HAMILTON, Bermuda, July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: PTP) today reported net income of $36.2 million and diluted earnings per common share of $1.34 for the quarter ended June 30, 2014.

The results for the quarter include net premiums earned of $124.8 million, net favorable development of $28.6 million and net investment income of $17.6 million.

Michael D. Price, Platinum's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our results reflect favorable prior period development, strong investment results on a total return basis, no losses from major catastrophes and active capital management. Our book value per common share grew to $67.38 as of June 30, 2014, an increase of 3.1% from March 31, 2014."

Mr. Price added, "Absent major events in the insurance or capital markets, we expect continued downward pressure on overall reinsurance rate adequacy. We will continue emphasizing profitability over market share while seeking to maintain a position in larger markets by participating on the most attractive business available."

Results for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 are summarized as follows:


    --  Net income was $36.2 million and diluted earnings per common share were
        $1.34.
    --  Gross premiums written were $122.9 million and net premiums written were
        $120.3 million.
    --  Net premiums earned were $124.8 million.
    --  Combined ratio was 74.2%.
    --  Net investment income was $17.6 million.
    --  Net realized losses on investments were $0.6 million.

Results for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 as compared with the quarter ended June 30, 2013 are summarized as follows:


    --  Net income was $36.2 million compared with net income of $49.9 million.
    --  Gross premiums written decreased $25.1 million (or 17.0%) and net
        premiums written decreased $26.0 million (or 17.8%).
    --  Net premiums earned decreased $18.1 million (or 12.7%).
    --  Combined ratio decreased 0.2 percentage points.
    --  Net investment income decreased $0.2 million (or 0.9%).
    --  Net realized losses on investments were $0.6 million compared with net
        realized gains on investments of $11.7 million.

Net premiums written for Platinum's Property and Marine, Casualty and Finite Risk segments for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 were $58.5 million, $54.8 million and $7.0 million, respectively, representing 48.6%, 45.5% and 5.9%, respectively, of total net premiums written. Combined ratios for these segments were 89.5%, 59.2% and 84.4%, respectively. Compared with the quarter ended June 30, 2013, net premiums written increased $1.2 million (or 2.0%) in the Property and Marine segment and decreased $24.9 million (or 31.2%) and $2.3 million (or 24.7%) in the Casualty and Finite Risk segments, respectively.

Results for the six months ended June 30, 2014 are summarized as follows:


    --  Net income was $99.9 million and diluted earnings per common share were
        $3.63.
    --  Gross premiums written were $261.2 million and net premiums written were
        $256.1 million.
    --  Net premiums earned were $251.1 million.
    --  Combined ratio was 63.5%.
    --  Net investment income was $35.3 million.
    --  Net realized losses on investments were $1.1 million.

Results for the six months ended June 30, 2014 as compared with the six months ended June 30, 2013 are summarized as follows:


    --  Net income was $99.9 million compared with net income of $136.4 million.
    --  Gross premiums written decreased by $22.0 million (or 7.8%) and net
        premiums written decreased $25.0 million (or 8.9%).
    --  Net premiums earned decreased $18.7 million (or 6.9%).
    --  Combined ratio increased 2.8 percentage points.
    --  Net investment income decreased $1.0 million (or 2.8%).
    --  Net realized losses on investments were $1.1 million compared with net
        realized gains on investments of $25.0 million.

Net premiums written for Platinum's Property and Marine, Casualty and Finite Risk segments for the six months ended June 30, 2014 were $116.3 million, $126.5 million and $13.4 million, respectively, representing 45.4%, 49.4% and 5.2%, respectively, of total net premiums written. Combined ratios for these segments were 66.8%, 56.8% and 96.4%, respectively. Compared with the six months ended June 30, 2013, net premiums written decreased $0.5 million (or 0.4%), $24.1 million (or 16.0%) and $0.4 million (or 3.1%) in the Property and Marine, Casualty and Finite Risk segments, respectively.

Total assets were $3.8 billion as of June 30, 2014, a decrease of $60.6 million (or 1.6%) from March 31, 2014 and a decrease of $99.2 million (or 2.5%) from December 31, 2013. Investable assets, consisting of investments, cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net balances due from brokers, were $3.5 billion as of June 30, 2014, a decrease of $14.9 million (or 0.4%) from March 31, 2014 and a decrease of $62.3 million (or 1.8%) from December 31, 2013.

Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments, net of deferred taxes, were $91.4 million as of June 30, 2014, an increase of $16.8 million from March 31, 2014 and an increase of $43.3 million from December 31, 2013.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 556,092 common shares for $35.0 million at a weighted average cost, including commissions, of $62.95 per share. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 1,854,096 common shares for $110.8 million at a weighted average cost, including commissions, of $59.74 per share.

Shareholders' equity was $1.8 billion as of June 30, 2014, an increase of $17.9 million (or 1.0%) from March 31, 2014 and an increase of $31.2 million (or 1.8%) from December 31, 2013. Book value per common share was $67.38 as of June 30, 2014 based on 26.4 million common shares outstanding, an increase of $2.03 (or 3.1%) from $65.35 as of March 31, 2014 based on 26.9 million common shares outstanding and an increase of $5.31 (or 8.6%) from $62.07 as of December 31, 2013 based on 28.1 million common shares outstanding.

Financial Supplement
Platinum has posted a financial supplement on the Financial Reports page of the Investor Relations section of its website (Financial Supplement). The Financial Supplement provides additional detail regarding the financial performance of Platinum and its business segments.

Teleconference
Platinum will host a teleconference to discuss its financial results on Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time. The call may be accessed by dialing 888-239-5289 (US and Canadian callers) or 913-312-0843 (international callers) or in a listen-only mode via the Investor Relations section of Platinum's website at www.platinumre.com. Those who intend to participate in the teleconference should register at least ten minutes in advance to ensure access to the call. Please specify passcode 5668803.

The teleconference will be recorded and a replay will be available from 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, July 17, 2014 until 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, July 24, 2014. To access the replay by telephone, dial 888-203-1112 (US and Canadian callers) or 719-457-0820 (international callers) and specify passcode 5668803. The teleconference will also be archived on the Investor Relations section of Platinum's website at www.platinumre.com for the same period of time.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In presenting the Company's results, management has included certain financial measures that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Such measures, including underwriting income or loss, related underwriting ratios and book value per common share, are referred to as non-GAAP. These non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. Management believes these measures allow for a more complete understanding of the underlying business. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of such measures to the most comparable GAAP figures are included in the attached financial information in accordance with Regulation G.

About Platinum
Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: PTP) is a leading provider of property, casualty and finite risk reinsurance coverages, through reinsurance brokers, to a diverse clientele on a worldwide basis. Platinum operates through its principal subsidiaries in Bermuda and the United States. For further information, please visit Platinum's website at www.platinumre.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are based on our current plans or expectations that are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. In particular, statements using words such as "may", "should", "estimate", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "believe", "predict", "potential", or words of similar import generally involve forward-looking statements. The inclusion of forward-looking statements in this press release should not be considered as a representation by us or any other person that our current plans or expectations will be achieved. Numerous factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the occurrence of severe catastrophic events; the effectiveness of our loss limitation methods and pricing models; the adequacy of our ceding companies' ability to assess the risks they underwrite; the adequacy of our estimated liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses; the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues on our business; our ability to maintain our A.M. Best and S&P financial strength ratings; our ability to raise capital on acceptable terms if necessary; our exposure to credit loss from counterparties in the normal course of business; the availability and cost of collateral arrangements in order to provide reinsurance; the effect on our business of the cyclicality of the property and casualty reinsurance business; the effect on our business of the highly competitive nature of the property and casualty reinsurance industry, including the effect of new entrants to the industry; losses that we could face from terrorism, political unrest and war; our dependence on the business provided to us by reinsurance brokers and our exposure to credit risk associated with our brokers during the premium and loss settlement process; the availability of retrocessional reinsurance on acceptable terms; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; our ability to maintain and enhance effective operating procedures and internal controls over financial reporting; our need to make many estimates and judgments in the preparation of our financial statements; the limitations placed on our financial and operational flexibility by the representations, warranties and covenants in our debt and credit facilities; our ability to retain key executives and attract and retain additional qualified personnel in the future; the effect of technology breaches or failures on our business; the performance of our investment portfolio; the effects of changes in market interest rates on our investment portfolio; the concentration of our investment portfolio in any particular industry, asset class or geographic region; the effects that the imposition of U.S. corporate income tax would have on Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and its non-U.S. subsidiaries; the risk that U.S. persons who hold our shares will be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences under certain circumstances; the risk that U.S. persons who dispose of our shares may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation at the rates applicable to dividends on all or a portion of their gains, if any; the risk that holders of 10% or more of our shares may be subject to U.S. income taxation under the "controlled foreign corporation" rules; the effect of changes in U.S. federal income tax law on an investment in our shares; the possibility that we may become subject to taxes in Bermuda; the effect of income, premium or other taxes on Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. or its subsidiaries by other jurisdictions; the effect on our business of potential changes in the regulatory system under which we operate; the impact of regulatory regimes and changes to accounting rules on our financial results, irrespective of business operations; the uncertain impact on our business of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010; the non-compliance with laws, regulations and taxation on transactions with international counter-parties; the dependence of the cash flows of Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd., a holding company, on dividends, interest and other permissible payments from its subsidiaries to meet its obligations; the risk that our shareholders may have greater difficulty in protecting their interests than would shareholders of a U.S. corporation; and limitations on the ownership, transfer and voting rights of our common shares. As a consequence, our future financial condition and results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Additionally, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to revise or update forward-looking statements to reflect new information or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of future events. For a detailed discussion of our risk factors, refer to Item 1A, "Risk Factors", in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.




    Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

    As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

    ($ and amounts in thousands, except per share data)


                                                               (unaudited)

                                                                 June 30,                          December 31,

                                                                               2014                                2013
                                                                               ----                                ----

    Assets

    Investments:

    Fixed maturity securities                                            $2,025,418                          $1,961,265

    Short-term investments                                                   42,144                              66,679

    Cash and cash equivalents                                             1,361,730                           1,464,418

    Accrued investment income                                                20,593                              20,026

    Reinsurance premiums receivable                                         134,391                             138,454

    Reinsurance balances (prepaid
     and recoverable)                                                         4,438                               2,089

    Funds held by ceding companies                                           88,091                             119,241

    Deferred acquisition costs                                               33,019                              31,103

    Reinsurance deposit assets                                               82,164                              79,303

    Other assets                                                             32,728                              41,307

    Total assets                                                         $3,824,716                          $3,923,885
                                                                         ==========                          ==========


    Liabilities

    Unpaid losses and loss
     adjustment expenses                                                 $1,560,517                          $1,671,365

    Unearned premiums                                                       133,244                             126,300

    Debt obligations                                                        250,000                             250,000

    Commissions payable                                                      51,497                              78,791

    Other liabilities                                                        51,589                              50,722
                                                                             ------                              ------

    Total liabilities                                                    $2,046,847                          $2,177,178
                                                                         ----------                          ----------


    Shareholders' Equity

    Common shares                                                              $264                                $281

    Additional paid-in capital                                                    -                             10,711

    Accumulated other comprehensive
     income                                                                  91,351                              48,084

    Retained earnings                                                     1,686,254                           1,687,631
                                                                          ---------                           ---------

    Total shareholders' equity                                           $1,777,869                          $1,746,707
                                                                         ----------                          ----------

    Total liabilities and
     shareholders' equity                                                $3,824,716                          $3,923,885
                                                                         ==========                          ==========


    Book value per common share (1)                                          $67.38                              $62.07
                                                                             ======                              ======


    (1) Book value per common share is a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G and
     is determined by dividing shareholders' equity by common shares outstanding of 26,385 and
     28,143 at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.



    Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)

    For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 and 2013

    ($ and amounts in thousands, except per share data)


                                                             Three Months Ended                        Six Months Ended

                                                                June 30,                              June 30,
                                                                --------                              --------

                                                                   2014                          2013              2014       2013
                                                                   ----                          ----              ----       ----

    Revenue

    Net premiums earned                                        $124,825                      $142,933          $251,098   $269,786

    Net investment income                                        17,645                        17,808            35,337     36,352

    Net realized gains (losses) on
     investments                                                  (596)                       11,686           (1,111)    25,004

    Net impairment losses on
     investments                                                  (136)                      (1,516)            (224)   (1,937)

    Other income (expense)                                        1,194                         (315)            2,711      1,077
                                                                  -----                          ----             -----      -----

    Total revenue                                               142,932                       170,596           287,811    330,282
                                                                -------                       -------           -------    -------


    Expenses

    Net losses and loss adjustment
     expenses                                                    50,865                        62,667            77,374     76,665

