UNITED STATES

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) June 16, 2017

 

INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

001-32244

58-1407235

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(Commission File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

96 Cummings Point Road, Stamford, Connecticut

06902

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (203) 358-8000

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-4(c))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

The information set forth under this Item 2.02 (Results of Operations and Financial Condition) is intended to be furnished. Such information, including the Exhibit attached hereto, shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

On June 16, 2017, Independence Holding Company issued a news release reporting its 2017 first-quarter results, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(c)  Exhibits:

 

Exhibit 99.1  News Release of Independence Holding Company dated June 16, 2017: Independence Holding Company Announces First-Quarter Results.

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

 

(Registrant)

 

 

By: Teresa A. Herbert

 

 

 

/s/ Teresa A. Herbert

Teresa A. Herbert

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Date:

 

June 16, 2017

 




INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

CONTACT:  Loan Nisser

96 CUMMINGS POINT ROAD

(646) 509-2107

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06902

www.IHCGroup.com

NYSE: IHC

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY ANNOUNCES

2017 FIRST-QUARTER RESULTS

 

 

Stamford, Connecticut, June 16, 2017. Independence Holding Company (NYSE: IHC) today reported 2017 first-quarter results.  

Financial Results

Income from continuing operations decreased to $.29 per share, diluted, or $5,009,000, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $.33 per share, diluted, or $5,896,000, for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

On March 31, 2016, IHC completed the sale of IHC Risk Solutions LLC (“Risk Solutions”), exited the medical stop-loss business and realized an after tax gain of approximately $99,793,000, net of noncontrolling interest.  In addition, under the purchase and sale agreement, all of IHC’s in-force medical stop-loss business produced by Risk Solutions was 100% co-insured as of January 1, 2016 and will be run out in 2017 as evidenced by the decrease in income from the stop-loss segment in the first quarter of 2017.  Net income attributable to IHC of $4,936,000, or $.29 per share diluted, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased from $106,010,000, or $6.08 per share diluted, in the same period of 2016 primarily due to the gain on sale of Risk Solutions.

The Company reported revenues of $71,840,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2016 of $75,895,000.  Revenues decreased primarily due to a reduction in premiums from the 100% co-insurance of the Company’s stop-loss business produced by Risk Solutions.  

Chief Executive Officer’s Comments

Roy T. K. Thung, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are pleased with our first quarter results, particularly when considering that the first quarter of 2016 included $7.0 million more in earnings from the medical stop-loss segment than did the comparable quarter in 2017, which was largely offset by increased earnings from the specialty health segment, an increase in corporate investment income on the proceeds from the sale of Risk Solutions, and cost cutting and certain other expense reductions. As a result of the sale of Risk Solutions and exiting the medical stop-loss segment, we have an abundance of capital. We have redeployed a relatively small amount of this capital to improve our specialty health infrastructure, acquire equity stakes in several companies that distribute our products as well as PetPartners, Inc., a pet insurance administrator. We have also become an attractive developer of specialty health products for other insurance companies, and two of the largest health insurers in the United States are now distributing a significant amount of our products. For all these reasons, we believe that we will write significantly more premiums in this segment in 2018.  We believe we are very well positioned regardless of the outcome of the ongoing debate over health insurance.”

 

Mr. Thung continued, “As recently announced, we have commenced a tender offer to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of our common stock at a price per share of $20.00, which ends on June 26, 2017, unless extended, and  separately bought back 724,769 shares in the




first quarter of 2017 at a cost of $14.4 million. Our parent company’s balance sheet is very strong, we have no debt, and we still have over $160 million in cash and undeployed capital prior to giving effect to the tender offer.  Our overall investment portfolio continues to be very highly rated (on average, AA) and has a duration of approximately five years. Our book value increased to $26.24 per share at March 31, 2017 from $25.53 per share at December 31, 2016.”  

 

THIS PRESS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO BUY OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL SHARES OF INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY COMMON STOCK. THE TENDER OFFER FOR SHARES OF INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY COMMON STOCK DESCRIBED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE IS BEING MADE ONLY PURSUANT TO AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND RELATED MATERIALS THAT IHC DISTRIBUTED TO ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE “SEC”) ON MAY 26, 2017. STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND RELATED MATERIALS BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE VARIOUS TERMS OF, AND CONDITIONS TO, THE TENDER OFFER. STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS MAY OBTAIN A FREE COPY OF THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE TO, THE OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT IHC FILED WITH THE SEC AT THE SEC’S WEBSITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV OR BY CALLING D.F. KING & CO., INC., THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE TENDER OFFER, AT (212) 269-5550 (FOR BANKS AND BROKERS) OR (800) 967-7574 (FOR ALL OTHERS). STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THESE MATERIALS PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER.

