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)  August 11, 2008


INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware

010306

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.


This information set forth under this Item 2.02 is intended to be furnished under this Item 2.02 "Results of Operations and Financial Condition." 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, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.


On August 11, 2008, Independence Holding Company issued a news release announcing 2008 Second-Quarter and Six-Months Results.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibit


(c)  

Exhibit:


Exhibit 99.1

News Release of Independence Holding Company dated August 11, 2008 announcing 2008 Second-Quarter and Six-Months 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)




/s/ Teresa A. Herbert

Teresa A. Herbert

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



Date:



August 11, 2008







 

                                   Exhibit 99.1

 

 

INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

CONTACT: DAVID T. KETTIG

96 CUMMINGS POINT ROAD

(212) 355-4141 Ext. 3047

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06902

www.Independenceholding.com

NYSE: IHC

 



NEWS RELEASE


INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY ANNOUNCES

2008 SECOND-QUARTER AND SIX-MONTHS RESULTS



Stamford, Connecticut, August 11, 2008. Independence Holding Company (NYSE: IHC) today reported 2008 second-quarter and six months results.  This press release contains both GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for which a reconciliation can be found on the final page.

Financial Results


Operating income1 per share decreased slightly to $.20 per share, diluted, or $3,009,000, for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $.22 per share, diluted, or $3,409,000, for the three months ended June 30, 2007.  Operating income per share decreased to $.40 per share, diluted, or $6,093,000, for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $.54 per share, diluted, or $8,277,000, for the six months ended June 30, 2007.  Operating income is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as net income excluding net realized investment gains and losses and income from discontinued operations, both net of applicable taxes.  

Net income (loss) per share decreased to $(.43) per share, diluted, or $(6,693,000), for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $.26 per share, diluted, or $3,929,000, for the three months ended June 30, 2007.  Included in the current quarter’s net loss is a realized loss for other than temporary impairments in preferred stocks of ($11,145,000) or ($.72) per share, diluted, net of tax which (net of gains) yielded a net realized loss of ($9,702,000) or ($.63) per share, diluted, net of tax.  The Company recorded these realized losses during the quarter as a result of the continued turmoil in the credit markets.


Net income (loss) per share decreased to $(.24) per share, diluted, or $(3,621,000), for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $.56 per share, diluted, or $8,531,000, for the six months ended June 30, 2007.  Included in the net loss for the six months is a realized loss for other than temporary impairments in preferred stocks of ($11,197,000) or ($.73) per share, diluted, net of tax which (net of gains) yielded a net realized loss of ($9,714,000) or ($.63) per share, diluted, net of tax.  


Revenues decreased 10% to $89,318,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2008, compared to revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2007 of $99,538,000. Revenues decreased 5% to $193,736,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008, compared to revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2007 of $202,937,000.  The decrease in revenues is primarily the result of the realized losses in 2008.


Chief Executive Officer’s Comments


Roy Thung, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Due to the continued turmoil in the capital markets, Independence Holding Company, like many insurance and other companies in the financial sector,





recognized a loss in the second quarter and six months of 2008 for other than temporary impairments.  These impairments were realized on certain stocks in our equity securities portfolio, which constitute 10% of our total investments.  The majority of these equities are investment-grade nonredeemable preferred stocks issued by well-known financial institutions. Our fixed maturity portfolio continues to be rated on average AA, and the Company considers all unrealized losses in this category to be temporary.  We have no direct investments in sub prime mortgages, CLO’s or CDO’s, although approximately 5% of our fixed maturities are Alt A mortgages, which are rated AAA.  While these mortgages have seen lower quoted market values recently, we believe that the unrealized losses on these securities are not necessarily indicative of their ultimate performance.  As the Company carries all of its assets at market value, this unrealized loss had, to a large extent, been previously recorded in our book value.  Our book value per share decreased slightly to $13.92 at June 30, 2008 from $14.13 per share at March 31, 2008 as operating income was more than offset by changes in the fair value of our fixed maturity portfolio.  Our core lines of business continue to perform well as we maintain underwriting discipline in a very competitive health insurance market.”



Non-GAAP Financial Measures


The Company provides non-GAAP financial measures to complement its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP.  These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement the user's overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and its prospects for the future.  Specifically, the Company believes the non-GAAP results provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding realized gains or losses, net of taxes that, when excluded from the GAAP results, may provide additional understanding of the Company's core operating results or business performance.  However, these non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to supersede or replace the Company's GAAP results.  A reconciliation of the non-GAAP results to the GAAP results is provided in the "Reconciliation of GAAP Income from Continuing Operations to Non-GAAP Income from Continuing Operations” schedule below.  Operating results reported on a non-GAAP basis exclude realized gains or losses net of applicable income taxes.