    Net acquisition expenses                                     27,848                        30,313            55,349     60,532

    Operating expenses                                           21,434                        19,718            39,717     39,023

    Net foreign currency exchange
     losses (gains)                                                  34                         (859)            (153)   (1,079)

    Interest expense                                              4,788                         4,780             9,574      9,559
                                                                  -----                         -----             -----      -----

    Total expenses                                              104,969                       116,619           181,861    184,700
                                                                -------                       -------           -------    -------

    Income before income taxes                                   37,963                        53,977           105,950    145,582

    Income tax expense                                            1,783                         4,123             6,035      9,212
                                                                  -----                         -----             -----      -----

    Net income                                                  $36,180                       $49,854           $99,915   $136,370
                                                                =======                       =======           =======   ========



    Earnings Per Common Share

    Weighted average common shares
     outstanding                                                 26,577                        30,571            27,167     31,467

    Basic earnings per common share                               $1.36                         $1.63             $3.68      $4.32


    Adjusted weighted average common
     shares outstanding                                          26,928                        30,970            27,516     31,904

    Diluted earnings per common share                             $1.34                         $1.61             $3.63      $4.26


    Comprehensive income (loss)

    Net income                                                  $36,180                       $49,854           $99,915   $136,370

    Other comprehensive income (loss)                            16,792                      (66,736)           43,267   (73,323)
                                                                 ------                       -------            ------    -------

    Comprehensive income (loss)                                 $52,972                     $(16,882)         $143,182    $63,047
                                                                =======                      ========          ========    =======



    Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

    Segment Reporting (Unaudited)

    For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 and 2013

    ($ in thousands)


                                                        Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
                                                      --------------------------------

                                                        Property and Marine              Casualty         Finite Risk          Total
                                                        -------------------              --------         -----------          -----

    Net premiums written                                                    $58,518               $54,806               $7,013           $120,337
                                                                            -------               -------               ------           --------


    Net premiums earned                                                      55,528                61,555                7,742            124,825

    Net losses and loss
     adjustment expenses                                                     31,400                15,261                4,204             50,865

    Net acquisition expenses                                                 10,229                15,636                1,983             27,848

    Other underwriting expenses                                               8,085                 5,537                  346             13,968


    Segment underwriting income
     (loss)*                                                                 $5,814               $25,121               $1,209             32,144
                                                                             ------               -------               ------


    Net investment income                                                                                                             17,645

    Net realized gains (losses) on investments                                                                                         (596)

    Net impairment losses on investments                                                                                               (136)

    Other income (expense)                                                                                                             1,194

    Corporate expenses not allocated to segments                                                                                     (7,466)

    Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains                                                                                        (34)

    Interest expense                                                                                                                 (4,788)

    Income before income taxes                                                                                                       $37,963
                                                                                                                                     -------


    Underwriting ratios:*

    Net loss and loss
     adjustment expense                                                       56.5%                24.8%               54.3%             40.7%

    Net acquisition expense                                                   18.4%                25.4%               25.6%             22.3%

    Other underwriting expense                                                14.6%                 9.0%                4.5%             11.2%

    Combined                                                                  89.5%                59.2%               84.4%             74.2%
                                                                               ----                  ----                 ----               ----


                                                      Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
                                                      --------------------------------

                                                        Property and Marine              Casualty         Finite Risk          Total
                                                        -------------------              --------         -----------          -----

    Net premiums written                                                    $57,350               $79,711               $9,309           $146,370
                                                                            -------               -------               ------           --------


    Net premiums earned                                                      58,832                75,629                8,472            142,933

    Net losses and loss
     adjustment expenses                                                     21,292                35,358                6,017             62,667

    Net acquisition expenses                                                  9,698                18,068                2,547             30,313

    Other underwriting expenses                                               7,414                 5,670                  327             13,411


    Segment underwriting income
     (loss)*                                                                $20,428               $16,533               $(419)            36,542
                                                                            -------               -------                -----


    Net investment income                                                                                                             17,808

    Net realized gains (losses) on investments                                                                                        11,686

    Net impairment losses on investments                                                                                             (1,516)

    Other income (expense)                                                                                                             (315)

    Corporate expenses not allocated to segments                                                                                     (6,307)

    Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains                                                                                         859

    Interest expense                                                                                                                 (4,780)

