PMA Capital Reports Improved Operating Results from Ongoing Operations, Charge for Anticipated Sale of Run-off Operations

PMA Capital Corporation (NASDAQ:PMACA) today reported the following financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2007:   Three months ended Year ended December 31, December 31, (in thousands, except per share data) 2007   2006   2007   2006 Operating income $ 2,816   $ 664 $ 14,383   $ 4,521 Realized gains after tax   368       146   366       805   Income from continuing operations 3,184 810 14,749 5,326 Income (loss) from discontinued operations after tax   (40,746 )     21   (57,277 )     (1,275 ) Net income (loss) $ (37,562 )   $ 831 $ (42,528 )   $ 4,051     Diluted per share amounts: Operating income $ 0.09 $ 0.02 $ 0.45 $ 0.14 Realized gains after tax   0.01       0.01   0.01       0.02   Income from continuing operations 0.10 0.03 0.46 0.16 Income (loss) from discontinued operations after tax   (1.28 )     -   (1.78 )     (0.04 ) Net income (loss) $ (1.18 )   $ 0.03 $ (1.32 )   $ 0.12     Book value per share, end of period $ 11.92     $ 12.83     Vincent T. Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "The PMA Insurance Group grew profitably in competitive market conditions by continuing to focus on service-oriented product delivery. Significant operating achievements included: For the fourth quarter, pre-tax operating income increased to $7.6 million, compared to $5.0 million in the same period last year, and increased to $38.0 million for full year 2007, compared to $26.1 million in 2006; The full year 2007 combined ratio was 99.7%; Direct premiums written, excluding production from our agreement with Midwest Insurance Companies, were up 10% quarter-to-date and 8% for the full year; and New business written, excluding Midwest production, increased 21% to $23.1 million in the fourth quarter and increased 27% to $114.6 million for the full year 2007, compared to the same periods last year.” Mr. Donnelly continued, "In our fee-based businesses, we achieved an organic revenue growth of 11% at PMA Management Corp. and also completed the acquisition of Midlands at the beginning of the fourth quarter. As a result, fee-based revenues increased to 12% of our total revenues in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to 7% in the fourth quarter of 2006. Midlands’ contribution to our results was in line with our initial estimates.” "We are pleased with the positive momentum in our businesses and the improvements in our operating metrics at these businesses in 2007. We believe the previously announced divestiture of the Run-off Operations is in the best interests of our shareholders. We look forward to the finality that a sale of this business will bring so that we can focus all of our efforts on our ongoing businesses,” added Mr. Donnelly. "On March 2, 2008, our arrangement with Midwest Insurance Companies will terminate. Although this will result in a decrease in direct premiums written, this business will continue to have a positive impact on our operating results in 2008, as we will continue to earn fee income until the underlying policies expire. We have entered into one fronting arrangement smaller than Midwest in the first quarter of 2008 and believe that we will write more of these programs this year.” Mr. Donnelly concluded, "We believe that our businesses are well positioned for profitable growth in 2008 relative to our 2007 results. We expect a return on equity of between 5.5% and 6.5% on our ongoing businesses in 2008.” As the Company previously announced, it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to sell its Run-off Operations and expects to execute a sales agreement in the first quarter of 2008. The transfer of ownership will be subject to regulatory approval. As a result of the expected sale, the Company has recorded all of the activity related to its Run-off Operations as discontinued operations. The Company recorded an after-tax impairment loss of $40.0 million, or $1.26 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2007, as the book value of its Run-off Operations was greater than the net proceeds it expects it will receive in a sale. On December 11, 2007, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania approved the settlement of the securities class action, In re PMA Capital Corporation Securities Litigation (Civil Action No. 03-6121). The settlement made no admission of liability or wrongdoing by the Company or its officers and directors. The amounts necessary to fund this settlement have been paid by insurance carriers for the Company. Income from continuing operations included the following after-tax net realized gains:     Three months ended Year ended December 31, December 31, (dollar amounts in thousands) 2007   2006   2007   2006 Net realized gains (losses) after tax:   Sales of investments $ 441 $ (106 ) $ (1,220 ) $ 570 Change in fair value of trading securities - - 2,093 - Change in fair value of debt derivative (57 ) 253 (314 ) 303 Other   (16 )     (1 )   (193 )     (68 ) Net realized gains after tax $ 368     $ 146   $ 366     $ 805                   Segment Operating Results Operating income, which we define as net income (loss) under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) excluding net realized investment gains (losses) and results from discontinued operations, is the financial performance measure used by our management and Board of Directors to evaluate and assess the results of our businesses. Net realized investment activity is excluded because (i) net realized investment gains and losses are unpredictable and not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance of the business segments and (ii) in many instances, decisions to buy and sell securities are made at the holding company level, and such decisions result in net realized gains and losses that do not relate to the operations of the individual segments. Operating income does not replace net income (loss) as the GAAP measure of our consolidated results of operations. The following is a reconciliation of our operating results to GAAP net income (loss).     