A replay of the conference call will be available at the same address for 90 days following the conference call. A telephonic replay will also be available through November 2 at 888-203-1112 (domestic) or 719-457-0820 (international), access code 1723475.

The company has posted to its website a Quarterly Financial Supplement that includes financial information for all segments as well as information on its investment portfolio. Additionally, the company posts periodic reports, press releases and other useful information on its investor relations website.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

RGA uses a non-GAAP financial measure called operating income as a basis for analyzing financial results. This measure also serves as a basis for establishing target levels and awards under RGA's management incentive programs. Management believes that operating income, on a pre-tax and after-tax basis, better measures the ongoing profitability and underlying trends of the company's continuing operations, primarily because that measure excludes the effect of net investment related gains and losses, as well as changes in the fair value of certain embedded derivatives and related deferred acquisition costs. These items can be volatile, primarily due to the credit market and interest rate environment, and are not necessarily indicative of the performance of the company's underlying businesses. Additionally, operating income excludes any net gain or loss from discontinued operations and the cumulative effect of any accounting changes, which management believes are not indicative of the company's ongoing operations. The definition of operating income can vary by company and is not considered a substitute for GAAP net income. Reconciliations to GAAP net income are provided in the following tables. Additional financial information can be found in the Quarterly Financial Supplement on RGA's Investor Relations website at http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rgare.com&esheet=50037398&lan=en-US&anchor=www.rgare.com&index=2&md5=1f30d7e227e7461a45867410f75cf7ac in the "Quarterly Results" tab and in the "Featured Report" section.

Book value per share outstanding before impact of AOCI is a non-GAAP financial measure that management believes is important in evaluating the balance sheet in order to ignore the effects of unrealized amounts primarily associated with mark-to-market adjustments on investments and foreign currency translation.

Operating return on equity is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated as operating income divided by average shareholders' equity excluding AOCI.

About RGA

Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated is among the largest global providers of life reinsurance with subsidiary companies or offices in Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Worldwide, the company has approximately $2.6 trillion of life reinsurance in force, and assets of $31.2 billion.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, statements relating to projections of the earnings, revenues, income or loss, future financial performance and growth potential of Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated and its subsidiaries (which we refer to in the following paragraphs as "we," "us" or "our"). The words "intend," "expect," "project," "estimate," "predict," "anticipate," "should," "believe," and other similar expressions also are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements.

Numerous important factors could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements including, without limitation, (1) adverse capital and credit market conditions and their impact on our liquidity, access to capital, and cost of capital, (2) the impairment of other financial institutions and its effect on our business, (3) requirements to post collateral or make payments due to declines in market value of assets subject to our collateral arrangements, (4) the fact that the determination of allowances and impairments taken on our investments is highly subjective, (5) adverse changes in mortality, morbidity, lapsation, or claims experience, (6) changes in our financial strength and credit ratings and the effect of such changes on our future results of operations and financial condition, (7) inadequate risk analysis and underwriting, (8) general economic conditions or a prolonged economic downturn affecting the demand for insurance and reinsurance in our current and planned markets, (9) the availability and cost of collateral necessary for regulatory reserves and capital, (10) market or economic conditions that adversely affect the value of our investment securities or result in the impairment of all or a portion of the value of certain of our investment securities, (11) market or economic conditions that adversely affect our ability to make timely sales of investment securities, (12) risks inherent in our risk management and investment strategy, including changes in investment portfolio yields due to interest rate or credit quality changes, (13) fluctuations in U.S. or foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, or securities and real estate markets, (14) adverse litigation or arbitration results, (15) the adequacy of reserves, resources, and accurate information relating to settlements, awards, and terminated and discontinued lines of business, (16) the stability of and actions by governments and economies in the markets in which we operate, including ongoing uncertainties regarding the amount of United States sovereign debt and the credit ratings thereof, (17) competitive factors and competitors' responses to our initiatives, (18) the success of our clients, (19) successful execution of our entry into new markets, (20) successful development and introduction of new products and distribution opportunities, (21) our ability to successfully integrate and operate reinsurance business that we acquire, (22) action by regulators who have authority over our reinsurance operations in the jurisdictions in which we operate, (23) our dependence on third parties, including those insurance companies and reinsurers to which we cede some reinsurance, third-party investment managers, and others, (24) the threat of natural disasters, catastrophes, terrorist attacks, epidemics, or pandemics anywhere in the world where we or our clients do business, (25) changes in laws, regulations, and accounting standards applicable to us, our subsidiaries, or our business, (26) the effect of our status as an insurance holding company and regulatory restrictions on our ability to pay principal and interest on our debt obligations, and (27) other risks and uncertainties described in this document and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forward-looking statements should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect our business, including those mentioned in this document and described in the periodic reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We do not undertake any obligations to update these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may change in the future. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. For a discussion of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, you are advised to review the risk factors in our 2010 Form 10-K.

SOURCE: Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated

Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated
John W. Hayden, 636-736-7000
Senior Vice President - Controller and Investor Relations