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) November 9, 2009


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 November 9, 2009, Independence Holding Company issued a news release announcing its 2009 third-quarter and nine months 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 November 9, 2009: Independence Holding Company Reports 2009 Third-Quarter and Nine 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)



By: Teresa A. Herbert




/s/ Teresa A. Herbert

Teresa A. Herbert

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


Date:


November 10, 2009




2







INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

CONTACT:  DAVID T. KETTIG

96 CUMMINGS POINT ROAD

(212) 355-4141 Ext. 3047

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06902

www.IHCGroup.com

NYSE: IHC

 


NEWS RELEASE


INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY REPORTS THIRD-QUARTER AND NINE MONTHS RESULTS



Stamford, Connecticut, November 9, 2009. Independence Holding Company (NYSE: IHC) today reported 2009 third-quarter and nine months results.  This press release contains both GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for which reconciliations can be found at the end of this release.

Financial Results


Net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to IHC increased to $.12 per share, diluted, or $1,876,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $(.61) per share, diluted, or $(9,456,000), for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  Included in the prior year’s net loss is a realized loss for other than temporary impairments of investments of $(10,136,000) or $(.66) per share, diluted, net of tax which (net of gains) yielded a net realized loss of $(10,945,000) or $(.71) per share, diluted, net of tax.  


Net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to IHC increased to $.47 per share, diluted, or $7,208,000, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $(.85) per share, diluted, or $(13,077,000), for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Included in the prior year’s net loss for the nine months is a realized loss for other than temporary impairments of investments of $(21,334,000) or $(1.39) per share, diluted, net of tax which (net of gains) yielded a net realized loss of $(20,729,000) or $(1.35) per share, diluted, net of tax.  


IHC reported operating income1 per share of $.10 per share, diluted, or $1,528,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $.10 per share, diluted, or $1,489,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  IHC reported operating income per share of $.33 per share, diluted, or $5,093,000, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $.50 per share, diluted, or $7,653,000, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  


Revenues increased 14% to $93,082,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2008 of $81,934,000. Revenues increased 6% to $293,052,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 of $275,670,000.  The prior year’s revenues for the three-month and nine-month periods were decreased by $15,783,000 and $33,256,000, respectively, of other-than-temporary losses, net.












Chief Executive Officer’s Comments


Roy Thung, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Even in the current challenging economy, our financial condition remains strong. Our insurance companies’ statutory surplus at September 30, 2009 is at an all-time high. The Company’s book value per share increased 36% to $14.33 at September 30, 2009 from $10.56 at December 31, 2008, primarily due to an improvement in our investment portfolio. Moreover, our stockholders equity at September 30, 2009 was $221 million as compared to $223 million at December 31, 2007, the period before the onset of the current financial crisis.  Our investment portfolio is rated on average AA.“


Mr. Thung continued, ”Our operating income was adversely impacted by unexpectedly large health claims, and a reduction in our top line due to recessionary pressures and the late development in our stop-loss segment from our 2007 and 2006 treaty years by certain non-owned MGU’s that have been terminated.  In response to the decrease in premiums and increase in loss ratio in the fully insured segment, we have initiated a restructuring of that division, which we believe will result in significant cost reductions and improved underwriting results beginning in 2010.



Non-GAAP Financial Measures


The Company provides non-GAAP financial measures to complement its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP: (i) Operating income is income from continuing operations net of losses attributable to non-controlling interests and excluding net realized gains or losses, net of applicable income taxes, (ii) Operating income per share is operating income (loss) on a per share basis.  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.


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 agencies and 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

THIRD QUARTER REPORT

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$

71,742 

$

76,932 

$

225,256 

$

240,270 

Net investment income

 

11,303 

 

11,887 

 

33,450 

 

33,688 

Fee income

 

7,184 

 

9,351 

 

24,705 

 

30,768 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

553 

 

(1,355)

 

3,480 

 

1,145 

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

 

(15,783)

 

(271)

 

(33,256)

Equity income from AMIC

 

76 

 

297 

 

1,004 

 

1,087 

Other income

 

2,224 

 

605 

 

5,428 

 

1,968 

 

 

93,082 

 

81,934 

 

293,052 

 

275,670 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance benefits, claims and reserves

 

55,467 

 

59,471 

 

172,086 

 

181,870 

Selling, general  and administrative expenses

 

33,820 

 

35,444 

 

106,481 

 

108,196 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

1,001 

 

1,419 

 

3,351 

 

4,828 

Interest expense on debt

 

701 

 

900 

 

2,232 

 

2,795 

 

 

90,989 

 

97,234 

 

284,150 

 

297,689 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

before income taxes (benefits)

 

2,093 

 

(15,300)

 

8,902 

 

(22,019)

Income taxes (benefits)

 

212 

 

(5,836)

 

1,709 

 

(8,892)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

1,881 

 

(9,464)

 

7,193 

 

(13,127)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

49 

 

708 

 

(305)

 

708 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (loss)

 

1,930 

 

(8,756)

 

6,888 

 

(12,419)

(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

subsidiaries

 

(5)

 

 

15 

 

50 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC

$

1,925 

$

(8,748)

$

6,903 

$

(12,369)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

.12

$

(.61)

$

.47 

$

(.85)

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

-

 

.04 

 

(.02)

 

.05 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per common share

$

.12

$

(.57)

$

.45 

$

(.80)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

15,423

 

15,421 

 

15,417 

 

15,380 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income(loss) per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

.12

$

(.61)

$

.47 

$

(.85)

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

-

 

.04 

 

(.02)

 

.05 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share

$

.12

$

(.57)

$

.45 

$

(.80)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUTSTANDING

 

15,429

 

15,421 

 

15,420 

 

15,380 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of November 6, 2009, there were 15,423,164 common shares outstanding, net of treasury shares.







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

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)



 

 

 Three Months Ended

 

 Nine Months Ended

 

 

 September 30,

 

 September 30,

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

1,881 

$

(9,464)

$

7,193 

$

(13,127)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Income) loss from non-controlling interest in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

subsidiaries

 

(5)

 

 

15 

 

50 

Realized (gains) losses net of taxes

 

(348)

 

809 

 

(2,115)

 

(604)

Other-than temporary impairment losses, net of taxes

 

 

10,136 

 

 

21,334 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Operating income from continuing operations

$

1,528 

$

1,489 

$

5,093 

$

7,653 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non - GAAP basic income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Operating income from continuing operations

$

.10 

$

.10 

$

.33 

$

.50 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non - GAAP diluted income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Operating income from continuing operations

$

.10 

$

.10 

$

.33 

$

.50 




Included in the realized gains (losses), net of taxes, above are IHC’s proportionate share of AMIC’s realized gains (losses) net of taxes. The other-than-temporary impairment losses are primarily due to the write down in value of preferred stocks of certain financial institutions, fixed maturities (primarily Alt-A securities) and common stocks.

Footnotes

1

 Operating income is a non-GAAP measure representing income from continuing operations net of losses attributable to non-controlling interests and excluding net realized investment gains (losses), net of applicable income tax. The Company believes that the presentation of operating income may offer a better understanding of the core operating results of the Company.  A reconciliation of income from continuing operations to operating income is included in this press release.