Three months ended Year ended December 31, December 31, (dollar amounts in thousands) 2007   2006   2007   2006 Pre-tax operating income (loss):   The PMA Insurance Group 1 $ 7,614 $ 4,983 $ 38,045 $ 26,082 Fee-based Business 1,669 738 3,724 2,802 Corporate & Other 2   (5,003 )     (5,081 )   (19,564 )     (21,580 ) Pre-tax operating income 4,280 640 22,205 7,304 Income tax expense (benefit)   1,464       (24 )   7,822       2,783   Operating income 2,816 664 14,383 4,521 Realized gains after tax   368       146     366       805   Income from continuing operations 3,184 810 14,749 5,326 Income (loss) from discontinued operations after tax 2   (40,746 )     21     (57,277 )     (1,275 ) Net income (loss) $ (37,562 )   $ 831   $ (42,528 )   $ 4,051                   1) Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2007, the results of The PMA Insurance Group no longer include those of PMA Management Corp. The results of PMA Management Corp. are currently included within the segment results of our Fee-based Business. For comparative purposes, the financial results of The PMA Insurance Group and PMA Management Corp. have been reclassified in all prior periods to reflect this change. 2) Effective in the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company reported the results of its former Run-off Operations segment as discontinued operations. As a result of this change, the Corporate and Other segment was impacted by investment income previously eliminated in the Corporate and Other segment. For comparative purposes, all prior periods have been reclassified to reflect this change. The PMA Insurance Group The PMA Insurance Group reported pre-tax operating income of $7.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to $5.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. Full year pre-tax operating income was $38.0 million, compared to $26.1 million in 2006. Direct premiums written were $91.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, up from $84.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. For the year ended December 31, 2007, direct premiums written increased to $510.3 million, compared to $431.6 million for the same period last year. Included in direct premiums written for the fourth quarter and full year 2007 were $12.8 million and $59.8 million of California workers’ compensation business produced under our agreement with Midwest Insurance Companies ("Midwest”), compared to $12.7 million and $14.8 million for the same periods last year. Our renewal retention rates on existing workers’ compensation accounts for the fourth quarter and full year 2007 improved to 86% and 87%, respectively, compared to 85% for the same periods in 2006. We wrote $28.8 million of new business in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to $31.7 million during the same period last year, while our new business for full year 2007 increased to $166.0 million, compared to $105.2 million for 2006. Included in new business for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2007 was $5.8 million and $51.5 million of Midwest business, compared to $12.7 million and $14.8 million for the same periods last year. On March 2, 2008, our agreement with Midwest will terminate. We will continue to earn fees and service the business previously written, but no additional business will be written or renewed after the termination date. Net premiums written increased to $71.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to $66.9 million in the same period last year. Full year net premiums written increased to $395.3 million, compared to $373.7 million during the same period in 2006. Ceded premiums written increased for full year 2007 primarily due to our cession of the California workers’ compensation premiums written under our agreement with Midwest and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the amount of workers’ compensation business sold to captive accounts, where a substantial portion of the direct premiums are ceded. The combined ratios on a GAAP basis were 101.6% and 99.7%, respectively, for the fourth quarter and full year 2007, compared to 104.3% and 102.1% for the same periods in 2006. The improvement in the combined ratio for the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to the prior year, was primarily the result of an improved operating expense ratio. The full year improvement in the combined ratio from 2006 primarily reflected a lower loss and LAE ratio as well as an improved expense ratio, partially offset by a higher policyholders’ dividend ratio. The improved loss and LAE ratio for full year 2007 was primarily due to a lower current accident year loss and LAE ratio, compared to 2006. While our underwriting criteria remained consistent in 2007, our current accident year loss and LAE ratio continued to benefit from changes in workers’ compensation products selected by our insureds and a reduced amount of integrated disability and assumed premiums in 2007. Pricing changes coupled with payroll inflation for rate sensitive workers’ compensation business were slightly below overall estimated loss trends. We estimated our medical cost inflation to be 7% during 2007, compared to our estimate of 8.5% in 2006. We believe workers’ compensation medical inflationary trends are generally lower in 2007 relative to 2006. In addition, the medical cost inflation rate has declined due to our enhanced network and managed care initiatives. However, we expect that medical cost