Quantcast
 
New book by Larry Connors Click here Improve your trading - See how


 

Lincoln Financial Group Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results

Wed. October 28, 2009; Posted: 04:05 PM
Stocks RSS
PHILADELPHIA, Oct 28, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- LNC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) today reported net income of $153 million, or $0.44 per diluted share available to common stockholders, for the third quarter of 2009, versus $148 million, or $0.58 per diluted share in the prior-year quarter. The 2009 quarter included a positive adjustment of $55 million, after tax, or $0.18 per diluted share, related to the previously announced sale of Lincoln National (UK) plc; realized investment losses of $42 million, after tax, or $0.14 per diluted share; and a loss of $151 million, after tax, or $0.49 per diluted share, primarily attributable to the non-performance risk factor on the variable annuity hedge program.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050830/LFLOGO )

Income from operations for the third quarter of 2009 was $276 million, or $0.84 per diluted share available to common stockholders, compared to $298 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008. The current period reflects lower average variable account values compared to a year ago and a modest loss on alternative investments. The company's annual comprehensive review of actuarial assumptions had little impact on income from operations in the 2009 quarter.

Income from operations and production results in the third quarter of 2009 exclude Lincoln UK and Delaware Investments, which are now included in discontinued operations for the current period and all periods presented. The current quarter's earnings available to common stockholders per share reflect the accrued dividend and accretion of discount on the series B preferred stock, as well as an increase in average common shares outstanding primarily related to the company's recent equity issuance.

Third Quarter 2009 Highlights:

    --  Consolidated deposits of $5.3 billion were down 2% from last year, but
        up 10% from the prior quarter.
    --  Consolidated net flows of $2.3 billion were up 34% year-over-year and
        25% sequentially.
    --  Consecutive quarters of double-digit growth in net flows and equity
        market appreciation drove ending account balances to $137 billion, the
        highest level since June 2008.
    --  At the end of the third quarter, the company reported a net unrealized
        gain position on available-for-sale securities of $5 million, after tax,
        versus a net unrealized loss position of $1.6 billion, after tax, on
        June 30, 2009.

    --  On October 1, the company completed the sale of Lincoln National UK and
        remains on track to complete the Delaware Investments transaction at or
        around year-end.

Dennis R. Glass, president and CEO, said, "Lincoln Financial delivered another quarter of solid fundamentals with sequential growth in income from operations, book value per share, deposits and net flows. The strategic actions taken over the last ten months have reaffirmed Lincoln's position as a strong competitor. We have strengthened our capital position, sharpened our focus on the core insurance and retirement businesses, reinforced our distribution relationships, and updated our product portfolios to better align consumer value, risk management and profitability in today's environment. As the economy and consumer confidence begin to recover, we are well-positioned to drive profitable growth and long-term value for our stakeholders."

Third Quarter 2009 - Segment Results

Retirement Solutions

Individual Annuities

The Individual Annuities segment reported income from operations of $95 million in the third quarter of 2009 versus $131 million in the year-ago period, reflecting, in part, lower average variable account balances compared to the prior year. The 2009 quarter included a net positive impact of approximately $15 million, after tax, primarily attributable to positive retrospective DAC unlocking from equity market appreciation. The prior-year period included net positive items of approximately $13 million, after tax, primarily attributable to tax-related items.

Gross annuity deposits were $3.1 billion, up 5% from the prior year and 18% sequentially. Net flows were $1.6 billion, up 70% versus the 2008 quarter and 53% versus the second quarter. Broad distribution relationships, wholesaler productivity improvements and a diversified fixed and variable product portfolio positively impacted results. Fixed and indexed annuity product deposits of $1.3 billion more than doubled year-over-year and were up 40% sequentially, driving continued improvement in net flows for both periods. Variable annuity product deposits of $1.8 billion and net flows of $747 million were up sequentially 6% and 15%, respectively, but down year-over-year due to market conditions.

Defined Contribution

Defined Contribution reported income from operations of $43 million, versus $42 million for the same period a year ago. The 2009 quarter included a net positive impact of approximately $5 million, after tax, primarily attributable to positive prospective DAC unlocking.

Gross deposits of $1.1 billion were down 17% versus prior year. Total net flows were $144 million, up 55% compared to the year-ago quarter, reflecting continued strong persistency.