    Income before income taxes                                                                                                       $53,977
                                                                                                                                     -------


    Underwriting ratios:*

    Net loss and loss
     adjustment expense                                                       36.2%                46.8%               71.0%             43.8%

    Net acquisition expense                                                   16.5%                23.9%               30.1%             21.2%

    Other underwriting expense                                                12.6%                 7.5%                3.9%              9.4%

    Combined                                                                  65.3%                78.2%              105.0%             74.4%
                                                                               ----                  ----                -----               ----

* Segment underwriting income or loss and related underwriting ratios are non-GAAP financial measures as defined by Regulation G. The underwriting ratios are calculated by dividing each item above by net premiums earned.




    Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

    Segment Reporting (Unaudited)

    For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 and 2013

    ($ in thousands)


                                                      Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
                                                    ------------------------------

                                                     Property and Marine             Casualty          Finite Risk          Total
                                                     -------------------             --------          -----------          -----

    Net premiums written                                                $116,263              $126,480              $13,371            $256,114
                                                                        --------              --------              -------            --------


    Net premiums earned                                                  108,720               127,272               15,106             251,098

    Net losses and loss
     adjustment expenses                                                  37,010                30,221               10,143              77,374

    Net acquisition expenses                                              20,272                31,278                3,799              55,349

    Other underwriting expenses                                           15,455                10,765                  638              26,858
                                                                          ------                ------                  ---              ------

    Segment underwriting income
     (loss)*                                                             $35,983               $55,008                 $526              91,517
                                                                         -------               -------                 ----


    Net investment income                                                                                                           35,337

    Net realized gains (losses) on investments                                                                                     (1,111)

    Net impairment losses on investments                                                                                             (224)

    Other income (expense)                                                                                                           2,711

    Corporate expenses not allocated to segments                                                                                  (12,859)

    Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains                                                                                       153

    Interest expense                                                                                                               (9,574)
                                                                                                                                    ------

    Income before income taxes                                                                                                    $105,950
                                                                                                                                  --------


    Underwriting ratios:*

    Net loss and loss
     adjustment expense                                                    34.0%                23.7%               67.1%              30.8%

    Net acquisition expense                                                18.6%                24.6%               25.1%              22.0%

    Other underwriting expense                                             14.2%                 8.5%                4.2%              10.7%
                                                                            ----                   ---                  ---                ----

    Combined                                                               66.8%                56.8%               96.4%              63.5%
                                                                            ----                  ----                 ----                ----


                                                    Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
                                                    ------------------------------

                                                     Property and Marine             Casualty          Finite Risk          Total
                                                     -------------------             --------          -----------          -----

    Net premiums written                                                $116,777              $150,555              $13,803            $281,135
                                                                        --------              --------              -------            --------


    Net premiums earned                                                  110,684               146,424               12,678             269,786

    Net losses and loss
     adjustment expenses                                                   7,087                65,001                4,577              76,665

    Net acquisition expenses                                              17,925                34,317                8,290              60,532

    Other underwriting expenses                                           14,746                11,393                  660              26,799
                                                                          ------                ------                  ---              ------

    Segment underwriting income
     (loss)*                                                             $70,926               $35,713               $(849)            105,790
                                                                         -------               -------                -----


    Net investment income                                                                                                           36,352

    Net realized gains (losses) on investments                                                                                      25,004

    Net impairment losses on investments                                                                                           (1,937)

    Other income (expense)                                                                                                           1,077

    Corporate expenses not allocated to segments                                                                                  (12,224)

    Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains                                                                                     1,079

    Interest expense                                                                                                               (9,559)
                                                                                                                                    ------

    Income before income taxes                                                                                                    $145,582
                                                                                                                                  --------


    Underwriting ratios:*

    Net loss and loss
     adjustment expense                                                     6.4%                44.4%               36.1%              28.4%

    Net acquisition expense                                                16.2%                23.4%               65.4%              22.4%

    Other underwriting expense                                             13.3%                 7.8%                5.2%               9.9%
                                                                            ----                   ---                  ---                 ---

    Combined                                                               35.9%                75.6%              106.7%              60.7%
                                                                            ----                  ----                -----                ----

* Segment underwriting income or loss and related underwriting ratios are non-GAAP financial measures as defined by Regulation G. The underwriting ratios are calculated by dividing each item above by net premiums earned.

SOURCE Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.