DES MOINES, Iowa, May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fidelity & Guaranty Life (NYSE: FGL), a leading provider of annuities and life insurance, today announced financial results for the fiscal second quarter of 2017.


    --  Reported net income was $22 million or $0.38 per diluted share for the
        second quarter
    --  Adjusted operating income was $36 million or $0.62 per diluted share for
        the second quarter
    --  Total annuity sales were $732 million; including fixed indexed annuity
        ("FIA") sales of $438 million, up 5% over prior year
    --  Indexed universal life ("IUL") sales increased 27% over prior year to
        $14 million
    --  Average assets under management increased to $20.0 billion, up 9% over
        prior year

Net income for the fiscal second quarter of 2017 ended on March 31, 2017((1) )was $22 million or $0.38 per diluted common share. Adjusted operating income for the fiscal second quarter of 2017 was $36 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to adjusted operating income of $43 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, in the prior year period.

The table below reconciles reported after-tax net income to adjusted operating income ("AOI").



    (In millions)                    Three months ended
                                          March 31,

                                         (Unaudited)

    Reconciliation
     from Net
     Income to
     AOI(2):                         2017               2016          Increase
                                                                   (decrease)
                                                                   ---------

    Net income                                $22                               $9        $13

    Effect of
     investment
     losses
     (gains), net
     of offsets                        15                      (5)                   20

    Effect of
     change in FIA
     embedded
     derivative
     discount
     rate, net of
     offsets                          (2)                      43                  (45)

    Effect of
     change in
     fair value of
     reinsurance
     related
     embedded
     derivative,
     net of
     offsets                            8                       14                   (6)

    Tax impact of
     adjusting
     items                            (7)                    (18)                   11

    Adjusted
     operating
     income                                   $36                              $43       $(7)
                                              ===                              ===        ===

    See footnotes at end of release.

The current quarter included net unfavorable items of $3 million or $0.05 per diluted share. The prior year quarter included net favorable items of $10 million or $0.17 per diluted share. The table below details notable items in both periods.




     Current Year
     Fiscal Quarter

     - Net unfavorable adjustments
                          related to higher deferred
                          acquisition cost ("DAC")
                          amortization, primarily due to
                          equity market fluctuations        ($3) million

                          - Higher expense related to
                          merger transaction costs & legacy
                          incentive compensation plans      ($3) million

     - Favorable actual to expected
                          mortality within single premium
                          immediate annuity ("SPIA")
                          product line and other annuity
                          reserve movements                          $3 million

     Prior Year Fiscal
     Quarter

                          - Favorable performance within
                          SPIA product line                          $5 million

                          - Net favorable adjustments
                          related to lower DAC
                          amortization, primarily due to
                          equity market fluctuations                 $6 million

                          - Higher expense related to
                          merger transaction costs          ($1) million

"Our business momentum continues and we delivered another strong quarter with year-over-year increases in sales, net income, net investment income and assets under management," said Chris Littlefield, President and CEO of FGL. "We are continuing to explore and negotiate strategic alternatives with other parties in light of our termination of the merger agreement with Anbang and are working to maximize value for our shareholders."



    Summary Financial Results (Unaudited)


                                             Three months ended March 31,    Six months ended March 31,

    (In millions, except per share data)       2017                     2016    2017                    2016
    -----------------------------------        ----                     ----    ----                    ----

    Fixed indexed annuity sales (2)                       $438                                        $418      $989     $855

    Total annuity sales (2)                               $732                                        $601    $1,380   $1,090

    Average assets under management (2)                $20,162                                     $18,465   $19,963  $18,349

    Net investment spread - FIA (2)           3.05%                          2.93%                  3.03%    2.94%

    Net investment spread - All products (2)  2.41%                          2.27%                  2.35%    2.21%

    Net income                                             $22                                          $9      $130      $57

    Net income per diluted share                         $0.38                                       $0.16     $2.23    $0.98

    Adjusted operating income ("AOI") (2)                  $36                                         $43       $77      $74

    AOI per diluted share (2)                            $0.62                                       $0.73     $1.32    $1.26

    Weighted average basic shares              58.3                            58.3                    58.3      58.3

    Weighted average diluted shares            58.4                            58.6                    58.4      58.6

    Total common shares outstanding            59.0                            59.0                    59.0      59.0

    Book value per share                                $32.34                                      $25.63    $32.34   $25.63

    Book value per share, excluding AOCI (2)            $27.41                                      $24.90    $27.41   $24.90
    ---------------------------------------             ------                                      ------    ------   ------

    See footnotes below.