Insurance Solutions

Life Insurance

Life Insurance income from operations was $137 million, equal to the third quarter of 2008. The life insurance segment's results in 2009 reflect capital-related reinsurance transactions and included a net negative impact of approximately $6 million, after tax, primarily attributable to negative prospective DAC unlocking which was partially offset by tax-related items. The 2009 quarter also included a loss on alternative investments of $5 million, after tax, versus alternative investment income of $10 million, after tax, in 2008. The prior period's results included a net negative impact of approximately $30 million, after tax, primarily related to DAC unlocking.

Life insurance sales were $146 million compared to $190 million in the 2008 period and $124 million in the second quarter of 2009. MoneyGuard, a linked-benefit universal life insurance policy with a long term care rider, and term life insurance sales increased over 60% year-over-year, demonstrating the strength of the diversified product portfolio.

Group Protection

For the third quarter, Group Protection's income from operations was $35 million, compared to $27 million in the prior-year period. The non-medical loss ratio in the current period was 68%, driven by favorable experience in group disability and life.

Net earned premiums were $380 million in the third quarter, up 2% over the year-ago period, reflecting lower premium persistency due to workforce and wage reductions within small businesses. Annualized sales of $80 million increased 17% year-over-year with voluntary sales representing 37% in the quarter.

Other Operations

The operating loss in Other Operations was $33 million in the quarter, versus $40 million in the prior-year quarter.

Alternative Investment Income

Income from operations in the third quarter of 2009 included a loss on alternative investments of $1 million, after tax, compared to income of $12 million, after tax, in the 2008 period. In the current quarter, the Life Insurance segment reported a loss on alternative investments of $5 million, which was partially offset by alternative investment income of $1 million in the Defined Contribution segment, $2 million in the Individual Annuities segment, and $1 million in the Other Operations segment.

Realized Gains and Losses

Total gross realized losses on general account investments were $174 million, pre DAC and tax, primarily related to residential mortgage backed securities and financial institutions. The variable annuity hedge program performed as expected in the quarter. The after-DAC and tax loss of $151 million was primarily driven by the non-performance risk factor which accounted for $138 million of the loss.

Book Value

As of September 30, 2009, the book value per share of common stock, including accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), was $38.56 compared to $37.11 a year ago. Book value per share, excluding AOCI, was $39.29, compared to $44.18 a year ago.

This press release may contain statements that are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially, especially given the current economic and credit conditions. Please see the Forward-Looking Statements - Cautionary Language that follow for additional factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations.

The tables attached to this release define and reconcile income from operations, ROE, and book value per share excluding AOCI, non-GAAP measures, to net income, ROE, and book value per share including AOCI calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Lincoln Financial Group will discuss the company's third quarter results with investors in a conference call beginning at 11:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, October 29, 2009. Interested persons are invited to listen through the internet. Please go to www.LincolnFinancial.com/webcast at least fifteen minutes prior to the event to register, download and install any necessary streaming media software. Interested persons may also listen to the call by dialing the following numbers:


       - Dial:(888) 715-1391 (Domestic)
              (913) 312-6694  (International)

       - Ask for the Lincoln National Conference Call.

The company will also post its third quarter 2009 statistical supplement and a general account supplement on its Web site, www.LincolnFinancial.com/investor.

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the operating companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $137 billion as of September 30, 2009. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life and disability insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; mutual funds; managed accounts; institutional investments; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. Affiliates also include: Delaware Investments, the marketing name for Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

Definition of Income (Loss) from Operations and ROE

Income (loss) from operations and ROE, as used in the earnings release, are non-GAAP financial measures and are not substitutes for net income (loss) and ROE, calculated using GAAP measures. Income (loss) from operations represents after-tax results excluding, as applicable, realized gains and losses associated with the following: sale or disposal of securities; impairments of securities; change in the fair value of embedded derivatives within certain reinsurance arrangements and the change in the fair value of related trading securities; change in the guaranteed living benefits embedded derivative reserves within our variable annuities net of the change in the fair value of the derivatives we own to hedge the changes in the embedded derivative reserves, the net of which is referred to as GLB net derivatives results; net difference between the benefit ratio reserves on our guaranteed death benefit riders within our variable annuities and the change in the fair value of the derivatives excluding our expected cost of the hedging instruments; and changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products, income (loss) from the initial adoption of changes in accounting standards, income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance, losses on early retirement of debt, including subordinated debt, losses from the impairment of intangible assets and income (loss) from discontinued operations.

