Press Release

RenaissanceRe Reports $1.6 Billion of Quarterly Net Income Available to Common Shareholders and $623.1 Million of Quarterly Operating Income Available to Common Shareholders in Q4 2023.

RenaissanceRe Reports $2.5 Billion of Annual Net Income Available to Common Shareholders and $1.8 Billion of Annual Operating Income Available to Common Shareholders in 2023.


Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights

  • Annualized return on average common equity of 83.5% and annualized operating return on average common equity of 33.0%.
  • Combined ratio of 76.0% and adjusted combined ratio of 73.6%.
  • Fee income of $70.8 million; up 133.2% from Q4 2022.
  • Net investment income of $377.0 million; up 78.5% from Q4 2022.
  • Mark-to-market gains of $585.9 million included in net income available to common shareholders.
  • Income tax benefit of $554.2 million primarily related to the enactment of the Bermuda corporate income tax.

Full Year 2023 Highlights

  • Return on average common equity of 40.5% and operating return on average common equity of 29.3%.
  • 57.9% growth in book value per share and 47.6% growth in tangible book value per share plus change in accumulated dividends.
  • Strong performance across Three Drivers of Profit; underwriting income of $1.6 billion, net investment income of $1.2 billion, and fee income of $236.8 million.
  • Combined ratio of 77.9% and adjusted combined ratio of 77.1%.
  • Raised $1.2 billion of third-party capital in the Capital Partners unit, with a further $494.8 million raised from third-party investors effective January 1, 2024.

PEMBROKE, Bermuda–(BUSINESS WIRE)–RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: RNR) (“RenaissanceRe” or the “Company”) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023.

Fourth Quarter 2023

Net Income Available to Common Shareholders per Diluted Common Share: $30.43

Operating Income Available to Common Shareholders per Diluted Common Share*: $11.77

Underwriting Income

$541.0M

Fee Income

$70.8M

Net Investment Income

$377.0M

Change in Book Value per Common Share: 23.6%

Change in Tangible Book Value per Common Share Plus Change in Accum. Dividends*: 11.6%

*

 

Operating Return on Average Common Equity, Operating Income (Loss) Available (Attributable) to Common Shareholders, Operating Income (Loss) Available (Attributable) to Common Shareholders per Diluted Common Share, Change in Tangible Book Value per Common Share Plus Change in Accumulated Dividends and Adjusted Combined Ratio are non-GAAP financial measures; see “Comments on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

Kevin J. O’Donnell, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, We finished a strong year with an exceptional quarter, reporting an annualized operating return on average common equity of 33%. We begin 2024 stronger than ever. The Validus acquisition and integration has exceeded our expectations and positions us to continue delivering exceptional shareholder value. At the January 1 renewal we were successful in retaining our combined portfolio at favorable terms. Our underwriting portfolio is now larger, more diverse, and more efficient with great rate adequacy, providing the platform for continuing strong performance across our Three Drivers of Profit.”

Consolidated Financial Results – Fourth Quarter

Consolidated Highlights

 

 

 

Three months ended

December 31,

(in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages)

 

2023

 

 

 

2022

 

Gross premiums written

$

1,802,041

 

$

1,585,276

 

Net premiums written

 

1,587,047

 

 

1,345,616

 

Underwriting income (loss)

 

540,970

 

 

316,302

 

Combined ratio

 

76.0

%

 

80.5

%

Adjusted combined ratio (1)

 

73.6

%

 

80.6

%

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

 

Available (attributable) to common shareholders

 

1,576,682

 

 

448,092

 

Available (attributable) to common shareholders per diluted common share

$

30.43

 

$

10.27

 

Operating Income (Loss) (1)

 

 

Available (attributable) to common shareholders

 

623,110

 

 

322,135

 

Available (attributable) to common shareholders per diluted common share

$

11.77

 

$

7.33

 

Book value per common share

$

165.20

 

$

104.65

 

Change in book value per share

 

23.6

%

 

10.7

%

Tangible book value per common share plus accumulated dividends (1)

$

168.39

 

$

122.15

 

 

 

 

Change in book value per common share plus change in accumulated dividends

 

23.9

%

 

11.1

%

Change in tangible book value per common share plus change in accumulated dividends (1)

 

11.6

%

 

12.0

%

Return on average common equity – annualized

 

83.5

%

 

41.2

%

Operating return on average common equity – annualized (1)

 

33.0

%

 

29.6

%

 

(1) See “Comments on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

Acquisition of Validus

On November 1, 2023, the Company completed its acquisition (the “Validus Acquisition”) of Validus Holdings, Ltd. (“Validus Holdings”), Validus Specialty, LLC (“Validus Specialty”) and the renewal rights, records and customer relationships of the assumed treaty reinsurance business of Talbot Underwriting Limited from subsidiaries of American International Group, Inc., Validus Holdings, Validus Specialty, and their respective subsidiaries collectively are referred to herein as “Validus.”