Sales In Line With Expectations

Sales of our core fixed indexed annuity product were $438 million in the current period, an increase of 5% over the prior year quarter. We continue to maintain a disciplined approach to achieve new business profitability and capital targets. FIA sales levels in recent quarters reflect continued strong and productive partnerships with our independent marketing organizations ("IMO's").

Sales of multi-year guarantee annuities ("MYGA") were $158 million in the current quarter as compared to $183 million in the same period last year. During the quarter, we entered into a $136 million funding agreement with Federal Home Loan Bank, under an investment spread strategy. This funding agreement is reflected as an institutional spread based product and we view this volume as subject to fluctuation period to period. Total annuity sales were $732 million for the current quarter, an increase of 22% over the prior year quarter.

Indexed universal life sales in the quarter were $14 million, an increase of 27% compared to $11 million last year. This increase reflects FGL's efforts to grow our IUL business with expanded distribution.

Investment Portfolio Performance

Overall, the investment portfolio is performing in line with expectations. Net investment income in the current period was $247 million, an increase of 9% compared to $227 million for the same period last year. This growth was right in line with the increase in average assets under management ("AAUM"), which were up $1.6 billion or 9% over the prior year from sales and stable policy owner retention trends.

The average earned yield on the total portfolio in the quarter was 4.90%, consistent with 4.91% in the prior year quarter. Asset purchases during the quarter were $0.9 billion at an average yield of 5.22%. Asset purchases during the current quarter were primarily in investment grade corporate bonds, structured securities, and also included a modest allocation to private credit strategies with a focus on current income, which helped lift the overall new money rate. The average NAIC rating for the portfolio remains approximately 1.5.

Net investment spread across all product lines increased 14 basis points to 241 basis points, compared to fiscal second quarter 2016. Net investment spread in the current quarter for fixed indexed annuities was consistent with recent performance at 305 basis points.

The current period results included $21 million of impairments, before DAC amortization and taxes, $20 million of which was related to a single investment in a bank holding company that was placed into receivership by the FDIC. The impact to net income was $11 million, after DAC amortization and taxes.

Capital Management Trends


    --  GAAP book value per share at March 31, 2017 was $32.34 on a reported
        basis; book value per share excluding accumulated other comprehensive
        income ("AOCI") was $27.41, an increase of 10% year over year.
    --  During the quarter, the Company drew down $5 million of its unsecured
        revolving credit facility. The remaining amount available under the
        revolving credit facility is $45 million.
    --  As announced on May 1, 2017, the FGL Board of Directors has declared a
        quarterly dividend of $0.065 per share. The dividend is payable on June
        5, 2017 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 22,
        2017.



                                       FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                         CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                           (In millions, except share data)


                                                   March 31,                  September 30,
                                                          2017                          2016
                                                          ----                          ----

                                                  (Unaudited)

                             ASSETS

    Investments:

    Fixed
     maturity                                      31, 2017
     securities,                                   -
     available-                                    $19,501;
     for-                                          September
     sale, at                                      30, 2016
     fair                                          -
     value                                         $18,521)
     (amortized
     cost:
     March                                                          $20,052                           $19,411

    Equity
     securities,                                   - $682;
     available-                                    September
     for-                                          30, 2016
     sale, at                                      - $640)
     fair
     value
     (amortized
     cost:
     March
     31, 2017                                              712                                  683

     Derivative
     investments                                           351                                  276

     Commercial
     mortgage
     loans                                                 579                                  595

    Other
     invested
     assets                                                119                                   60
                                                           ---                                  ---

    Total
     investments                                        21,813                               21,025
                                                        ------                               ------

    Related
     party
     loans                                                  71                                   71

    Cash and
     cash
     equivalents                                           887                                  864

    Accrued
     investment
     income                                                225                                  214

     Reinsurance
     recoverable                                         3,426                                3,464

     Intangibles,
     net                                                 1,184                                1,026

    Deferred
     tax
     assets,
     net                                                    87                                    -

    Other
     assets                                                204                                  371

    Total
     assets                                                         $27,897                           $27,035
                                                                    =======                           =======


                         LIABILITIES AND
                       SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


     Contractholder
     funds                                                          $20,052                           $19,251

    Future
     policy
     benefits                                            3,435                                3,467

    Funds
     withheld
     for
     reinsurance
     liabilities                                         1,134                                1,172

    Liability
     for
     policy
     and
     contract
     claims                                                 60                                   55

    Debt                                                   300                                  300

    Revolving
     credit
     facility                                              105                                  100

    Deferred
     tax
     liability,
     net                                                     -                                  10

    Other
     liabilities                                           903                                  746