The earnings used to calculate ROE, as used in the earnings release, are income (loss) from operations. Income (loss) from operations is an internal measure used by the company in the management of its operations. Management believes that this performance measure explains the results of the company's ongoing businesses in a manner that allows for a better understanding of the underlying trends in the company's current business because the excluded items are unpredictable and not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance of the business segments, and, in most instances, decisions regarding these items do not necessarily relate to the operations of the individual segments.


                                        For the                For the
    ($in millions, except          Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
      per share data)                 September 30,          September 30,
                                ---------------------  ---------------------
                                    2009         2008       2009       2008
                                ---------------------  ---------------------
    Net Income (Loss) Available
     to Common Stockholders       $137.0       $148.3    $(603.4)    $561.7
    Less:
     Preferred stock dividends
      and accretion of discount    (16.3)           -      (16.3)         -

     Minority Interest Adjustment      -         (0.1)      (0.1)      (0.6)
                                ---------------------  ---------------------
    Net Income (Loss)              153.3        148.4     (587.0)     562.3
    Less:
     Excluded realized loss,
      after-tax                   (196.0)      (168.7)    (600.3)    (274.0)
     Income from reserve
      changes (net of related
      amortization) on business
      sold through reinsurance,
      after-tax                      0.4          0.4        1.3        1.3
     Gain on early extinguishment
      of debt, after tax               -            -       41.8          -

     Impairment of intangibles,
      after-tax                      1.4            -     (601.5)    (139.0)

     Income (loss) from
      discontinued operations,
      after-tax                     72.0         18.9      (74.1)      68.6
                                ---------------------  --------------------
    Income from Operations        $275.5       $297.8     $645.8     $905.4
                                =====================  ====================


    Earnings (Loss) Per
     Share (Diluted)
    Income from operations          0.84         1.16       2.27       3.48
    Net income (loss) (1)           0.44         0.58      (2.21)      2.16

    Average Equity
    (Excluding AOCI)           $11,329.1    $11,308.2  $10,803.0  $11,371.9

    Return on Equity
    Net income (loss)                5.4%         5.2%      -7.2%       6.6%
    Income from operations           9.7%        10.5%       8.0%      10.6%


    (1)  In those periods with a loss from continuing operations, shares used
     in the earnings per share calculation represent basic shares, since using
     diluted shares would have been anti-dilutive. This same concept applies
     to our income from operations as well.

Definition of Book Value Per Share Excluding AOCI

Book value per share excluding AOCI is calculated based upon a non-GAAP financial measure. It is calculated by dividing (a) stockholders' equity excluding AOCI, by (b) common shares outstanding. Management provides book value per share excluding AOCI to enable investors to analyze the amount of our net worth that is primarily attributable to our business operations. Management believes book value per share excluding AOCI is useful to investors because it eliminates the effect of items that can fluctuate significantly from period to period, primarily based on changes in interest rates. Book value per share is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. A reconciliation of book value per share to book value per share excluding AOCI as of September 30, 2009 and 2008 is set forth below.


                                                As of September 30,
                                               ---------------------
                                                 2009          2008
                                               ---------------------
    Book value per share, including AOCI       $38.56        $37.11
    Per share impact of AOCI                    (0.73)        (7.07)
    Book value per share, excluding AOCI       $39.29        $44.18

LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

DIGEST OF EARNINGS



                                                   For the Three Months Ended
                                                           September 30,
                                                   --------------------------
    ($in millions, except per share data)              2009            2008
                                                   --------------------------
    Revenues                                         $2,080.5        $2,269.9

    Net Income                                         $153.3          $148.4
    Preferred stock dividends and accretion of
     discount                                           (16.3)              -
    Minority interest adjustment                            -            (0.1)
    Net Income Available to Common Stockholders         137.0           148.3

    Earnings Per Share - Basic                          $0.45           $0.58
    Earnings Per Share - Diluted                         0.44            0.58
    Average Shares - Basic                        301,803,108     255,865,067
    Average Shares - Diluted                      310,039,883     257,645,254