About The IHC Group

Independence Holding Company (NYSE:IHC) is a holding company that is principally engaged in underwriting, administering and/or distributing group and individual specialty benefit products, including disability, supplemental health, pet, and group life insurance through its subsidiaries since 1980.  The IHC Group owns three insurance companies (Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York, Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. and Independence American Insurance Company), and IHC Specialty Benefits, Inc., a technology-driven insurance sales and marketing company that creates value for insurance producers, carriers and consumers (both individuals and small businesses) through a suite of proprietary tools and products (including ACA plans and small group medical stop-loss).  All products are placed with highly rated carriers.

 

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements and information contained in this release may be considered “forward-looking statements,” such as statements relating to management's views with respect to future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the markets in which IHC operates, new federal or state governmental regulation, IHC’s ability to effectively operate, integrate and leverage any past or future strategic acquisition, and other factors which can be found in IHC’s other news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. IHC expressly disclaims any duty to update its forward-looking statements unless required by applicable law.




INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

March 31, 2017

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2017

 

2016

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$

62,941  

$

62,562  

Net investment income

 

3,911  

 

4,436  

Fee income

 

3,225  

 

5,079  

Other income

 

1,591  

 

3,258  

Net realized investment gains

 

172  

 

560  

 

 

71,840  

 

75,895  

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

Insurance benefits, claims and reserves

 

32,211  

 

30,743  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

32,082  

 

35,227  

Interest expense on debt

 

 

 

453  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

64,293  

 

66,423  

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

7,547  

 

9,472  

Income taxes

 

2,538  

 

3,576  

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

 

5,009  

 

5,896  

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations, before income taxes

 

 

 

117,636  

 

Income taxes on discontinued operations

 

 

 

7,866  

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

109,770  

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

5,009  

 

115,666  

Less: Income from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries

 

(73) 

 

(9,656) 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC

$

4,936  

$

106,010  

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income per common share

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

.30  

$

.34  

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

5.81  

 

Basic income per common share

$

.30  

$

6.15  

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

16,701  

 

17,243  

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income per common share

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

.29  

$

.33  

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

5.75  

 

Diluted income per common share

$

.29  

$

6.08  

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

16,978  

 

17,449  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 15, 2017, there were 16,377,756 common shares outstanding, net of treasury shares.




INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands, Except Share Data)

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

$

804  

 

$

6,912  

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

 

18,221  

 

 

28,962  

 

Trading securities

 

 

567  

 

 

592  

 

Fixed maturities, available-for-sale

 

 

415,712  

 

 

449,487  

 

Equity securities, available-for-sale

 

 

5,360  

 

 

5,333  

 

Other investments

 

 

23,060  

 

 

23,534  

 

Total investments

 

 

463,724  

 

 

514,820  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

51,160  

 

 

22,010  

 

Due and unpaid premiums

 

 

25,422  

 

 

42,896  

 

Due from reinsurers

 

 

409,806  

 

 

440,285  

 

Premium and claim funds

 

 

8,735  

 

 

17,952  

 

Goodwill

 

 

50,691  

 

 

41,573  

 

Other assets

 

 

55,728  

 

 

54,928  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,065,266  

 

$

1,134,464  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy benefits and claims

 

$

182,292  

 

$

219,113  

 

Future policy benefits

 

 

219,105  

 

 

219,450  

 

Funds on deposit

 

 

146,723  

 

 

145,749  

 

Unearned premiums

 

 

10,663  

 

 

9,786  

 

Other policyholders' funds

 

 

9,781  

 

 

9,769  

 

Due to reinsurers

 

 

10,789  

 

 

35,796  

 

Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities

 

 

51,420  

 

 

55,477  

 

Liabilities attributable to discontinued operations

 

 

38  

 

 

68  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

 

630,811  

 

 

695,208  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

2,008  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock (none issued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

18,620  

 

 

18,620  

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

126,534  

 

 

126,468  

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(4,443) 

 

 

(6,964) 

 

Treasury stock, at cost

 

 

(31,885) 

 

 

(17,483) 

 

Retained earnings

 

 

320,854  

 

 

315,918  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL IHC STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

429,680  

 

 

436,559  

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

2,767  

 

 

2,697  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY

 

 

432,447  

 

 

439,256  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

$

1,065,266  

 

$

1,134,464