AFG Q1 2021 Earnings Report
Key Takeaways
American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG) reported a strong first quarter in 2021, with net earnings attributable to shareholders of $419 million ($4.84 per share) compared to a net loss of $301 million ($3.34 per share loss) for the 2020 first quarter. Core net operating earnings were $206 million ($2.38 per share), a 75% increase from the prior year period. The company increased its full-year core net operating earnings guidance to $7.00 - $8.00 per share.
Net earnings per share were $4.84, including $2.46 from after-tax non-core items.
Core net operating earnings were $2.38 per share, a 75% increase year-over-year.
The annualized return on equity was 29.9%, with a core operating ROE of 14.7%.
Full-year 2021 core net operating earnings guidance increased to $7.00 - $8.00 per share.
AFG
AFG
AFG Revenue by Segment
Forward Guidance
AFG now expects core net operating earnings in 2021 to be in the range of $7.00 to $8.00 per share. This guidance excludes earnings from discontinued annuity operations and assumes zero earnings on parent company cash.
Positive Outlook
- Market to remain firm throughout 2021, allowing solid renewal rate increases.
- Expect an overall 2021 calendar year combined ratio in the range of 89% to 91%.
- Expect net written premiums to be 7% to 10% higher than the $5.0 billion reported in 2020.
- The sale of our Annuity business to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) is expected to close in the second quarter and will significantly enhance AFG’s cash and excess capital.
- Based on the strong results reported in the first quarter, we now expect AFG’s core net operating earnings in 2021 to be in the range of $7.00 to $8.00, an increase from our previous range of $6.25 to $7.25 per share.
Challenges Ahead
- Guidance excludes earnings from our discontinued annuity operations that will be sold to MassMutual.
- Guidance continues to assume zero earnings on parent company cash, including the expected $3.4 billion in net cash proceeds.
- Guidance excludes non-core items such as results of discontinued operations, realized gains and losses and other significant items that are not able to be estimated with reasonable precision.
- Guidance reflects a normal crop year.
- Guidance reflects an annualized return of approximately 8% on alternative investments that are marked to market through core earnings over the remaining three quarters of 2021.
Revenue & Expenses
Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income