PEMBROKE, Bermuda–(BUSINESS WIRE)– PartnerRe Ltd. (NYSE:PRE) today reported a net loss of $243.3 million, or $5.08 per share for the third quarter of 2015. This includes the amalgamation termination fee and reimbursement of expenses paid to Axis Capital of $315.0 million, or $6.58 per share, and net after-tax realized and unrealized losses on investments of $121.8 million, or $2.54 per share. Net income for the third quarter of 2014 was $182.2 million, or $3.60 per share, including net after-tax realized and unrealized losses on investments of $35.4 million, or $0.70 per share. The Company reported operating earnings of $211.6 million, or $4.42 per share, for the third quarter of 2015. This compares to operating earnings of $226.7 million, or $4.47 per share, for the third quarter of 2014.
The net loss for the first nine months of 2015 was $114.7 million, or $2.40 per share. This includes the amalgamation termination fee and reimbursement of expenses paid to Axis Capital of $315.0 million, or $6.60 per share, and net after-tax realized and unrealized losses on investments of $238.7 million, or $5.00 per share. Net income for the first nine months of 2014 was $735.5 million, or $14.26 per share. This includes net after-tax realized and unrealized gains on investments of $204.1 million, or $3.95 per share. Operating earnings for the first nine months of 2015 were $474.6 million, or $9.95 per share. This compares to operating earnings of $537.1 million, or $10.42 per share, for the first nine months of 2014.
Operating earnings or loss excludes certain net after-tax realized and unrealized investment gains and losses, net after-tax foreign exchange gains and losses, certain net after-tax interest in results of equity method investments, the loss on redemption of preferred shares, certain net after-tax withholding tax on inter-company dividends (included in other expenses) and the amalgamation termination fee and reimbursement of expenses paid to Axis Capital (included in other expenses), and is calculated after the payment of preferred dividends. All references to per share amounts in the text of this press release are on a fully diluted basis.
PartnerRe Interim Chief Executive Officer David Zwiener said, “Our results this quarter reflect a number of factors, most notably the amalgamation termination fee paid to Axis Capital, and continued difficult financial and investment markets, both of which had a negative impact on our book value. Despite the noise, and the impact of the Chinese Tianjin loss in August, our underlying results remain strong. All in, we posted a 1.4 point improvement in our Non-life combined ratio to 82.8% when compared to the third quarter of 2014. Our Life and Health portfolios also remain strong. Overall for the third quarter, we recorded an operating ROE of 14%, which on the back of our solid performance for the first half of 2015, resulted in an operating ROE of 10.5% for the year to date.”
Commenting on market conditions, PartnerRe President Emmanuel Clarke, said, “As we look ahead to the important January renewal season, which accounts for more than 60% of our Non-life treaty premium, reinsurance markets remain competitive across the board. In addition, M&A activity is continuing to be a distraction for some market participants. At PartnerRe, however, we continue to distinguish ourselves with our clients as a stable and focused partner with long-term financial flexibility, and a proven track record of reliability.”