About Independence Holding Company

IHC is a holding company principally engaged in the life and health insurance business and the acquisition of blocks of policies through its insurance company subsidiaries (Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York and Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc.), its affiliate (American Independence Corp. (NASDAQ: AMIC)), and its managing general underwriters, third-party administrators, and marketing affiliates.  Standard Security Life markets medical stop-loss, small group major medical, short-term medical, major medical for individuals and families, limited medical, group long and short-term disability and life, dental, vision and managed health care products. Madison Life sells group life and disability, employer medical stop-loss, small group major medical, major medical for individuals and families, short-term medical, dental, vision, and individual life insurance.   AMIC is a holding company principally engaged in the insurance and reinsurance business through Independence American Insurance Company and its managing general underwriter division.

Certain statements in this news 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 which 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.







 


INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health

$

71,858 

$

66,296 

$

144,512 

$

136,208 

 

Life and annuity

 

9,826 

 

8,421 

 

18,826 

 

17,523 

 

Net investment income

 

11,156 

 

12,276 

 

21,801 

 

24,117 

 

Fee income

 

10,218 

 

10,346 

 

21,417 

 

20,533 

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

(15,087)

 

582 

 

(14,973)

 

1,002 

 

Equity income from AMIC

 

389 

 

562 

 

790 

 

1,097 

 

Other income

 

958 

 

1,055 

 

1,363 

 

2,457 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

89,318 

 

99,538 

 

193,736 

 

202,937 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance benefits, claims and reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health

 

48,758 

 

47,010 

 

98,306 

 

93,954 

 

Life and annuity

 

12,857 

 

11,490 

 

24,093 

 

23,589 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

35,941 

 

32,402 

 

72,710 

 

66,780 

 

Amortization of deferred acquisitions costs

 

1,955 

 

1,611 

 

3,409 

 

2,919 

 

Interest expense on debt

 

909 

 

1,062 

 

1,895 

 

2,118 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100,420 

 

93,575 

 

200,413 

 

189,360 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

before income taxes

 

(11,102)

 

5,963 

 

(6,677)

 

13,577 

 

Income taxes (benefits)

 

(4,409)

 

2,188 

 

(3,056)

 

4,638 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(6,693)

 

3,775 

 

(3,621)

 

8,939 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

 

154 

 

 

(408)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$

(6,693)

$

3,929 

$

(3,621)

$

8,531 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(.43)

$

.25 

$

(.24)

$

.59 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

 

.01 

 

 

(.03)

 

Basic income (loss) per common share

$

(.43)

$

.26 

$

(.24)

$

.56 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

15,388 

 

15,193 

 

15,359 

 

15,187 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(.43)

$

.25 

$

(.24)

$

.59 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

 

.01 

 

 

(.03)

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share

$

(.43)

$

.26 

$

(.24)

$

.56 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

15,388 

 

15,336 

 

15,359 

 

15,341 

 

As of August 8, 2008, there are 15,421,189 common shares outstanding, net treasury shares.                         





Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to reflect the results of discontinued operations.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO NON-GAAP INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)



 

 

 Three Months Ended

 

 Six Months Ended

 

 

 June 30,

 

 June 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(6,693)

$

3,775 

$

(3,621)

$

8,939 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized gains (losses) net of taxes

 

(9,702)

 

366 

 

(9,714)

 

662 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Operating income from continuing operations

$

3,009 

$

3,409 

$

6,093 

$

8,277 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non - GAAP basic income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Operating income from continuing operations

$

.20 

$

.22 

$

.40 

$

.55 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non - GAAP diluted income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Operating income from continuing operations

$

.20 

$

.22 

$

.40 

$

.54 




Included in realized losses net of taxes for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008 are $11,145,000 or $.72 per share, diluted, and $11,197,000 or $.73 per share, diluted, respectively, from other than temporary impairments primarily due to the write down in value of preferred stocks of certain financial institutions.


Footnotes

1 Operating income excludes net realized investment gains (losses). The Company believes that the presentation of operating earnings may offer a better understanding of the core operating results of the Company.  A reconciliation of net income to operating income is presented as an attachment to this press release.