inflation will continue to be a significant component of our overall loss experience. The policyholders’ dividend ratio was higher for full year 2007 than in the prior year. The current year reflected better loss experience, which resulted in larger dividends on participating products where the policyholders may receive a dividend based, to a large extent, on their loss experience. Fees earned under our agreement with Midwest reduced the 2007 acquisition expense ratios by 90 and 70 basis points for the quarter and full year periods. Although our agreement with Midwest will terminate in March 2008, we will continue to earn fee income on this business until the underlying policies expire. The improved operating expense ratios in the fourth quarter and full year 2007 reflected lower loss based state assessments and a reduction in the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance. Controllable expenses, which include salaries, benefits and other headcount-related expenses, grew by 4% in 2007, compared to the 8% growth rate in direct premiums written. Net investment income increased to $9.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to $9.0 million in the prior year quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2007, net investment income increased by $3.1 million to $37.9 million, compared to the same period in 2006. The improvements in 2007 were due primarily to higher yields on an increased invested asset base. Fee-based Business On October 1, 2007, we acquired Midlands Management Corporation ("Midlands”), an Oklahoma City-based managing general agent, program administrator and provider of third party administrator ("TPA”) services. As a result of this acquisition, we reported the combined operating results of PMA Management Corp. and Midlands as our Fee-based Business segment. All prior periods have been reclassified to reflect this change. Our operating results include only the operating results of Midlands from the date of acquisition. Our Fee-based Business reported pre-tax operating income of $1.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to $738,000 for the same quarter last year. Pre-tax operating income for full year 2007 was $3.7 million, compared to $2.8 million a year ago. The increases primarily related to the inclusion of Midlands’ results. For the fourth quarter of 2007, total revenues increased to $14.8 million, up $7.5 million from the same period last year. Revenues resulting from our acquisition of Midlands accounted for $6.5 million of this growth. The increase for the quarter reflected higher claims service revenues of $4.2 million and commission income of $3.0 million. Total revenues for full year 2007 were $38.1 million, compared to $28.5 million in 2006. Revenues from PMA Management Corp. increased 11% for full year 2007, compared to 2006. Corporate and Other The Corporate and Other segment, which includes primarily corporate expenses and debt service, recorded net expenses of $5.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to $5.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Net expenses were $19.6 million for full year 2007, down from $21.6 million for the same period in 2006. The improvement for full year 2007 was primarily due to lower interest expense, which resulted from a lower average level of debt outstanding in 2007, compared to the prior year. Discontinued Operations Discontinued operations, formerly our Run-off Operations which consists of our former reinsurance and excess and surplus lines businesses, recorded after-tax losses of $40.7 million and $57.3 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2007, compared to after-tax income of $21,000 and an after-tax loss of $1.3 million for the same periods in 2006. Results for the fourth quarter and full year 2007 reflected an impairment loss of $40.0 million. Full year results also included an after-tax charge of $14.3 million for prior year loss development recorded in the third quarter. Financial Condition Total assets were $2.6 billion as of December 31, 2007, compared to $2.7 billion as of December 31, 2006. Assets of discontinued operations represented 15% of total assets at December 31, 2007. Shareholders’ equity was $378.6 million as of December 31, 2007, compared to $419.1 million as of December 31, 2006. Book value per share decreased 91 cents during 2007 to $11.92 as of December 31, 2007. The decreases in both shareholders’ equity and book value per share were primarily due to the $57.3 million, or $1.78 per share, net loss from our discontinued operations, which largely resulted from the fourth quarter impairment loss and the third quarter loss reserve charge. These decreases were partially offset by $14.7 million in income from continuing operations, a $6.1 million increase in the net unrealized position on our investment portfolio and a $4.6 million after-tax decrease to our pension liabilities. The unrealized position on our available for sale invested asset portfolio increased due to lower market interest rates. Book value per share also benefited from the positive impact of share repurchases, as more fully described below. In May 2007, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10.0 million of our Class A Common Stock. During the fourth quarter and full year 2007, we repurchased 159,380 and 986,522 shares at a total cost of $1.4 million and $10.0 million, respectively. At December 31, 2007, we had $38.2 million in cash and short-term investments at the holding company. As of December 31, 2007, our total outstanding debt was $131.3 million, compared to $131.2 million at December 31, 2006. Subsequent to December 31, 2007, we retired the remaining $1.3 million principal amount of our 6.50% Convertible Debt for which we paid $1.5 million, exclusive of accrued interest. We