American Independence Corp. Announces 2012 Fourth-Quarter and Annual Results

NEW YORK, March 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Independence Corp. (Nasdaq:AMIC) today reported 2012 fourth-quarter and annual 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 attributable to AMIC increased to $7.2 million ($.87 per share, diluted), for the three months ended December 31, 2012, compared to $0.5 million ($.06 per share, diluted), for the three months ended December 31, 2011. Due to our profitability in 2012 and projected continuing profitable results, AMIC's net income and operating income for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012 were positively impacted by an increase of $5.9 million in the deferred tax asset related to our federal net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs").

Revenues increased to $29.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2012, compared to revenues of $21.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011, primarily due to an increase in premiums.

Net income attributable to AMIC increased to $9.6 million ($1.16 per share, diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $2.5 million ($.29 per share, diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2011. Revenues increased to $101.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to revenues of $88.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, primarily due to an increase in premiums.

The Company's operating income1 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 was $1.5 million ($.19 per share, diluted), as compared to $0.7 million ($.08 per share, diluted) for the three months ended December 31, 2011. Operating income was $5.3 million ($.64 per share, diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $3.5 million ($.41 per share, diluted) for the year ended December 31, 2011.

1 Operating income is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as net income attributable to AMIC excluding non-cash charges related to the amortization of certain intangible assets recorded in purchase accounting, net realized investment gains and losses, and the federal income tax charge and reduction of valuation allowance related to deferred tax asset. 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.

Chief Executive Officer's Comments

Roy Thung, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We continue to experience growth and improved loss ratio results in our stop-loss line from business underwritten by IHC Risk Solutions. We are excited by the growth and returns on our pet line of business and our expansion into new lines of business, including non-subscriber occupational accident and international insurance, and our new direct-to-consumer tools and distribution platforms. Our financial condition and balance sheet remain strong. We have no debt and have grown our book value to $12.59 per share at December 31, 2012 from $11.36 per share at December 31, 2011."

Valuation Allowance Relating to the Deferred Tax Asset

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company further reduced the valuation allowance relating to the deferred tax asset, which caused a corresponding increase in such deferred tax asset. The valuation allowance relates to the likelihood that AMIC might not be able to fully utilize its prior tax year federal NOLs. AMIC reviews the valuation allowance on a quarterly basis to determine the reasonableness of the amount. Based upon AMIC's profitability in 2012 and projections of future profitable results, it was appropriate to further reduce the valuation allowance in the fourth quarter of 2012 in the amount of $5.9 million, which resulted in an increase in net income. 

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 net income attributable to AMIC excluding non-cash charges related to the amortization of intangible assets recorded in purchase accounting, net realized investment gains (losses), and the federal income tax charge related to deferred taxes due to its federal net operating loss carryforwards, and (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 identifying certain expenses 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 American Independence Corp.

AMIC, through Independence American Insurance Company and its other subsidiaries, offers major medical for individuals and families, medical stop-loss, small group major medical, short-term medical, various supplemental products, pet insurance, and non-subscriber occupational accident and international coverages. AMIC provides to the individual and self-employed markets health insurance and related products, which are distributed through its subsidiaries, IPA Family, LLC, healthinsurance.org, LLC, and IHC Specialty Benefits, Inc. AMIC markets medical stop-loss through its marketing and administrative company IHC Risk Solutions, LLC.

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 AMIC operates, new federal or state governmental regulation, AMIC's ability to effectively operate, integrate and leverage any past or future strategic acquisition, and other factors which can be found in AMIC's other news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AMIC expressly disclaims any duty to update its forward-looking statements or earnings guidance, and does not undertake to provide any such guidance in the future.

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE CORP.
FOURTH QUARTER REPORT
December 31, 2012
(In thousands except per share data)
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
2012 2011 2012 2011
Premiums earned $23,706  $17,875  $83,778  $72,448 
Fee and agency income  4,692  2,842  15,441  12,647 
Net investment income 544  459  2,126  2,189 
Net realized investment gains 403  197  603  520 
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings --  (69) (189) (89)
Other income  26  73  126  323 
Revenues 29,371  21,377  101,885  88,038 
Insurance benefits, claims and reserves  15,911  11,652  56,849  47,768 
Selling, general and administrative expenses  10,988  8,577  37,875  34,924 
Amortization and depreciation 237  210  509  855 
Expenses 27,136  20,439  95,233  83,547 
Income before income tax 2,235  938  6,652  4,491 
State income tax (43) (39) (81) (49)
Federal income tax - current and deferred (672) (259) (1,929) (1,258)
Federal income tax - reduction of valuation allowance 5,900  --  5,900  -- 
Net income 7,420  640  10,542  3,184 
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest (262) (133) (950) (690)
Net income attributable to American Independence Corp. $7,158  $507  $9,592  $2,494 
Basic income per common share:
Net income attributable to 
American Independence Corp. common stockholders $.87  $.06  $1.16  $.29 
Weighted-average shares outstanding 8,272  8,434  8,272  8,497 
Diluted income per common share:
Net income attributable to 
American Independence Corp. common stockholders $.87  $.06  $1.16  $.29 
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding 8,272  8,434  8,272  8,497 
As of December 31, 2012 there were 8,272,332 common shares outstanding, net of treasury shares.
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE CORP.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO NON-GAAP
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
(In thousands except per share data)
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
2012 2011 2012 2011
Net income attributable to AMIC  $ 7,158  $ 507  $ 9,592  $ 2,494
Amortization of intangible assets related to purchase accounting 30 34 124 135
Net realized investment gains (403) (197) (603) (520)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings -- 69 189 89
Federal income tax charge related to deferred taxes for operating income 647 291 1,868 1,258
Reduction of valuation allowance related to deferred tax asset (5,900) -- (5,900) --
Operating Income from continuing operations $ 1,532 $ 704 $ 5,270 $ 3,456
Non - GAAP Basic Income Per Common Share: $ .19 $ .08 $ .64 $ .41
Non - GAAP Diluted Income Per Common Share:  $ .19  $ .08  $ .64  $ .41
American Independence Corp.
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