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Mar 31, 2022

White Mountains Q1 2022 Earnings Report

Reported a good first quarter with ABVPS up 1%. Positive results from operating companies and equity portfolio offset headwinds from rising interest rates.

Key Takeaways

White Mountains reported a positive first quarter, with adjusted book value per share increasing by 1%. The company benefited from strong performance in its operating companies and equity portfolio, which offset the negative impact of rising interest rates on its fixed income portfolio. Key contributors included BAM, Ark, NSM, and Kudu.

Adjusted book value per share increased by 1% in Q1 2022.

BAM produced $22 million of total premiums and member surplus contributions.

Ark's gross written premiums increased by 57% year-over-year, with risk adjusted rate change up 9%.

NSM experienced healthy growth in pro forma controlled premiums and pro forma adjusted EBITDA.

Total Revenue
$260M
Previous year: $178M
+46.1%
EPS
-$11.1
Previous year: -$30.3
-63.4%
Gross Profit
$328M
Previous year: $216M
+51.7%
Cash and Equivalents
$188M
Previous year: $471M
-60.0%
Total Assets
$7.36B
Previous year: $6.9B
+6.6%

White Mountains

White Mountains

White Mountains Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

The company provided forward guidance, expressing optimism about continued profitable growth in the book, driven by strong January renewals and attractive market conditions.

Positive Outlook

  • Strong rate environment experienced in 2021 has carried through to 2022.
  • Driven by solid January renewals, gross written premiums were up 57% from 2021, with risk adjusted rate change up 9%.
  • Market conditions remain attractive.
  • Optimistic about continued profitable growth in the book.
  • Kudu expects further capital deployments throughout the year.

Challenges Ahead

  • Rising interest rates were a headwind in the fixed income portfolio.
  • Ark produced break-even underwriting results in the quarter, reflecting the impact of estimated losses emanating from the conflict in Ukraine.
  • Losses from the conflict in Ukraine could increase as the conflict continues.
  • HG Global's pre-tax loss increased due to lower investment returns on the fixed income portfolio.
  • BAM's pre-tax loss increased due to lower investment returns on the fixed income portfolio.

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income