                                                    For the Nine Months Ended
                                                           September 30,
                                                   --------------------------
                                                         2009            2008
                                                   --------------------------
    Revenues                                        $6,100.00        $7,070.7

    Net Income (Loss)                                 $(587.0)         $562.3
    Preferred stock dividends and accretion of
     discount                                           (16.3)              -
    Minority interest adjustment                         (0.1)           (0.6)
    Net Income (Loss) Available to Common
     Stockholders                                      (603.4)          561.7

    Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic           $(2.21)          $2.18
    Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted(1)       (2.21)           2.16

    Average Shares - Basic                        272,651,820     258,192,178
    Average Shares - Diluted                      276,916,574     259,962,129


    (1)  In those periods with a loss from continuing operations, shares used
     in the earnings per share calculation represent basic shares, since using
     diluted shares would have been anti-dilutive.

Forward Looking Statements -- Cautionary Language

Certain statements made in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"). A forward-looking statement is a statement that is not a historical fact and, without limitation, includes any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words like: "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "estimate", "project", "will", "shall" and other words or phrases with similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, trends in our businesses, prospective services or products, future performance or financial results, and the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings. Lincoln claims the protection afforded by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the PSLRA.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results contained in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary materially, some of which are described within the forward-looking statements include, among others:

    --  Continued deterioration in general economic and business conditions,
        both domestic and foreign, that may affect foreign exchange rates,
        premium levels, claims experience, the level of pension benefit costs
        and funding and investment results;
    --  Continued economic declines and credit market illiquidity could cause us
        to realize additional impairments on investments and certain intangible
        assets, including goodwill and a valuation allowance against deferred
        tax assets, which may reduce future earnings and/or affect our financial
        condition and ability to raise additional capital or refinance existing
        debt as it matures;
    --  Uncertainty about the impact of the U.S. Treasury's Troubled Asset
        Relief Program on the economy;
    --  The cost and other consequences of our participation in the Capital
        Purchase Program, including the impact of existing and future
        regulations to which we may become subject;
    --  Legislative, regulatory or tax changes, both domestic and foreign, that
        affect the cost of, or demand for, Lincoln's products, the required
        amount of reserves and/or surplus, or otherwise affect our ability to
        conduct business, including changes to statutory reserves and/or
        risk-based capital requirements related to secondary guarantees under
        universal life and variable annuity products such as Actuarial Guideline
        43 also known as VACARVM; restrictions on revenue sharing and 12b-1
        payments; and the potential for U.S. Federal tax reform;
    --  The initiation of legal or regulatory proceedings against Lincoln or its
        subsidiaries, and the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings,
        such as:  adverse actions related to present or past business practices
        common in businesses in which Lincoln and its subsidiaries compete;
        adverse decisions in significant actions including, but not limited to,
        actions brought by federal and state authorities and extra-contractual
        and class action damage cases; new decisions that result in changes in
        law; and  unexpected trial court rulings;
    --  Changes in interest rates causing a reduction of investment income, the
        margins of Lincoln's fixed annuity and life insurance businesses and
        demand for Lincoln's products;
    --  A decline in the equity markets causing a reduction in the sales of
        Lincoln's products, a reduction of asset-based fees that Lincoln charges
        on various investment and insurance products, an acceleration of
        amortization of deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired,
        deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads and an increase
        in liabilities related to guaranteed benefit features of Lincoln's
        variable annuity products;
    --  Ineffectiveness of Lincoln's various hedging strategies used to offset
        the impact of changes in the value of liabilities due to changes in the
        level and volatility of the equity markets and interest rates;
    --  A deviation in actual experience regarding future persistency,
        mortality, morbidity, interest rates or equity market returns from
        Lincoln's assumptions used in pricing its products, in establishing
        related insurance reserves and in the amortization of intangibles that
        may result in an increase in reserves and a decrease in net income;
    --  Changes in GAAP that may result in unanticipated changes to Lincoln's
        net income;
    --  Lowering of one or more of Lincoln's debt ratings issued by nationally
        recognized statistical rating organizations and the adverse impact such
        action may have on Lincoln's ability to raise capital and on its
        liquidity and financial condition;
    --  Lowering of one or more of the insurer financial strength ratings of
        Lincoln's insurance subsidiaries and the adverse impact such action may
        have on the premium writings, policy retention, profitability of its
        insurance subsidiaries and liquidity;
    --  Significant credit, accounting, fraud or corporate governance issues
        that may adversely affect the value of certain investments in the
        portfolios of Lincoln's companies requiring that Lincoln realize losses
        on such investments;
    --  The impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product
        withdrawals and other unusual items, including Lincoln's ability to
        integrate acquisitions and to obtain the anticipated results and
        synergies from acquisitions;
    --  The adequacy and collectibility of reinsurance that Lincoln has
        purchased;
    --  Acts of terrorism, a pandemic, war or other man-made and natural
        catastrophes that may adversely affect Lincoln's businesses and the cost
        and availability of reinsurance;
    --  Competitive conditions, including pricing pressures, new product
        offerings and the emergence of new competitors, that may affect the
        level of premiums and fees that Lincoln can charge for its products;
    --  The unknown impact on Lincoln's business resulting from changes in the
        demographics of Lincoln's client base, as aging baby-boomers move from
        the asset-accumulation stage to the asset-distribution stage of life;
        and