The operating activities of Validus from the acquisition date, November 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023 are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023. As such, the results of operations for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the three months and year ended December 31, 2022, should be viewed in that context. In addition, the results of operations for three months and year ended December 31, 2023 may not be reflective of the ongoing business of the combined entities. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s consolidated balance sheet reflects the combined entities.

Three Drivers of Profit: Underwriting, Fee and Investment Income – Fourth Quarter

Underwriting Results – Property Segment: Combined ratio of 43.1%; Underwriting income of $503.6 million

 

Property Segment

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

December 31,

 

Q/Q

Change

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

2023

 

 

 

2022

 

 

Gross premiums written

$

344,597

 

$

372,082

 

(7.4

)%

Net premiums written

 

357,953

 

 

372,998

 

(4.0

)%

Underwriting income (loss)

 

503,606

 

 

257,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios

 

 

 

Net claims and claim expense ratio – current accident year

 

31.2

%

 

53.8

%

(22.6) pts

Net claims and claim expense ratio – prior accident years

 

(17.2

)%

 

(18.9

)%

1.7 pts

Net claims and claim expense ratio – calendar year

 

14.0

%

 

34.9

%

(20.9) pts

Underwriting expense ratio

 

29.1

%

 

27.7

%

1.4 pts

Combined ratio

 

43.1

%

 

62.6

%

(19.5) pts

Adjusted combined ratio (1)

 

41.7

%

 

62.2

%

(20.5) pts

 

(1) See “Comments on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

  • Gross premiums written decreased by $27.5 million, or 7.4%, driven by:

– an $86.6 million decrease in other property. The decrease in other property was primarily due to the non-renewal of certain catastrophe exposed quota share programs that did not meet the Company’s return hurdles, partially offset by an increase related to Validus.

– a $59.1 million increase in catastrophe, driven by a $41.8 million increase in gross reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2023.

  • Net premiums written decreased by $15.0 million, or 4.0%, driven by the reduction of gross premiums written discussed above, partially offset by an adjustment that reduced ceded premium written in the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • Combined ratio improved by 19.5 percentage points, and adjusted combined ratio, which removes the impact of acquisition related purchase accounting adjustments, improved by 20.5 percentage points, each primarily due to a lower level of current accident year net losses.
  • Net claims and claim expense ratio – current accident year improved by 22.6 percentage points due to a lower impact from the 2023 Large Loss Events in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the impact from the weather-related large losses in the fourth quarter of 2022.
  • Net claims and claim expense ratio – prior accident years reflects net favorable development in the fourth quarter of 2023, primarily from weather-related large losses across the 2017 to 2022 accident years, driven by better than expected loss emergence.
  • Underwriting expense ratio increased 1.4 percentage points, primarily due to:

– a 2.5 percentage point increase in the operating expense ratio, due in part to higher performance based compensation expense in the fourth quarter of 2023; partially offset by

– a 1.1 percentage point decrease in the acquisition expense ratio, driven by changes in the mix of business as a result of continued relative growth in catastrophe, which has a lower acquisition expense ratio than other property, partially offset by the increase in acquisition expenses from purchase accounting adjustments relating to the Validus acquisition.

Underwriting Results – Casualty and Specialty Segment: Combined ratio of 97.3% and Adjusted combined ratio of 94.3%; Underwriting income of $37.4 million

Casualty and Specialty Segment

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

December 31,

 

Q/Q

Change

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

2023

 

 

 

2022

 

 

Gross premiums written

$

1,457,444

 

$

1,213,194

 

20.1

%

Net premiums written

 

1,229,094

 

 

972,618

 

26.4

%

Underwriting income (loss)

 

37,364

 

 

59,077

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios

 

 

 

Net claims and claim expense ratio – current accident year

 

63.0

%

 

64.9

%

(1.9) pts

Net claims and claim expense ratio – prior accident years

 