    Total
     liabilities                                        25,989                               25,101
                                                        ------                               ------


    Commitments and
     contingencies


    Shareholders' equity:

    Preferred
     stock                                         September
     ($.01 par                                     30, 2016)
     value,
     50,000,000
     shares
     authorized,
     no shares
     issued at
     March 31,
     2017 and                                                $            -                         $      -

    Common
     stock                                         outstanding    September
     ($.01                                         at March       30,
     par                                           31,             2016)
     value,                                        2017;
     500,000,000                                   58,956,127
     shares                                        shares
     authorized,                                   issued
     58,991,806                                    and
     issued                                        outstanding
     and                                                     1                                    1

     Additional
     paid-in
     capital                                               715                                  714

    Retained
     earnings                                              914                                  792

     Accumulated
     other
     comprehensive
     income                                                291                                  439

    Treasury
     stock,                                        September
     at cost                                       30,
     (568,847                                      2016)
     shares
     at March
     31,
     2017;
     537,613
     shares
     at                                                   (13)                                (12)

    Total
     shareholders'
     equity                                              1,908                                1,934

    Total
     liabilities
     and
     shareholders'
     equity                                                         $27,897                           $27,035
                                                                    =======                           =======



                                                                       FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                                                          (In millions, except per share data)


                                          Three months ended                              Six months ended

                                   March 31,              March 31,               March 31,              March 31,
                                         2017                   2016                      2017                   2016
                                         ----                   ----                      ----                   ----

                                            (Unaudited)                                (Unaudited)

    Revenues:

    Premiums                                         $3                                             $16                  $14     $31

    Net investment
     income                               247                                227                                 487      449

    Net investment
     gains (losses)                        81                               (42)                                132       21

    Insurance and
     investment
     product fees
     and other                             44                                 32                                  82       61

    Total revenues                        375                                233                                 715      562
                                          ---                                ---                                 ---      ---

    Benefits and expenses:

    Benefits and
     other changes
     in policy
     reserves                             268                                188                                 288      369

    Acquisition and
     operating
     expenses, net
     of deferrals                          33                                 27                                  61       55

    Amortization of
     intangibles                           33                                (3)                                156       38
                                          ---                                ---                                 ---      ---

            Total benefits
             and expenses                 334                                212                                 505      462
                                          ---                                ---                                 ---      ---

    Operating income                       41                                 21                                 210      100

    Interest expense                      (6)                               (6)                               (12)    (12)

    Income before
     income taxes                          35                                 15                                 198       88

    Income tax
     expense                             (13)                               (6)                               (68)    (31)

            Net income                              $22                                              $9                 $130     $57
                                                    ===                                             ===                 ====     ===


    Net income per common share:


    Basic                                         $0.38                                           $0.16                $2.23   $0.98

    Diluted                                       $0.38                                           $0.16                $2.23   $0.98

    Weighted average common shares
     used in computing net income
     per common share:

    Basic                                58.3                               58.3                                58.3     58.3

    Diluted                              58.4                               58.6                                58.4     58.6


    Cash dividend
     per common
     share                                       $0.065                                          $0.065               $0.130  $0.130
    -------------                                ------                                          ------               ------  ------



                           RECONCILIATION OF BOOK VALUE PER SHARE EXCLUDING AOCI


    (In millions,                                                     September 30,
     except  per share                                                     2016
     data)                                March 31, 2017
                                          --------------             --------------

    Reconciliation to total
     shareholder's equity:

    Total shareholder's
     equity                                                 $1,908                             $1,934

         Less: AOCI                                  291                                   439
                                                     ---                                   ---

    Total shareholder's
     equity excluding
     AOCI                                                   $1,617                             $1,495
                                                            ======                             ======


    Total shares
     outstanding                                    59.0                                  59.0

    Weighted average
     shares outstanding
     -basic                                         58.3                                  58.3

    Weighted average
     shares outstanding
     -diluted                                       58.4                                  58.6


    Book value per
     share                                                  $32.34                             $32.80

    Book value per
     share, excluding
     AOCI(2)                                                $27.41                             $25.36


    Footnotes:

    (1)     Fidelity & Guaranty Life's fiscal year ends on September 30.

    (2)     Non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Measures section below for additional
     information.

Update On Review Of Strategic Alternatives

On April 17, 2017, FGL announced the termination of the merger agreement with Anbang Insurance Group Co., Ltd. ("Anbang"). In addition, FGL announced that its Board of Directors was continuing to evaluate strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value and had received interest from a number of parties. FGL does not intend to disclose developments with respect to its process for the evaluation of the strategic alternatives until such time that it determines otherwise in its sole discretion or as required by applicable law. There can be no assurance that FGL's evaluation of strategic alternatives will result in a transaction, or that any transaction, if pursued, will be consummated. FGL's evaluation of strategic alternatives may be terminated at any time with or without notice.