are currently in process of releasing the covenants related to this debt that restrict our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock and pay dividends. Any future share repurchases or dividends are subject to authorization by our Board of Directors. The PMA Insurance Group had statutory capital and surplus of $335.4 million as of December 31, 2007, compared to $321.2 million as of December 31, 2006. The PMA Insurance Group has the ability to pay $29.2 million in dividends during 2008 without the prior approval of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. The statutory capital and surplus of PMA Capital Insurance Company ("PMACIC”), PMA Capital Corporation’s wholly-owned run-off reinsurance subsidiary which is being reported as discontinued operations, was $47.6 million as of December 31, 2007, compared to $121.6 million as of December 31, 2006. The reduction in PMACIC’s statutory capital and surplus was due primarily to its extraordinary dividend payment of $37.5 million to PMA Capital in April 2007 and its 2007 statutory net loss. Conference Call with Investors As a reminder, we will hold a conference call with investors beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, February 22nd to review our fourth quarter and full year 2007 results. The conference call will be available via a live webcast over the Internet at www.pmacapital.com. To access the webcast, enter the Investor Information section, click on News Releases and then click on the microphone icon. Please note that by accessing the conference call via the Internet, you will be in a listen-only mode. The call-in numbers and passcodes for the conference call are as follows:   Live Call Replay 888-679-8033 (Domestic) 888-286-8010 (Domestic) 617-213-4846 (International) 617-801-6888 (International) Passcode 44681894 Passcode 86606624   You may pre-register for the conference call using the following link: www.theconferencingservice.com/prereg/key.process?key=PVVMKUX3T Pre-registering is not mandatory but is recommended as it will provide you immediate entry into the call and will facilitate the timely start of the conference. Pre-registration only takes a few moments and you may pre-register at anytime, including up to and after the call start time. Alternatively, if you would rather be placed into the call by an operator, please use the dial-in information above at least 15 minutes prior to the call start time. A replay of the conference call will be available over the Internet or by dialing the call-in number for the replay and using the passcode. The replay will be available from approximately 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, February 22nd until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, March 21st. Quarterly Statistical Supplement Our Fourth Quarter Statistical Supplement, which provides more detailed historical information about us, is available on our website. Please see the Investor Information section of our website at www.pmacapital.com. You may also obtain a copy of this supplement by sending your request to:   PMA Capital Corporation 380 Sentry Parkway Blue Bell, PA 19422 Attention: Investor Relations   Alternatively, you may make a request by telephone (610-397-5298) or by e-mail to InvestorRelations@pmacapital.com. We will also furnish a copy of this news release and the Statistical Supplement to the SEC on a Form 8-K. A copy of the Form 8-K will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may include estimates, assumptions or projections and are based on currently available financial, competitive and economic data and the Company’s current operating plans. Although the Company’s management believes that its expectations are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the Company’s actual results will not differ materially from those expected. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to: adverse property and casualty loss development for events that we insured in prior years, including unforeseen increases in medical costs and changing judicial interpretations of available coverage for certain insured losses; our ability to increase the amount of new and renewal business written by The PMA Insurance Group at adequate prices or revenues of our fee-based businesses; our ability to have sufficient cash at the holding company to meet our debt service and other obligations, including any restrictions such as those imposed by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department on receiving dividends from our insurance subsidiaries in an amount sufficient to meet such obligations; any future lowering or loss of one or more of our financial strength and debt ratings, and the adverse impact that any such downgrade may have on our ability to compete and to raise capital, and our liquidity and financial condition; our ability to effect an efficient withdrawal from and divestiture of the reinsurance business, including the sale of the entity and commutation of reinsurance business with certain large ceding companies, without incurring any significant additional liabilities; adequacy and collectibility of reinsurance that we purchased; adequacy of reserves for claim liabilities; whether state or federal asbestos liability legislation is enacted and the impact of such legislation on us; regulatory changes in risk-based capital or other standards that affect the cost of, or demand for, our products or otherwise affect our ability to conduct business, including any future action with respect to our business taken by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department or any other state insurance department; the impact of future results on the recoverability of our deferred tax asset; the outcome of any litigation against us; competitive conditions that may affect