(0.3

)%

 

(2.7

)%

2.4 pts

Net claims and claim expense ratio – calendar year

 

62.7

%

 

62.2

%

0.5 pts

Underwriting expense ratio

 

34.6

%

 

31.5

%

3.1 pts

Combined ratio

 

97.3

%

 

93.7

%

3.6 pts

Adjusted combined ratio (1)

 

94.3

%

 

94.0

%

0.3 pts

 

(1) See “Comments on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

  • Gross premiums written increased by $244.3 million, or 20.1%, driven by:

– premium growth in the other specialty line of business of $189.4 million and the general casualty line of business of $175.4 million, primarily from Validus; partially offset by

– a decrease of $109.3 million in the professional liability line of business, reflecting proactive cycle management.

  • Net premiums written increased 26.4%, consistent with the drivers discussed in gross premiums written above, in addition to an overall reduction in our retrocessional purchases.
  • Combined ratio increased by 3.6 percentage points, and adjusted combined ratio, which removes the impact of acquisition related purchase accounting adjustments, increased by 0.3 percentage points.
  • Net claims and claim expense ratio – current accident year decreased by 1.9 percentage points. The current accident year net claims and claim expense ratio in the fourth quarter of 2022 was higher due to a large energy loss in the other specialty lines of business.
  • Net claims and claim expense ratio – prior accident years reflects net favorable development driven by reported losses generally coming in lower than expected on attritional net claims and claim expenses from the other specialty and credit lines of business, partially offset by the impact of acquisition related purchase accounting adjustments.
  • Underwriting expense ratio increased 3.1 percentage points, which consisted of:

– a 1.9 percentage point increase in the acquisition expense ratio primarily due to the impact of the purchase accounting adjustments relating to the Validus Acquisition; and

– a 1.2 percentage point increase in the operating expense ratio, mainly due to a higher performance-based compensation expense as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.

Fee Income: $70.8 million of fee income, up 133.2% from Q4 2022; increase in both management and performance fees

Fee Income

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

December 31,

 

Q/Q

Change

(in thousands)

2023

 

2022

 

Total management fee income

$

47,769

$

25,984

$

21,785

Total performance fee income (loss) (1)

 

23,014

 

4,363

 

18,651

Total fee income

$

70,783

$

30,347

$

40,436

(1)

 

Performance fees are based on the performance of the individual vehicles or products, and may be negative in a particular period if, for example, large losses occur, which can potentially result in no performance fees or the reversal of previously accrued performance fees.

  • Management fee income increased $21.8 million, reflecting:

– growth in the Company’s joint ventures and managed funds, specifically DaVinciRe Holdings Ltd. (“DaVinci”), Fontana Holdings L.P. (“Fontana”), Vermeer Reinsurance Ltd. (“Vermeer”) and RenaissanceRe Medici Fund Ltd. (“Medici”).

– the recording of management fees in DaVinci that were previously deferred as a result of the weather-related large losses experienced in prior years, as compared to the deferral of management fees in the fourth quarter of 2022 due to weather-related large losses.

  • Performance fee income increased $18.7 million, driven by improved current year underwriting results, primarily in DaVinci.

Investment Results: Total investment result improved $583.5 million; net investment income growth of 78.5%

Investment Results

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

December 31,

 

Q/Q

Change

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

2023

 

 

 

2022

 

 

Net investment income

$

376,962

 

$

211,237

 

$

165,725

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

585,939

 

 

168,139

 

 

417,800

Total investment result

$

962,901

 

$

379,376

 

$

583,525

Net investment income return – annualized

 

5.7

%

 

4.1

%

1.6 pts

Total investment return – annualized

 

15.2

%

 

7.4

%

7.8 pts

 

 

 

 

  • Net investment income increased $165.7 million, primarily driven by a combination of higher yielding assets in the fixed maturity and short term portfolios, and higher average invested assets partially resulting from the Validus Acquisition.
  • Net realized and unrealized gains on investments increased $417.8 million, principally driven by:

– Net realized and unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments trading of $578.1 million, primarily driven by decreases in interest rates, compared to net realized and unrealized gains of $77.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 due to modest reductions in interest rates during the period;

– Net realized and unrealized gains on equity investments of $11.2 million, compared to net realized and unrealized gains of $59.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, following a reduction in the size of the equity investments portfolio during 2023; and

– Net realized and unrealized losses on investment-related derivatives of $46.0 million, compared to net realized and unrealized losses of $3.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The current quarter losses were primarily driven by the negative impact of tightening credit spreads on credit default swaps that the Company uses to hedge credit risk.