Non-GAAP Measures

Management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures may be useful in certain instances to provide additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. Reconciliations of such measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are included herein.

AOI is calculated by adjusting net income to eliminate (i) the impact of net investment gains including other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses recognized in operations, but excluding gains and losses on derivatives hedging our indexed annuity policies, (ii) the effect of changes in the interest rates used to discount the FIA embedded derivative liability, and (iii) the effect of change in fair value of the reinsurance related embedded derivative. All adjustments to AOI are net of the corresponding value of business acquired ("VOBA") and DAC impact. The income tax impact related to these adjustments is measured using an effective tax rate of 35%, as appropriate.

While these adjustments are an integral part of the overall performance of FGL, market conditions impacting these items can overshadow the underlying performance of the business. Accordingly, we believe using a measure which excludes their impact is effective in analyzing the trends of our operations. Our non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other organizations because other organizations may not calculate such non-GAAP measures in the same manner as we do.

Net investment spread is the excess of net investment income earned over the sum of interest credited to policyholders and the cost of hedging our risk on FIA policies.

Average assets under management ("AAUM") is the sum of (i) total invested assets at amortized cost, excluding derivatives, (ii) related party loans and investments and (iii) cash and cash equivalents at the end of each month in the period divided by the number of months in the period.

Book value per share excluding AOCI is calculated as total stockholders' equity excluding AOCI divided by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding.

Sales are not derived from any specific GAAP income statement accounts or line items and should not be viewed as a substitute for any financial measure determined in accordance with GAAP. For GAAP purposes annuity sales are recorded as deposit liabilities (i.e. contract holder funds). Management believes that presentation of sales as measured for management purposes enhances the understanding of our business and helps depict longer term trends that may not be apparent in the results of operations due to the timing of sales and revenue recognition.

While management believes that non-GAAP measurements are useful supplemental information, such adjusted results are not intended to replace GAAP financial results and should be read in conjunction with those GAAP results.

Conference Call and Earnings Release

In light of the ongoing review of strategic alternatives, FGL has elected to discontinue conference calls to discuss quarterly and annual results, pending the outcome of the strategic review. FGL will continue to issue its earnings press releases and quarterly financial supplement.

About Fidelity & Guaranty Life

Fidelity & Guaranty Life, an insurance holding company, helps middle-income Americans prepare for retirement. Through its subsidiaries, the company offers fixed annuity and life insurance products distributed by independent agents through an established network of independent marketing organizations. Fidelity & Guaranty Life, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol FGL. For more information, please visit www.fglife.com.

Forward Looking Statements

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This document contains, and certain oral statements made by our representatives from time to time may contain, forward-looking statements, including as to FGL's evaluation of strategic alternatives and regarding our subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such statements. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of FGL's management and the management of FGL's subsidiaries (including target businesses). Generally, forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future distributions from subsidiaries, other actions, events, results, strategies and expectations and are generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "plans," "seeks," "estimates," "projects," "may," "will," "could," "might," or "continues" or similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ include, without limitation: the accuracy of FGL's assumptions and estimates; FGL's and its insurance subsidiaries' ability to maintain or improve financial strength ratings; FGL's ability to manage its business in a highly regulated industry; regulatory changes or actions; the impact of FGL's reinsurers failing to meet their assumed obligations; restrictions on FGL's ability to use captive reinsurers; the impact of interest rate fluctuations; changes in the federal income tax laws and regulations; litigation (including class action litigation), enforcement investigations or regulatory scrutiny; the performance of third parties; the loss of key personnel; telecommunication, information technology and other operational systems failures; the continued availability of capital; new accounting rules or changes to existing accounting rules; general economic conditions; FGL's ability to protect its intellectual property; the ability to maintain or obtain approval of the Iowa Insurance Department and other regulatory authorities as required for FGL's operations; possible risks and uncertainties arising from FGL's evaluation of strategic alternatives; and other factors discussed in FGL's filings with the SEC including its Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016, and its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, which can be found at the SEC's website www.sec.gov.

All forward-looking statements described herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized. FGL does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operation results, except as required by law.

Investor Contact:
Lisa Foxworthy-Parker
Fidelity & Guaranty Life
Investor.Relations@fglife.com
515-330-3307

Media Contact:
Sard Verbinnen & Co
Jamie Tully or David Millar, 212-687-8080

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SOURCE Fidelity & Guaranty Life