the level of rate adequacy related to the amount of risk undertaken and that may influence the sustainability of adequate rate changes; our ability to implement and maintain rate increases; the effect of changes in workers’ compensation statutes and their administration, which may affect the rates that we can charge and the manner in which we administer claims; our ability to predict and effectively manage claims related to insurance and reinsurance policies; uncertainty as to the price and availability of reinsurance on business we intend to write in the future, including reinsurance for terrorist acts; severity of natural disasters and other catastrophes, including the impact of future acts of terrorism, in connection with insurance and reinsurance policies; changes in general economic conditions, including the performance of financial markets, interest rates and the level of unemployment; uncertainties related to possible terrorist activities or international hostilities and whether TRIPRA is extended beyond its December 31, 2014 termination date; and other factors or uncertainties disclosed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements in this press release. Forward-looking statements are not generally required to be publicly revised as circumstances change and we do not intend to update the forward-looking statements in this press release to reflect circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.   PMA Capital Corporation GAAP Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)       Three months ended December 31, (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) 2007   2006   Gross premiums written $ 94,914   $ 89,327   Net premiums written $ 71,189   $ 66,716   Revenues: Net premiums earned $ 93,617 $ 87,222 Claims service revenues 11,239 7,058 Commission income 3,005 - Net investment income 9,973 9,149 Net realized investment gains 566 225 Other revenues   168     42 Total revenues   118,568     103,696   Expenses: Losses and loss adjustment expenses 66,152 61,841 Acquisition expenses 18,027 17,486 Operating expenses 24,629 20,158 Dividends to policyholders 1,916 510 Interest expense   2,998     2,836 Total losses and expenses   113,722     102,831   Pre-tax income   4,846     865   Income tax expense (benefit): Current (321 ) - Deferred   1,983     55 Total income tax expense   1,662     55   Income from continuing operations   3,184   810   Income (loss) from discontinued operations after tax   (40,746 )   21   Net income (loss) $ (37,562 ) $ 831   Net income (loss) per share:   Basic: Continuing Operations $ 0.10 $ 0.03 Discontinued Operations   (1.28 )   0.00 $ (1.18 ) $ 0.03   Diluted: Continuing Operations $ 0.10 $ 0.03 Discontinued Operations   (1.28 )   0.00 $ (1.18 ) $ 0.03   PMA Capital Corporation GAAP Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)     Year ended December 31, (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)   2007       2006     Gross premiums written $ 524,172   $ 455,756     Net premiums written $ 394,698   $ 373,001     Revenues: Net premiums earned $ 378,243 $ 367,403 Claims service revenues 34,034 27,853 Commission income 3,005 - Net investment income 39,592 35,851 Net realized investment gains 563 1,239 Other revenues   340     244   Total revenues   455,777     432,590     Expenses: Losses and loss adjustment expenses 263,199 262,297 Acquisition expenses 73,747 73,726 Operating expenses 76,541 70,971 Dividends to policyholders 7,790 3,532 Interest expense   11,732     13,521   Total losses and expenses   433,009     424,047     Pre-tax income   22,768     8,543     Income tax expense: Current 416 - Deferred   7,603     3,217   Total income tax expense   8,019     3,217     Income from continuing operations   14,749   5,326   Loss from discontinued operations after tax   (57,277 )   (1,275 )   Net income (loss) $ (42,528 ) $ 4,051     Net income (loss) per share:   Basic: Continuing Operations $ 0.46 $ 0.17 Discontinued Operations   (1.78 )   (0.04 ) $ (1.32 ) $ 0.13     Diluted: Continuing Operations $ 0.46 $ 0.16 Discontinued Operations   (1.78 )   (0.04 ) $ (1.32 ) $ 0.12     PMA Capital Corporation GAAP Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)               December 31,   December 31, (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)   2007       2006   Assets: Investments: Fixed maturities available for sale $ 728,725 $ 718,865 Short-term investments   78,426     61,180   Total investments 807,151 780,045   Cash 15,828 9,498 Accrued investment income 5,768 5,495 Premiums receivable 222,140 200,164 Reinsurance receivables 795,938 720,110 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 32,361 25,611 Deferred income taxes, net 118,857 100,019 Deferred acquisition costs 37,404 36,239 Funds held by reinsureds 42,418 33,432 Intangible assets 22,779 - Other assets 105,341 81,096 Assets of discontinued operations   375,656     674,698   Total assets $ 2,581,641   $ 2,666,407     Liabilities: Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 1,212,956 $ 1,152,704 Unearned premiums 226,178 202,973 Debt 131,262 131,211 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 195,895 156,745 Reinsurance funds held and balances payable 39,324 27,000 Dividends to policyholders 5,839 4,450 Liabilities of discontinued operations   391,603     572,231   Total liabilities   2,203,057     2,247,314     Shareholders' Equity: Class A Common Stock 171,090 171,090 Additional paid-in capital 111,088 109,922 Retained earnings 136,627 184,216 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (6,663 ) (20,624 ) Treasury stock, at cost   (33,558 )   (25,511 ) Total shareholders' equity   378,584     419,093   Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 2,581,641   $ 2,666,407     Shareholders' equity per share $ 11.92   $ 12.83