  • Total investments grew to $29.2 billion at December 31, 2023, from $22.2 billion at December 31, 2022, primarily driven by the integration of $4.9 billion of investments as part of the Validus Acquisition. Weighted average yield to maturity and duration on the Company’s investment portfolio (excluding investments that have no final maturity, yield to maturity or duration) was 5.8% and 2.6 years (2022 – 5.7% and 2.5 years, respectively).

Other Items of Note – Fourth Quarter

  • Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests of $403.0 million was primarily driven by:

– strong underwriting results in DaVinci and Vermeer;

– strong net investment income driven by higher interest rates and higher yielding assets within the investment portfolios of the Company’s joint ventures and managed funds; and

– net realized and unrealized gains on the investment portfolios of the Company’s joint ventures and managed funds, driven by decreases in interest rates, as described above.

  • Raised third-party capital of $193.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, primarily in Medici, Fontana and Upsilon RFO Re Ltd. (“Upsilon RFO”).
  • Returned third-party capital of $364.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2023, including the return of $300.3 million from RenaissanceRe Upsilon Diversified Fund, a segregated account of Upsilon Fund (“Upsilon Diversified Fund”), as a result of the release of collateral associated with prior underwriting years contracts.
  • Corporate expenses increased by $62.7 million, primarily driven by expenses incurred in support of integration planning activities associated with the Validus Acquisition.
  • On December 27, 2023, the Government of Bermuda enacted the Corporate Income Tax Act 2023, which will apply a 15% corporate income tax to certain Bermuda businesses in fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. The act includes a provision referred to as the economic transition adjustment, which is intended to provide a fair and equitable transition into the tax regime, and results in a deferred tax benefit for the Company. The act will also require the Company to reverse certain transaction related purchase accounting adjustments in determining its taxable income, which results in a deferred tax expense. Pursuant to this legislation, the Company recorded a $593.8 million net deferred tax asset in the fourth quarter of 2023, expected to be utilized predominantly over a 10-year period. The Company expects to incur and pay increased taxes in Bermuda beginning in 2025.
  • Income tax benefit of $554.2 million compared to an expense of $5.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in income tax benefit was primarily driven by the net deferred tax benefit discussed above, partially offset by increased income tax expense in the Company’s other operating jurisdictions as a result of higher operating income and investment gains.
Consolidated Financial Results – Full Year
 

Consolidated Highlights

 

 

 

Year ended

December 31,

(in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages)

 

2023

 

 

 

2022

 

Gross premiums written

$

8,862,366

 

$

9,213,540

 

Net premiums written

 

7,467,813

 

 

7,196,160

 

Underwriting income (loss)

 

1,647,408

 

 

149,852

 

Combined ratio

 

77.9

%

 

97.7

%

Adjusted combined ratio (1)

 

77.1

%

 

97.5

%

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

 

Available (attributable) to common shareholders

$

2,525,757

 

$

(1,096,578

)

Available (attributable) to common shareholders per diluted common share

$

52.27

 

$

(25.50

)

Operating Income (Loss) (1)

 

 

Available (attributable) to common shareholders

$

1,824,910

 

$

322,791

 

Available (attributable) to common shareholders per diluted common share

$

37.54

 

$

7.47

 

Book value per common share

$

165.20

 

$

104.65

 

Change in book value per share

 

57.9

%

 

(20.8

)%

Tangible book value per common share plus accumulated dividends (1)

$

168.39

 

$

122.15

 

 

 

 

Change in book value per common share plus change in accumulated dividends

 

57.9

%

 

(20.8

)%

Change in tangible book value per common share plus change in accumulated dividends (1)

 

47.6

%

 

(20.8

)%

Return on average common equity

 

40.5

%

 

(22.0

)%

Operating return on average common equity (1)

 

29.3

%

 

6.4

%

 

(1) See “Comments on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

Net negative impact of the 2023 Large Loss Events

Net negative impact on underwriting result includes the sum of (1) net claims and claim expenses incurred, (2) assumed and ceded reinstatement premiums earned and (3) earned and lost profit commissions. Net negative impact on net income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders is the sum of (1) net negative impact on underwriting result and (2) redeemable noncontrolling interest, both before consideration of any related income tax benefit (expense).