    --  Loss of key management, portfolio managers in the Investment Management
        segment, financial planners or wholesalers.

The risks included here are not exhaustive. Lincoln's annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC include additional factors which could impact Lincoln's business and financial performance. Moreover, Lincoln operates in a rapidly changing and competitive environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors.

Further, it is not possible to assess the impact of all risk factors on Lincoln's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. In addition, Lincoln disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release.

SOURCE Lincoln Financial Group

http://www.lfg.com
For full details on Lincoln National Corp (LNC) click here. Lincoln National Corp (LNC) has Short Term PowerRatings of 5. Details on Lincoln National Corp (LNC) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.

    


More News:   Market Updates | Stock Alerts | All Trading News | Stock Index

Email
Print
Archives
Feedback
Email Article Link
Close X
Recipients email address
Your name
Your email
Add a note (optional)




Stocks RSS





Related News [LNC]
  UPCOMING EVENTS
Learn new strategies, how to trade in this market, and the stocks you should be focusing on each day. Join us for our free 20 minute tele-seminars during the week.
* Attendance is strictly limited and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
PREMIER SPONSORED LINKS
TRADE CENTER
 
The TradingMarkets Directory
RELATED SITES
Nothing but forex
Please call 1-213-955-5858 ext. 1

About TradingMarkets | Contact | Advertise | Careers | Link to Us | Site Map | Help | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Return Policy | Testimonials | Feedback

Disclaimer:

The Connors Group, Inc. ("Company") is not an investment advisory service, nor a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer and does not purport to tell or suggest which securities or currencies customers should buy or sell for themselves. The analysts and employees or affiliates of Company may hold positions in the stocks, currencies or industries discussed here. You understand and acknowledge that there is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities and/or currencies. The Company, the authors, the publisher, and all affiliates of Company assume no responsibility or liability for your trading and investment results. Factual statements on the Company's website, or in its publications, are made as of the date stated and are subject to change without notice.

It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable or that they will not result in losses. Past results of any individual trader or trading system published by Company are not indicative of future returns by that trader or system, and are not indicative of future returns which be realized by you. In addition, the indicators, strategies, columns, articles and all other features of Company's products (collectively, the "Information") are provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Examples presented on Company's website are for educational purposes only. Such set-ups are not solicitations of any order to buy or sell. Accordingly, you should not rely solely on the Information in making any investment. Rather, you should use the Information only as a starting point for doing additional independent research in order to allow you to form your own opinion regarding investments. You should always check with your licensed financial advisor and tax advisor to determine the suitability of any investment.

HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN INHERENT LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING AND MAY NOT BE IMPACTED BY BROKERAGE AND OTHER SLIPPAGE FEES. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT ACTUALLY BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER- OR OVER-COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.

The Connors Group, Inc.
10 Exchange Place, Suite 1800
Jersey City, NJ 07302

© Copyright 2009 The Connors Group, Inc.


All analyst commentary provided on TradingMarkets.com is provided for educational purposes only. The analysts and employees or affiliates of TradingMarkets.com may hold positions in the stocks or industries discussed here. This information is NOT a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Your use of this and all information contained on TradingMarkets.com is governed by the Terms and Conditions of Use. Please click the link to view those terms. Follow this link to read our Editorial Policy.

© 2009 The Connors Group, Inc.