The Company’s estimates of net negative impact are based on a review of the Company’s potential exposures, preliminary discussions with certain counterparties and actuarial modeling techniques. The Company’s actual net negative impact, both individually and in the aggregate, may vary from these estimates, perhaps materially. Changes in these estimates will be recorded in the period in which they occur.

Meaningful uncertainty remains regarding the estimates and the nature and extent of the losses from these catastrophe events, driven by the magnitude and recent nature of each event, the geographic areas impacted by the events, relatively limited claims data received to date, the contingent nature of business interruption and other exposures, potential uncertainties relating to reinsurance recoveries and other factors inherent in loss estimation, among other things.

Net negative impact on the consolidated financial statements

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2023

2023 Large

Loss Events (1)

(in thousands)

 

Net claims and claims expenses incurred

$

(354,228

)

Assumed reinstatement premiums earned

 

46,534

 

Ceded reinstatement premiums earned

 

(62

)

Earned (lost) profit commissions

 

9,130

 

Net negative impact on underwriting result

 

(298,626

)

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

85,276

 

Net negative impact on net income (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders

$

(213,350

)

 

 

Net negative impact on the segment underwriting results and consolidated combined ratio

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2023

2023 Large

Loss Events (1)

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

Net negative impact on Property segment underwriting result

$

(298,119

)

Net negative impact on Casualty and Specialty segment underwriting result

 

(507

)

Net negative impact on underwriting result

$

(298,626

)

Percentage point impact on consolidated combined ratio

 

4.1

 

 

 

(1)

 

“2023 Large Loss Events” includes:(1) Hurricane Otis and Storm Ciaran in October and November 2023 (“Q4 2023 Large Loss Events); (2) the wildfires in Hawaii in August 2023 and Hurricane Idalia (“Q3 2023 Large Loss Events”); (3) a series of large, severe weather events in Texas and other southern and central U.S. states in June 2023 (“Q2 2023 Large Loss Events”); (4) the earthquakes in southern and central Turkey in February 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle, the flooding in northern New Zealand in January and February 2023, and various wind and thunderstorm events in both the Southern and Midwest U.S. during March 2023 (“Q1 2023 Large Loss Events”); and (5) certain aggregate loss contracts triggered during 2023.

Three Drivers of Profit: Underwriting, Fee, and Investment Income – Full Year

Underwriting Results – Property Segment: Combined ratio of 53.4%; 10.5 percentage points from the 2023 Large Loss Events.

Property Segment

 

 

 

 

Year ended

December 31,

 

Y/Y

Change

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

2023

 

 

 

2022

 

 

Gross premiums written

$

3,562,414

 

$

3,734,241

 

(4.6

)%

Net premiums written

 

2,967,309

 

 

2,847,659

 

4.2

%

Underwriting income (loss)

 

1,439,327

 

 

(16,109

)

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios

 

 

 

Net claims and claim expense ratio – current accident year

 

39.1

%

 

81.2

%

(42.1) pts

Net claims and claim expense ratio – prior accident years

 

(13.2

)%

 

(7.4

)%

(5.8) pts

Net claims and claim expense ratio – calendar year

 

25.9

%

 

73.8

%

(47.9) pts

Underwriting expense ratio

 

27.5

%

 

26.8

%

0.7 pts

Combined ratio

 

53.4

%

 

100.6

%

(47.2) pts

Adjusted combined ratio (1)

 

52.9

%

 

100.4

%

(47.5) pts

 

(1) See “Comments on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

  • Gross premiums written decreased $171.8 million, or 4.6%, driven by:

– a decrease in other property of $241.4 million, or 14.6%, principally due to the non-renewal of certain catastrophe exposed quota share programs that did not meet the Company’s return hurdles; partially offset by

– an increase in catastrophe gross premiums written of $69.6 million, or 3.3%, driven by an increase of $552.8 million in gross premiums written as a result of rate improvements during the year, largely offset by a decrease of $268.4 million in gross premiums written due to the non-renewal of deals written in Upsilon RFO, and a decrease of $214.

Contacts

INVESTOR CONTACT:
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

Keith McCue

Senior Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations

(441) 239-4830

MEDIA CONTACT:
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

Hayden Kenny

Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications

(441) 239-4946

or

Kekst CNC

Nicholas Capuano

(917) 842-7859

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